Pastor Chris,
What is your definition of religion and what is your religion?
~ Lauren
Answer
Lauren,
Religion has to do with man’s efforts to reach God. Christianity teaches that man cannot reach God by his own efforts or on his own merit. The Bible says that “all our righteous acts are like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). In other words the best that we can do is not good enough. Christianity presents God reaching down to man to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. God does this by providing a Savior who is the express image of Himself (Colossians 1:15). He does this out of love and grace (unmerited favor). Therefore Christianity is not a religion; it is a relationship. It is a personal relationship with God.
Pastor Chris