Religion Versus Relationship
Submitted by Clay Sikes

Recently while jogging, and quite unexpectedly, the Holy Spirit began speaking to me about R-E-L-I-G-I-O-N in the Christian Church. The Holy Spirit said, "Religion will always create an agenda that serves self (man) and those with a true relationship will always create an agenda that serves Me." As I pondered this, my thoughts seemed to expand as the Holy Spirit opened up the dichotomy between these two opposing forces - religion and relationship.

Those who are trapped by the snare of religion not only lack a true relationship, but will also oppose those who do. This diabolical opposition is stimulated by an innate hatred of anything free. Those who have a true relationship hate the sin a religious spirit can produce without hating the sinner; realizing that but for the grace of God, the blinders of religion could be over their eyes as well. Religious spirits will always blindly persecute Jesus (those in an abiding relationship) with a great sense of justification and purpose. While we seldom see murderous attacks in the modern day American church, we often see rejection and distancing, as well as accusation and anger. Religion promotes the laity clergy divide, the top down hierarchical form of leadership that only acknowledges its appointed leadership, while those in relationship promote the equality of the five-fold ministry and the callings of all of God's people irrespective of position.

Religion will always create an agenda that serves self by acts of JUSTIFICATION (the creation of programs, rules, and personal agendas) and DEFIANCE (hostility against anything or anybody offering the slightest opposition to its programs, rules, or doctrine). It is important to note that this spirit is responsible for the formation of denominations and is the sole source of the competitiveness between churches, pastors, and the brethren today. THE VERY NATURE OF THIS SPIRIT IS TO DIVIDE. Much of the Institutional Church is bound in religion spawned by years of existing traditions; traditions found within the confines of a system birthed by men for men. Division is the opposite of unity and Satan knows that when the Church comes together in U-N-I-T-Y, a corporate anointing (power) WILL BE RELEASED TO THE CHURCH, the likes of which this earth has never seen.

In order to uncover R-E-L-I-G-I-O-N, let us begin to identify it by its nature and identifiable characteristics. Those operating in a religious spirit are given to pride and will hide sin, finding it hard to ever admit guilt, no matter the glaring truth. Those who have found HIM will acknowledge sin and be quick to repent. The religious tend to blame others for failures, while those in relationship are quick to accept the responsibility of their failures. Religion's primary focus is external (what can be seen), while those in relationship have an internal focus (communion with God). The religious like to talk about what they are doing for God, while those in relationship like to talk about what God is doing for them. The religious will focus on acquiring and building structures, while those in relationship will focus on meeting and building people. The religious are stationary (traditional), while those in relationship are migratory (ever changing).

The religious mindset seems always to seek authority over men, while those in relationship seek to be under the authority of God. The religious seek an identity that titles bring, while those in relationship seek to lose even their own identity. Religious men rally around the vision of men, while those in relationship will only rally around the vision of Jesus. Religious men seek direction from their soul (intellect), while those in relationship seek direction from God's Spirit.

The most notable difference in a man in relationship and a man of religion is MOTIVE. Many of those who have entered into a true relationship with the Father have come to the realization that it isn't what they do, but why they do it. They have come to realize that anything that is not done to the glory of God is done for the wrong reasons. The have further come to realize that cowardice to face hard issues creates an eventual frustration that dissipates spiritual energy. They have learned not to kick against the goads, but rather humble themselves under the mighty hand of God and say, "Not my will but your will Lord; show me your will in this." They accept the "hard places" that God often puts them in without complaint, knowing that their steps have been ordered and that all things are being worked for their good. It is on this point that I close with an appropriate quote from Arthur Burt.

"God will permit in His wisdom what He could have prevented in His power…He often will not change the anxiety of our situation until our attitude changes. We must bow to the shrine of His wisdom and say 'AMEN LORD! You have allowed this.' Once we embrace it for our good, we will be set free internally…"

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