Isn't it funny and a little weird and super sweet when something you just read in His word comes up during your day? That somehow something you spent time reading in the morning is somehow touched upon again that very day? Or vice versa where you are thinking about something and then God sheds light on that matter in His word or in prayer. Crazy. Coincidence? I think not! (I just really wanted to say that...:) ) Anyhow, something of that sort happened to me today. The idea that "it is natural to be religious, but it is supernatural to to be a Christian" came up in the scripture I read this morning. In Timothy 3:5 it says (in NLT version) 'They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly." I interpret that to mean pretty much what that bumper sticker quote means. It is a scary thing to allow the supernatural to lead your life. Perhaps this is one of the many reasons why we as humans often try to maintain control in our lives by naturally acting religious. SO what is the difference between being religious and being a Christian?
I think it is very difficult to see the distinction between the two in the world we live in today. Yet, now that I think about it, the distinction was fuzzy in the past as well. The Pharisees in the NT were very much religious, but far from being Christians. Though they had all of the scriptures memorized by heart and did their best to follow the biblical Laws, due to their hardened hearts and spiritual blindness they did not see God when he stood as Jesus before their eyes.
I think to go beyond being just naturally religious is to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, AND to also sincerely tell the Lord that you are ready to make the effort that a two sided relationship requires. That you know that by accepting Jesus into your life, change has to happen. And althought God can give you the strength, will power, desire, and motivation to get off your butt and do something, he can not and does not desire to do it for you or force you to do it. Nuh uh. God knows that growth will happens faster, will be built on a more stable foundation, and your roots of faith will grow deeper in Him if you act as the agent of change and put in your own effort (for example, sitting down and asking for God to help you to understand His word and then taking the initiative yourself to read it).
..... so thats all I got for now, this is most likely not the end of this thought... it will come up again probs.
Thank you Lord for the amazing time each day of learning about our purpose, who you originally created us to be, and the true hope that is found in your Son, Jesus Christ our Savior.