A lot of people dismiss Christianity as just another religion. But it’s not. And I’m here to show you why.
(Yes, I just gave all you awesome readers an abrupt start. Forgive me, lovely lords and ladies. But please read on.)
When people think of Christianity, a lot of times they think of religion. It’s right up there with Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Mormonism, Judaism…and all those.
But Christianity? It’s not the same. Really. I hesitate to consider it a religion, even though that may be upsetting to some.
Because there is something that stands out about Christianity that other religions do not have.
Freedom and Sincerity.
“But Amanda,” you say, “I’m a Mormon, and I’m very sincere.”
I am sure you are. After all, belief in something is much more than just words. Saying the words “I believe” do not ensure that you actually do, for all that it proves is that you have a voice and a mind.
But freedom? I will explain that in a minute.
I’d like to point out a few things about the Christian life.
First of all, God knows we are not perfect. He knows that we are sinners and, by nature, turn away from Him.
Romans 3:23
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
But yet, He extends grace to us, at our darkest. And by receiving that, sin has no power over us anymore.
Romans 6:14
“For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.”
And, in turn, we are changed from the inside out.
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
Did anyone hear anything about good works earning anything in there? Obligations? Our performance?
Uh, I sure didn’t.
So as I was saying, we have freedom.
Freedom from the power of sin and death over us.
Freedom from eternal life and righteous standing before God being based on works.
Freedom to live for God because of gratitude to Him for your salvation.
Not because you’re locked into tradition.
Not because Mom and Dad make you go to church so that hopefully, religion will rub off on you.
Not because you have obligations to live up to so that you’ll go to Heaven when you die.
Because of the freedom you’ve been given, sincerity springs from that.
And that’s why Christianity is different.
Why we look different. Why act different. Why we are motivated to live a pure and holy life.
Perhaps in the future, I’ll write some blog posts reflecting on other religions.
What I can say is this, however.
I’m not religious.
I’m a Jesus-lover, for He loved me first and pursued my soul.
I’m not living to please God because I have to.
I live to please God because it brings me joy, and the only joy that’ll ever last.
I’m not bound by obligations.
I’m set free by the love of my Creator for me.
1 Peter 2:16
“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.”
And that’s what I want to do.
*aj
Scattered Journal Pages 
Hello! Nice post, Amanda. I’m glad to find someone else who doesn’t equate Christianity with religion. It feels like so often, people try to class you under a certain umbrella – I’d rather them just see that I love Jesus 🙂 I really like your blog, by the way 😉
LikeLike
Hi Ellie! 😀
Yes, exactly! In world religions, it’s about what people do to be saved, whereas in Christianity, it’s about what Jesus has already done. Amen. Let us show the world that we love Jesus, and not rituals.
Thanks for coming to my blog and commenting. Nice to “see” you!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Glory to God.
LikeLike
I’m glad you found it helpful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hate that word “religious” too. Like, it makes me literally bristle. Because it sounds so…stiff and unrealistic. And that’s not what it’s like. At all. This reminds me of a song by Jason Gray, actually. It’s called “More Like Falling in Love” and part of it goes:
“I need more than
A truth to believe
I need a truth that lives
Moves and breathes
To sweep me off my feet, it’s gotta be
More like falling in love
Than something to believe in
More like losing my heart
Than giving my allegiance”
And then a bit later:
“Cause all religion
Ever made of me
Was just a sinner
With a stone tied to my feet
It never set me free”
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it is. Stiff and unrealistic. Hung up on do’s and don’t’s and earning things.
I love that song! I find freedom to be my driving motivation in living my Christian life, as weird as that may sound. 🙂
LikeLike
Great post, Amanda. Last night I was listening to a talk which said that all religion are about either, a set of ideas that you believe, what things you do, or what you feel(such as a spiritual experience).
Christianity is different. It is about who we are. We are a new creation.
Also in man’s religions it does matter who the prophet or holy man was. Anyone would have done.
Jesus’ message was about himself. He is the I AM. If you take Christ out of Christian, you are left with just Ian and he can’t save you.
LikeLike
Thanks, Bria.
Exactly. Christianity is different. Jesus’ message was that all may come to God through Him by believing, and not following a bunch of steps, obeying some “good moral teacher” or anything like that.
…you’re right. Ian can’t save you. I’m glad about that. 😀
LikeLike
Hey Amanda sorry I haven’t read your blogs post for a while. I sorry to hear that your mum broke her hip.
I’m not religious, I do what I do not because I love God and want to serve him. Some people who say they are religious may think that they have to be to please there God and the people around them.
LikeLike
You’re fine! And thank you. She’s slowly recovering.
Yes, we do what we do out of love for God in gratitude of what He has done for us! I find it freeing to know that it’s not about what I do, but what He has done. 🙂
LikeLike