I’ve always been fascinated by how the smallest things can spark the biggest conversations.
Not long ago, I was using a pen with the words “Remember Jesus” inscribed on it. A simple object, yet it led to a discussion that got me thinking. The person I was talking to glanced at it and said, “Religion is the problem in this world.”
That statement made me pause. It’s a common belief, but it’s also a misunderstanding. Yeshua—more commonly known as Jesus—did not create religion.
In fact, He had more conflict with religious authorities than with anyone else. His message was never about rules and rituals but about restoring our relationship with the one true God.
Bible Verse: John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.”
But what does this really mean? This explanation dives deeper into why Yeshua alone can restore our relationship with God.
Religion vs. Relationship
The truth is, that every man-made religion is built on works—on trying to reach God through effort, rituals, and rules. But that’s not how salvation works. Yeshua came to change everything.
John 1:14 declares, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” This means God Himself took on flesh and lived among us—not to establish another religion, but to rescue us.
Many believe that if they do enough good deeds, they can earn their way into heaven. But Scripture teaches otherwise. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
We can’t change our sinful nature by following rules. The Law, given to Moses, was never meant to save us—it was meant to show us our need for a Savior (Galatians 3:11).
The Good News: A New Nature in Christ
For those who already follow Yeshua, why would we return to a list of rules for sanctification when those rules couldn’t save us in the first place? And for those who have never accepted Him, did you know that salvation is as simple as believing?
1️⃣ 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
This verse lays out the foundation of the Gospel message:
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”
Salvation isn’t about rituals or religion—it’s about believing in the finished work of Yeshua.
2️⃣ John 3:16
The ultimate declaration of God’s love and His plan for redemption:
“For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
This verse reminds us that salvation is a gift, freely given to anyone who believes.
3️⃣ Matthew 6:33
A call to prioritize God above all else:
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and (then) all these things shall be added unto you.”
When we put our faith and trust in Yeshua, He transforms our lives, providing for us and drawing us closer to Him.
Yeshua didn’t come to create religion—He came to give us a new nature, one that allows us direct access to God.
Imagine having the assurance that your prayers are always heard. Imagine living with peace, knowing that your relationship with God isn’t based on performance but on His grace.
The Ultimate Decision
The world is full of distractions and voices telling us that we must earn our way to God through effort, rituals, or tradition.
But Yeshua’s message is clear—He alone is the way. There is no other path, no religious system, and no amount of good works that can bridge the gap between us and God. Only through Him can we find true freedom, purpose, and eternal life. This is not about following a religion; it’s about embracing a real, life-changing relationship with the Creator who loves you beyond measure.
A Question for Reflection
Do you have that new nature? If you do, how well are you listening to it?
If you haven’t yet embraced Yeshua as your Savior, know that He isn’t calling you to religion—He’s calling you to life. A life filled with grace, truth, and the unshakable assurance that you are loved and saved.
Wouldn’t you like that?
Hello Michael,
Your article is a compelling and heartfelt reminder of the distinction between religious systems and a personal relationship with God through Jesus. The article really hits home with me.
I belonged to a church and sent my two children to the school they were associated with. The school was top notch for grades Kindergarten through sixth, but the seventh and eighth grades something changed.
My son, the older of the two, did very well. My daughter did not do as well, and we had problems with the school. I went to the church for help and didn’t get any. Then I noticed that friends of mine in the church were leaving the church, even people who was on staff.
At that point I could see that the church was very political in the way they did things. It didn’t sit well with me and my family left that church.
My point is my relationship with Jesus was just fine without the church. After all, the church is run by humans and all humans are sinners and don’t always make the right decisions!
Anyway, I have questions for you. What are the benefits and challenges of organized religion in helping people connect with God?
We have a lot of different religions, and all are quite different from the others, be it Methodist, Catholic or Baptist. How might this “relationship over religion” message affect how you talk to others about faith?
Thank you,
Mark
Hi Mark, thank you so much for sharing your story so openly—and for your encouraging words about Michael’s article.
I’m sorry to hear about the painful experience you and your family went through at your former church.
Unfortunately, as you said so well, churches are made up of imperfect people—and when the focus shifts from Christ to politics or control, it can wound people deeply. I’m glad that through it all, your relationship with Jesus remained strong—that is truly what matters most.
You raised excellent questions, and I’d be happy to offer a few thoughts.
Benefits and challenges of organized religion.
At its best, organized religion—especially in the form of a healthy, biblically grounded local church—can be a tremendous blessing:
a. It provides fellowship, encouragement, and accountability (Hebrews 10:24-25).
b. It helps believers grow in the Word and in discipleship.
c. It creates opportunities for serving others and advancing the Gospel.
d. It reminds us that we are part of the larger Body of Christ.
But there are also real challenges:
a. Churches can become legalistic or focused on human traditions rather than grace.
b. Leadership can become politicized or self-serving, as you unfortunately experienced.
c. Differences in doctrine and practice can sometimes cause division rather than unity.
That’s why it is so important for believers to remember that our faith rests in Christ alone, not in any human system. A church is meant to point us to Jesus, not replace Him. And when a particular church loses that focus, it’s wise—as you did—to step away and seek God’s guidance.
How does “relationship over religion” affect how we talk to others about faith?
It changes everything, in the best way. Instead of inviting people to “join a church” or adopt a certain set of rules, we invite them to know the living Savior, Jesus. We focus on helping them understand that salvation is a gift of grace—not something we earn or deserve.
Of course, once someone comes to faith, finding a Christ-centered community can be very helpful—but it’s always relationship first, then fellowship second, not the other way around.
In today’s world, where many have been hurt or disillusioned by “religion,” this message of relationship and grace is more needed than ever.
Thank you again, Mark, for raising such thoughtful questions. I hope this encourages you—and please feel free to share more any time. We truly value this kind of conversation here!
Blessings!
Wow! What a touching webpage.
I have been a Christian for most of my life, and I have never heard of the word “Yeshua” until now. Thank you for enlightening me on this subject. I haven’t been to a church for some time, but although I do have a strong relationship with Jesus. He has guided me through a lot of obstacles in my life.
I do agree with what you said about religion being man-made. That is why we have so many denominations to choose from. Each religion stems from man’s many different interpretations.
In my opinion, the most important thing is for one to have their own personal relationship in their heart with Jesus!
Hi Wayne,
Thank you so much for your heartfelt comment.
It truly blesses me to hear from fellow believers who have walked with the Lord and experienced His guidance through life’s ups and downs. I’m so glad this post introduced you to the name “Yeshua”—it’s a beautiful reminder of our Savior’s Jewish roots and the fulfillment of God’s promises through Him.
You’re absolutely right—while religion can often divide, a personal relationship with Jesus unites us in His love and grace. It’s that intimate, daily walk with Him that transforms hearts and lives. I appreciate your insight about the many denominations and how they often reflect human interpretations.
At the end of the day, what truly matters is knowing Jesus personally and allowing His Spirit to lead us in truth.
Thank you again for sharing, Wayne. May the Lord continue to strengthen your relationship with Him and fill your life with His peace and purpose.
In Christ,
Alice
Site Admin, Biblical Christianity