Are we faithful to God because our innermost desire it to be faithful to Him? Are we faithful to God because we experience a closeness and tranquility with Him that we have come to conclude exists in no other? Are we faithful to God because unfaithfulness would create angst and turmoil in our divine connection to Him? Are we faithful to God because faithfulness pleases Him?

There is a disconnect that exists between religion and faith. There is a smugness and ego that Satan utilizes to lull Christ’s followers into thinking that somehow we have arrived. Somehow we’ve got it all together. Somehow we’ve got it figured out (and think this through . . . somehow we can have God figured out?!) That somehow if we’re “following the rules” (our understanding of the rules) we are living up to God’s desire for our lives. This immature perspective of faith is ultimately fueled by Satan. Because he can con us into thinking that relationship with God is a system of belief, or a structure of “do’s” and “don’ts”, we will never reach our potential as those who have been forever transformed by the message of Jesus. As those who are continually transformed by the Spirit of Christ.

Relationship is deeper. Love and adoration in a relationship comes not from that which is external, but rather from that which is deep within the heart. This is true of any relationship. But especially in and of our relationship with God. Genuine. Whole-hearted. Deep faith. Abiding faith. Maturity of faith, that is what we are after.

This disconnect does not only impact us in a negative way. How can we communicate the relevance of Christ in our lives to others, if this relevance is lost on us? And if the un-churched have one complaint it is that the church is not relevant. Is it possible that we have some responsibility in that? May we glorify God in our lives! — from an article by Jason Reeves, West Erwin church of Christ, Tyler, TX