Being or Doing? (Relationships or Religion)

By: Nancy Abiera

 

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
Many people may not be clear about these phrases “being and doing”. Just like when I was still young in the Philippines, my life was like the Old Testament. I knew the Heavenly Father up in heaven yet clueless as to what He can do here on earth. I was basically practicing religion out of obligation rather than living a life worshipping and loving my Creator.
Also, I only see the Bible displayed in the altar but never had a chance reading, praying or meditating on the words of God in the scripture. Later on I learned that the Bible is God’s love letter to all of us.
On the reverse, if I may just expound on this: Being in a relationship means connecting with God through personal love and grace in Jesus, His only begotten son. This is where there is intimacy and strong connection interactively communicating on a two way level.
In contrast, doing religion means we feel obligated trying to please God by following outward rigid rules and rituals.
However, relationship with God is about receiving freely His unconditional love revealing to us what He can do, what He had done and what He will do.
To emphasize simply, it is in complete honor with a heartfelt spiritual connection with God as opposed to autopilot mechanical and futile and counter-productive compliance making us feel self-righteous having a form of godliness yet denying the true power from God.
Doing Religion is performing which is self-centered on human effort and outward actions. It treats faith like a to do checklist.
• Focused on Rules: We comply and perform following rigidly a strict set of laws and traditions which is the do’s and dont’s of religion.
• Trying & Earning Favor: We try to prove you do good enough through your own efforts and works.

• Outward Performance: We worry more about how we appear to others than our actual inner character, and identity.
• Routine and Duty: You attend services and say prayers out of obligation and out of fear Which many call FOMO Fear Of Missing Out.
On the other hand, let me clarify the other side of the coin.
Being in a Relationship because we are God’s masterpiece Is God-centered in Jesus by knowing God as a personal friend. It relies on what God has already done for you through grace. God send His own Son for our salvation, transformation and full restoration back to God Himself. Thus, we • Focused on Love: We live and act out of love and gratitude rather than fear, anxieties and worries.
• Receiving a Free Gift: we accept forgiveness and love as a free gift that we do not have to earn. We focus our attention to pray and not pay through good works.
• Inner Change: Our heart changes as we follow God willingly and obediently transforming us from the inside out through daily prayer and fellowship.
• Trusting and Walking Together: We talk to God honestly by trusting Him to guide our daily life while walking in alignment with Him.
Going back memory lane, when I left the Philippines 42 years ago, my life in Chicago radically changed. It was like my New Testament life where I was introduced to Jesus. Someone led me to pray as I opened my heart to Jesus receiving Him as my Savior, Lord and Master.
I just prayed a very simple short prayer: Jesus I need you, I now open my heart to you and invite you to be my Savior. I paused and felt inside my heart Jesus coming in where I felt so much love and grace which made me shed tears of joy.
This experience activated my connection with God so profoundly enlightening that I could not explain what happened. I realized I was so hungry for God that led me to read and meditate the Bible. This undertaking made me realize that my parents lived the Bible even I never witnessed them read the Bible. This somehow
prepared me greatly in better understanding God’s love and all of His promises in His word. The Bible is truly God’s love letter to us. As I felt His love so deeply, I responded truly loving Him back. It was awesome that many including myself was so surprise with a big turn around in my life …
The “Self-created Nancy Died in the flesh of the World” got transformed to “God-created Nancy Birthed in the Spirit of the Word in Jesus”.
Moreover, these are simple short phrases to describe:
– Nancy’s “Past-to” “Pastor” Nancy
– Nancy’s “Crisis” to Knowing who “Christ-is”
– Nancy’s “Religiosity” to Jesus’ “Relationship”
– Nancy’s “Mess” to God’s “Mess-age”
– Nancy’s “Brokenness” to God’s “Breakthrough”
– Nancy’s “Pride” to God in Jesus’ “Bride”
– Nancy’s “Disappointments”to God as “His-appointments”
What about you?
The choice is yours !!!
Let’s pray:
Lord Jesus, thank you for your forgiveness and continuously reaching out giving us your love, joy, peace, etc. Forgive us for not fully trusting you. Guide me as I continue to walk in alignment to your perfect will. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Always choose ”On A Bright Side” moving further and farther “On A Brightest Side”.
I love you readers with the love of the Lord yet the Lord loves you the most. You are blessed.
Smile and be a blessing!