“When you attempt to live by your own religious plans and projects, you are cut off from Christ, you fall out of grace. Meanwhile we expectantly wait for a satisfying relationship with the Spirit. For in Christ, neither our most conscientious religion nor disregard of religion amounts to anything. What matters is something far more interior: faith expressed in love.” (Galatians 5:4-6 MSG)
I have two laptops that have different operating systems: Windows and Chrome. I keep both of them on my desk and use them interchangeably. Recently, I noticed that the Windows laptop was not charging properly--the cord was malfunctioning. Fortunately, the other laptop’s cord had similar specs, so I started plugging one laptop in while using the other. There was only one problem: I left both chargers plugged into the same outlet and would inadvertently use the broken cord somedays. After a few instances of completely drained batteries, I learned my lesson. I unplugged the glitchy charger and threw it out.
Religion may look similar to a relationship with Christ, but it operates differently. Legalism, rituals, and traditions can work initially, but not in the long run. When we attempt to live by our own religious plans and projects, we are cut off from Christ. Disconnected from the true source of power, we fall out of grace. Meanwhile we expectantly wait for a satisfying relationship with the Spirit, to be recharged, renewed, and filled with strength. Unless we put away the old methods, we will inadvertently reach for the familiar cords of religion, even though they are broken. This leaves us drained and powerless. For in Christ, neither our most conscientious religion nor disregard of religion amounts to anything. What matters is something far more interior: faith expressed in love. In union with Christ, our souls receive power. Trusting Him confidently, we learn to rely on nothing else. Our faith works through love--a desire to yield fully to God, so that He may work His purposes through us.
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