WHAT'S WRONG WITH RELIGION ANYWAY? by Steve Shipley

I don't understand this saying I see on Google+ and Face Book: "It's not about religion, it's about relationship." It's actually nonsensical and untrue. Yes, it's about relationship, but it's also about religion.  Jesus didn't just call us to be His son or daughter and sit there doing nothing. Religion is the order of things that put us in the center of His will. The World dictionary defines religion as: " belief in, worship of, or obedience to a supernatural power or powers considered to be divine or to have control of human destiny" If religion is "belief in, worship of, and obedience to" Jesus Christ, then that is what a believer should want. He or she should desire this religion, or perhaps many today do not want to be bothered by such a commitment. Perhaps they want to call Jesus a friend, but not their Lord.
Religion , in the context of Holy Scripture is NOT a bad thing. It is not a dirty word or something to be disdained, but rather,  something to be embraced. Paul exhorted believers, "Let everything be done decently and in order", and that is what religion brings. What it really comes down to is man's disdain for rules and regulations. It was once said that the national anthem to hell is, " I did it my way". No silly commandments or rituals for them.  No Church or organized doctrine. They will carry their personal little Savior around in a box and make Him fit their schedule and their needs.
Sorry, but God ordained Religion. Yes satan has perverted it, but that doesn't give us the right to ignore God's religion. The Ten commandments, the Lord's Supper, baptism,  corporate worship, washing one another's feet, feeding the poor and helping the needy is all a part of Biblical religion. Can you do that from your sofa watching football on Sunday?
Be very careful the next time you want to chuck out religion. It IS about relationship, but my relationship with Christ leads me to practicing religion.