When I moved to the North East United States three years ago I was excited that I was going to get to live in a place where people were progressive and innovative. When I thought of the North East I thought of big cities, fashion, the worlds best leaders, commerce and things being on the cutting edge. However, when I arrived I noticed that while this was mostly true for the world of business, TV and fashion, the world of the church was largely different.
I was told that the North East was more traditional when it came to church. Well I’ve been here three years and while it is true that most churches are a little more traditional, I don’t think the vast majority of Christians are traditional. I see church attendance decreasing by the day and it isn’t tradition that is doing it. I would say most people attending churches on a Sunday morning in the North East are religious!
There is a difference between being religious and being a person of faith. Some of you may say, well I’m not religious! I’ll put you to the challenge. Below are a list of differences between religion and faith. I pray this challenges you to seek faith not religion!
- Religion is a weekly duty – Faith is a daily passion
- Religion burns you out – Faith gives you energy and vitality
- Religion remains with the status quo – Faith challenges the status quo
- Religion is going to church- Faith is being the church
- Religion fills a void – Faith fills a whole life
- Religion empties a church – Faith fills a church
- Religion is controllable – Faith is uncontrollable
- Religion is all about numbers and finances – Faith is about life-change
- Religion is boring and unattractive – Faith a fun, exciting and appealing
- Religion helps you make decisions – Faith is your decision
And finally religion is what Jesus stood against – Faith is what Jesus died for!
I don’t know if you’re a religious person or a person of faith, but I don’t believe you can be both! I challenge you to choose to seek a life of faith.
So are you ready to journey down the path to seek a life-giving faith that will not only transform your life but also the lives of the people you meet everyday!
