Embracing a Lifestyle Beyond Religion

Religion, relationship, or lifestyle? The motto for many Christians is; “Christianity isn’t a religion, it’s a relationship.” And they get this idea from Jesus Himself. He calls His followers, friends and brothers. The “Church” is described as the “Bride of Christ.” So there is good reason to use a motto that pulls on the idea of relationship. Religion in our culture has become a byword for rigidity, ritual, rules and regulations, requiring strict adherence. So yes when you put the two side-by-side, relationship is far more appealing than religion.

The definition of religion is: a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs; the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith; strict faithfulness; devotion.

The definition of relationship is: a connection, association, or involvement; connection between persons by blood or marriage; an emotional or other connection between people.

When one reads John 15:15; “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” It is easy to see the idea of relationship. Also, the idea of relationship makes it feel like a partnership. In a partnership there are two-sides, generally equal and therefore autonomous, moving freely, within the relationship.

Two friends are having a conversation, “What are you doing tonight?” friend one asks friend two. “I don’t have any plans, just gonna go home and watch TV, maybe get takeout on my way.” Friend two reply’s. “You want to grab a bite together and then hit up downtown, there’s a block party tonight?” He asks, adding, “And I don’t want to go alone.” Friend two hesitates, “Come on, it will be fun.” Friend one pushes. Finally, friend two relents, “Ok, I’ll go.” Regardless of how this conversation ends up it is two individuals, making individual decisions.

Religion is as defined a rigid devotion to the rules. If the religious leader says, do this, a good devout religious person, will do it. Wash your hands this way, before eating. In order to join our order you must do this or that in this order, no exception. You must follow these rules precisely or you will need to ritually cleanse yourself. It is focused and it is one-way. One is simply an observer in a collective observance of said religious practices. A participant in the pre-ordained ritualistic rites. No conversation, no friendship, just instruction.

But what does Scripture teach us about the dynamics of this faith that we have? In the beginning, we read that there was a relationship so close-knit that Adam recognized the footsteps of God in the garden. We see the Angel of the God having a meal with Abraham. Even disclosing what was about to take place, the judgement of Sodom and Gomorrah. We see a burning bush and Moses, then later a pillar of fire by night and cloud by day. We see a covenant established between God and the people of Israel. A set of instructions given that if they obeyed them they would be blessed. But, if they did not obey them they would be cursed.

Israel was to be the Nation to the nations, a city set on a hill that drew all nations to God. A priestly nation, each with a particular part based on the tribe they were from. Yet, even it what appears to be the establishment of Religion we see that it was still wrapped in a fundamental desire to have a relationship. David, who is said, “a man after God’s own heart,” writes in Psalm 4 a plea.

“O God, my vindicator! Answer me when I call! When I was distressed, you set me free; now have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.” This is not the cry of religion this is the cry of a relationship. He continues, “Men of rank, how long will you shame my honor, love what is vain, case after lies? Understand that Adonai sets apart the godly person for Himself; Adonai will hear when I call to Him. You can be angry, but do not sin! Think about this as you lie in bed, and calm down. Offer sacrifices rightly, and put your trust in Adonai.”

This reminds me of what the Prophet Micah wrote; “With what can I come before Adonai to bow down before God on high? Should I come before Him with burnt offerings? with calves in their first year? Would Adonai take delight in thousand of rams with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Could I give my firstborn to pay for my sin, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? O man, you have already been told what is good, what Adonai requires of you – no more than to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”

David finishes Psalm 4 with this: “Many ask, ‘Who can show us some good?’ Adonai, lift the light of Your face over us! You have filled my heart with more joy than all their grain and new wine. I will lie down and sleep in peace; for, Adonai, you alone make me live securely.“

Adonai Elohim, has always desired relationship with His creation. He does however do so with a purpose. There is order, there is righteousness, there is Holiness. He being loving, made away for Israel and later to all the world through Messiah Yahoshua. So this beings us back to the religion or relationship? And to that I say, yes! We began with John 15:15 “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” However, just before this He says, “You are my friends if you do what I command.“

If we take religion and relationship we get a lifestyle. The definition of lifestyle is: the habits, attitudes, tastes, moral standards, economic level, etc., that together constitute the mode of living of an individual or group.

This is why I have chosen “a lifestyle not a religion” over the common catchphrase, “not religion but a relationship.” Some would say this is simply semantics, and they wouldn’t be entirely wrong. However, like the conversation between two individual friends, there is autonomy. However, when we enter into covenant with the Father we are agreeing to live by a set standard. We are taking on the lifestyle of Yahoshua, “fixing our eyes on the Initiator and Completer of that Faith, Yahoshua – who, in exchange for obtaining the joy set before Him, endured death on a tree as a criminal, scorning the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of Elohim.”

It is His lifestyle that we are to carry. We are called to be Ambassadors of the Kingdom. Living in the world but not of the world. We are to be the shining city on a hill, that beacon of light that draws the nations back to Elohim. We are His chosen people, a royal priesthood, ministering to the poor and needy, the nobles and the kings. Living set apart lives as Adonai instructed in His Word. That same Word taught by the Apostles. One continuous letter to humanity, from the Creator of all things. His call for us to return to His Way. Dying to ourselves we put on the new self, the lifestyle of our King Yahoshua, that is marked by obedience.

John 15:9-14 –
“As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Now remain in My love. If you keep My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.”

The way of the Rabbi, a lifestyle not a religion, for a lifestyle outlives every label.

You are loved,
cj