Religion as Relationship

   Of all the things said about recent statements made by Duck Dynasty’s Phil Roberson, a little-commented-upon remark made by a Public Relations expert on TV annoyed me the most.

   He said, “he used religion as a weapon, and not the tool it’s meant to be”. 

   This is not a kind thing to say about religion.  It says that true religious behavior is something we use to serve us., like a useful tool we can pick up or put away, depending on what serves us best.

   It is why some Christians describe their faith as not a religion, but as a God-centered relationship.

   Jesus came to seek and to save the lost.  That’s the good news.

   We serve others in his Name.  We do not use it to get what we want.

   We do not celebrate slavery to ourselves, but the freedom we have been given in Jesus Christ.