Whilst awake early in the morning one night, our Lord was inspiring me to meditate upon the Two R’s  in our Christian walk. It helped me to see some things the way He does. Praise His Name. I pray that this simple Truth may help others the way it helped me. Choosing one or the other can have quite a different impact on our lives. 

Religion or Relationship

What do we choose to follow?

Religion, which guides you under striving and law

or

Relationship, which guides you under Grace and love for God

The simple truth is that we need to fulfil the commands of God, but we will never achieve it by following the law.

Jesus said

“I will write my law within their hearts and I will be THEIR GOD and they will be MY PEOPLE”
(Jeremiah Ch 31v 33) 

It’s personal.

We will find that we carry out the law moved by the love and grace of Jesus towards us.  God does not abolish the law but fulfils it in and through us, motivated by Divine Love.

In other words, it is a personal relationship with our Lord and Saviour Jesus, who is able to fulfil the law for us, that matters. His law now resides in our hearts. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians ch 4 v 13)

As we relate to Jesus, we will find that we will begin to love Him and we will quite naturally (or supernaturally!), find we will want to obey and carry out His commands not because we ‘have to’ but because we love Him and want to.

The more we grow in love for Him, we will find that we will develop an unconditional love for others and the more we will have the strength and ability to fulfil the desires of His Heart.

As we give Him special time in His Presence, He will then have our full attention when He is able to show us how much He loves us personally and what we mean to Him

“ We love Him because He first loved us”
( 1 John ch 4 v 19 ) 

This is ‘heart’ knowledge as revealed by the Holy Spirit and not just head knowledge.

As we follow these thoughts through, the Holy Spirit will speak to us in different ways. It will enlighten us to our personal and daily walk with Jesus.

Are we walking through life, working for Jesus, or allowing Him to fulfil HIS Mission through us, by His Grace and for His Glory?

My reading for that day  – Psalm 25 v 14-15 – had confirmed His word for me personally and I pray that it may be a help to us as a fellowship in Him.

The Lord confides in those who fear Him
He makes His covenant known to him
My eyes are ever on the Lord
for only He will release me from the snare

“The Lord is a Friend to those who fear Him”

God offers intimate and lasting relationship. (Life Study Bible)

Confides. Gives them access to God’s purposes (NIV Study Bible)

Confidence in the Lord’s friendship. The faithful have a close and intimate relationship (ESV Study Bible)

Margaret Knight