RELIGION VS GENUINE RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST*
SEPTEMBER 5, 2025
TEXT: Matthew 15:8-9
*KEY VERSE:* _This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; But their heart is far from me._ Matthew 15:8
Today’s teaching borders on discerning between mere religious activities and maintaining a solid relationship with God Almighty. Religion is all about church-related activities which emphasize “works” rather than “walk”, e.g. going to all church services regularly, sweeping the house of God, donating to the church of God, attending concerts, etc. All these are undoubtedly very good and are, in fact, sure sources of blessings to the individuals involved in them. However, it is apposite to state that for us to be closely knitted spiritually with our God, we must be very intentional about moving from a stage of working for God to walking with God.
Maintaining a solid relationship with God entails totally forsaking our sins, doing everything possible to live a life of holiness and purity, and so many others. It is quite unfortunate to realize that today, we do have more of religious fellows rather than believers. Let’s take a look at the lives of the Pharisees in the scriptures. They prayed, fasted, gave alms, attended the synagogue and also engaged in all manners of religious activities. However, it is quite unfortunate that most of us believers largely focus on external matters rather than the intricate matters of the kingdom. Christians still freely engage in prostitution, fornication/adultery, masturbation, pornography, stealing in office, fighting, cursing, unforgiveness, etc. I have bad news for you, however. Any person who embodies all acts of physical works without total adherence to things of the Spirit, such a person is actually a notorious hypocrite.
*KEY FACTS*
1. You may be a Bible teacher in your church, but once you have no special relationship with Christ, you are not any different from a secular teacher.
2. A gospel teacher without any personal relationship with Christ is merely an entertainer.
3. An usher without a relationship with Christ is not any different from a bus conductor.
4. You may be a pastor or overseer but if you have no relationship with God, it’s just a matter of time before you fall totally. When the Apostles were first called “Christians” in Antioch, it was because of their positive spiritual life and not their religious works.
*SEARCHLIGHT*:
God is desirous that we become closely intimate with him rather than just outwardly showing religious traits.
*PRAYER*:
O Lord, help me to follow you in truth and in spirit, in the mighty name of Jesus.
*BIBLE READING*:
Isaiah 61-63, Matthew 24.
*PASTOR MICHAEL OMOLE*
