Christianity Is Not a Religion but a Relationship

Religion is generally a set of beliefs and rules whereby one can follow and attain holiness and be qualified to go to heaven after one death.

However, Christianity is about relationship - relationship with Jesus.
Relationship with Jesus is obtained by believing in Jesus and accepting Him as Saviour and Lord.

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Believing in Jesus is:

1. He died on the cross to pay for our sins.
2. He was resurrected to give us new life--- God's kind of life, ZOE life, of which eternal life is an attribute.
3. Jesus is Man and God. As man, taking man's place, to die on the cross, to fulfill the laws, that we man may be saved.
4. Jesus as God in defeating the devil and death caused by sin and being resurrected (by the power of the Holy Spirit), and making a show of them.

Updated 1 Aug 2023:

With religions, the founder is not as important as the teachings. 
With Christianity, if we take away Jesus, the teaching is empty.

1 Cor 15:1-2 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain... 

17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

 

Updated 25 Jun 2024:

With the availability of Generative AI like ChatGPT, Gemini, etc., we can use them to distill the learning from our text even more. This post is fed into ChatGPT and below are the expanded points from it:

The idea that "Christianity is not a religion but a relationship" emphasizes the personal and intimate connection believers are encouraged to have with Jesus Christ. This perspective contrasts with the view that religion is a system of rules, rituals, and practices aimed at attaining holiness or salvation.

Here are some key points from this perspective:

1. Relationship Over Rituals: Christianity focuses on a personal relationship with Jesus rather than merely following a set of religious rituals and rules. This relationship is characterized by faith, trust, and love for Jesus, who is believed to be both God and Savior.

2. The centrality of Jesus: In Christianity, Jesus is central to the faith. Without Jesus, the teachings and beliefs of Christianity lose their meaning. The importance of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection is foundational to the Christian faith, as highlighted in the cited verses, such as John 3:16 and 1 Corinthians 15:1-2, 17-19.

3. Salvation Through Faith: According to this viewpoint, salvation in Christianity is not achieved through human efforts or adherence to rules but through faith in Jesus Christ. Believers accept Jesus as their Savior, acknowledging His sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection, which provides them with eternal life.

4. Eternal Life: The concept of eternal life, or "ZOE" life, is an attribute of the new life believers receive through their relationship with Jesus. This life is characterized by a deep, transformative connection with God.

5. Contrast with Other Religions: The statement also draws a distinction between Christianity and other religions, suggesting that while other religions may focus more on the teachings and practices, Christianity is unique in its emphasis on the person of Jesus Christ and the relationship with Him.
   

It is good to learn from our learning with feedback from Generative AI engines.