This is a topic that has been on my heart for a long time and I have been waiting on the Lord to give me the words, but now is the time.

I’m very saddened that there are people that are being deceived by the enemy in thinking that they are right with God, when really they are not.

Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord”, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?” And then will I declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.”

“I never knew you”…let’s reflect on this for a moment. Jesus is saying you did all these works but at the end of the day, I still didn’t have a relationship with you…I never KNEW you. How do you honestly know someone if you don’t have a first hand relationship with them?? All the works, good deeds, rituals, ceremonies and everything else still does not equal a first hand relationship with someone.  The people Jesus is referring to do not have a real relationship with Him, all they have is an empty religion.

Religion cannot take the place of relationship. We are able to have an actual personal relationship with God through His Son Jesus. Jesus bridged the gap between our Holy God and us sinners. The only way for us to know God and for God to know us is by having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Believing in God, going to church every Sunday, and reading the Bible is not enough to secure your eternal rest in Heaven with the Father. The ONLY way to spend eternity with God the Father, is to accept, follow and have a personal relationship with His Son Jesus. In John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

I have a personal relationship with Jesus. I not only have faith in Him as my Savior, but I trust Him with every aspect of my life.  I love Him, I tell Him about my good days and my bad days, I ask for His help, I laugh with Him and I cry with Him. BUT…a relationship cannot be one sided. Here’s the really amazing part… even though I can’t see Him, He makes His presence very known in my life and shows me that He loves me too. He brings me peace and comfort in the bad days and joy in the good days, he answers my pleas for help, and reminds me of hope through the tears. To me He is a parent, a friend, a provider, a helper, a teacher…sometimes when I think of Him, I refer to Him as “my Jesus”… it’s personal to me…HE’S personal to me. In order to completely surrender your life over to someone and agree to follow them regardless of what you’re asked to do or go through, it HAS to be personal!

Do not be deceived by your religion – the only way to the Father is through the Son. When we confess our sins and ask for forgiveness – we must bring them directly to Jesus, our Redeemer.

Friends, if you are feeling that you are missing something from your “religion”- you’re feeling that way for a reason. You’re missing out on Jesus. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ came “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). If you are feeling like you are unfulfilled in your beliefs, your religion or your church…that’s because our Lord is seeking you and wants to save you. He is calling you to a personal relationship with Him…answer the call. Step out in faith, it’s time to get personal…