I've been told Christianity is a relationship and not a religion. What is that supposed to mean?

Question

And how does this make it not a religion?

Answer 1

haha it's sort of an expression. christians are urged to create a relationship with christ so they can rely on him for help and grace. however, christianity in all its many forms is indeed religion. christianity is both a relationship and a religion.

Answer 2

A religion is an institution created by man.
True Christianity is a personal relationship with Christ.
Prayer is talking to God.
Reading the Bible is God talking to you.
As you go along in this relationship, talking and listening, you will have experiences in which you feel God talk to you, specifically. Sometimes that happens while reading the Bible, sometimes during prayer and sometimes when you are just walking along.
One time, when my son was very little, I was in a community clinic in a big city and this place was noted for taking 12 hours to get a bandaid. My son was sick and needed to be seen. I was broke and we had no food and no money for food. We were just sitting there and out of the throng of people came this woman I had never seen. She handed me a bag of tacos and said that when she had been buying hers that morning, God had told her to buy extra because she would see someone today that didn't have any food and when she saw me, He had told her I was the one. If He didn't really tell her, how did she know? There were easily over 100 people in that lobby.
So, as you develop your relationship with Christ, He goes beyond just talking with you, He reaches out and does things. He also asks you to do things. I am very grateful that woman, whom I never saw again, obeyed that quiet voice she knows as her Master. When I have had bad things happen and started to doubt, as we all will, remembering that real thing that happened reminds me that my faith is not in some void, but a real, living God.

Answer 3

What many Christians don't realize is that there are three levels to a relationship with Jesus Christ: a hireling, a servant, and a friend. Hirelings are the entry level Christians who don't no a thing about Christ and only serve Him for what He can do for them i.e. salvation from hell. They can be compared to the children of Israel in the book of Exodus. Unfortunatley most Christians never ascend beyond this level.
Next is the servant. These are people who actually serve God simply because He is God and they read Matt 7: Not everyone who says Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of Heaven, only those who actually DO the will of My Father will enter. See, these people are legalistic in there approach to God. They do what they do because someone told them to and they're scared of hell.
Finally there are friends of God. After following Jesus for over three years Jesus told the disciples that He no longer called them servants but friends. These are those who do what they do because of who they're after.
When you become a Christian you are then in the process of becoming the bride of Christ.(see 1 Peter) What kind of bride doesn't spend time getting to know her groom. (this would bring up the question is Jesus gay? The answer is no, there are no genders in spirit.) How do you get to know Christ? Talk to Him, that is what prayer is. Just talk to Him like you were talking to a friend. Also read about Him, that is what the Bible is for. John 1 says that the Word became flesh.

I hope that answers your question.

Answer 4

my opion for what it is worth... there are alot of religions. but all they are is a way to look at worship. not how you feel in your heart and soul. you can only be a christian if you have a true relationship with god. how do you do that?? well you talk to him. about everything. just as you would your best friend. you tell him when you have wronged someone. or when you feel you have done something you should not have... etc. just like you would the most trusted friend. you ask for forgiveness because in wrong doing you do him wrong also. you say he does not answer... well he does! just not in words. he hears and he knows... all!! just as he gave all!! talk to him.. call it prayer or call it conversation. but talk to him to have a relationship with god. that is truely the relationship your looking for. then find a religion or church who has the same beliefs you do. be it babtist,catholic or what ever. hope this makes so sense to you. god bless !!mouse

Answer 5

The goal of being a Christian is to lead a Christ-like life, showing deference and respect not only to God but to all His/Her creations. This would, of course include loving each other. It's possible to be a Christian without subscribing to the 'rules' of organized religions simply by following Christ's example. This is the basis of most non-denominational churches.

Answer 6

Christianity in it's best form is a relationship between yourself and Christ. He speaks to you through His word (the Bible) and you speak to Him through prayer. Religion is more a set of rules that you have to follow. Although the Bible does teach what is right and wrong, which could be seen as rules, a true relationship with Him will have you wanting to follow his guidelines... not being miserably forced to.

Answer 7

christianity is an organized system of beliefs and customs about God making it a religion. Yet, it is also a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This way we know God as a loving forgiving mercifull father

Answer 8

The 4 gospels are the historic books contained in the recent testomony. each and each and every of those writers gave a historic record of the happenings contained in the days of Jesus. They each and each and every gave their rendition of what occurred from their personal element of view. Historians attempt this. Mark and Luke received't have witnessed the genuinely activities, yet like maximum historians they accumulated the information from the perfect sources accessible. considering those 4 books are the nearest to the genuinely activities, they're the most good sources as to what actual occurred. There are also pagan historians which have made references to Jesus. It sounds like your pastor has had some type of psychological damage down. It occurs. i'm 80 years previous. i'm a school graduate. i'm a scientist, I actual have analyzed the scriptures as historic files, and placed them good. i believe contained in the theological accuracy of the bible, yet bear in mind that the bible is likewise a artwork of literature. some circumstances issues are said as info, now and again a putting forward is meant to be sarcastic, or ironic in tone. The bible in a human record inspired by technique of God. God expects us to apply our brains because he made our brains.. it is why expertise is so puzzling. i'm praying for you on your journey.

Answer 9

whoever told u that is leaving some parts out
Christan's have a relationship with god by praying and reading the bible
the religion is just what u believe in

Answer 10

Search me. Sounds like they didn't know what they were talking about. Christianity is definitely a religion.