Is there truly a difference? Does it matter? They are all together, is that right? I want to start my blog with this topic, because it’s more important than what it sounds like. If you want to succeed in your spiritual life, then you need to understand the importance of each one and their differences. I invite you to continue reading to understand the importance of each one and their differences— the church, religion, and God.
Church
I’ll go ahead and start with what the church is and what role you play in it. The church is us, the people, the members, the brothers and sisters in Christ that gather to worship God (1). The church is not the building where we unite rather the people who unite. The building can fall apart but the church will continue where the members of the church decide to gather. It’s important to recognize that you make the church along with the other members of the church. You are part of it and are as important as the other members. Your church needs you. It’s written that the members of the church are the body of Christ and Jesus is the head (1). When we understand this, not only do we understand the importance of attending church but the importance we play in the church we attend. The significance of being united with your brothers and sisters in Christ. The power the church has when we are united, one minded, in prayer and other ways. The importance of recognizing Jesus as our head and why we must make sure every single body of the church is working properly.
I’ve heard many people say I believe in God but not in the church. Many people don’t go to church but something they don’t understand is that Jesus made the church and put himself as the head (2). In a human body who controls all the body? The brain, the head. We can lose any part of our body but if we lose the head, that’s the end, right? Jesus himself told Peter that he was going to build his church on him. We then can read how Paul warned us to not stop going to church or gathering (3). There are a few things I want you to take with you today about church:
- Jesus made the church
- Jesus is the head of the church
- You are the church along with the other members
- Going to church—where our brothers and sisters in Christ unite—is important for our spiritual life and for the members of the church
Now let’s jump into my second point.
Religion
Religion, isn’t this the same as the church? Well, after the above paragraph we can see that the church is different from the religion. Church is the people, the body of Christ. Religion is just a style of practices and beliefs that people have assembled based on what they have understood in the bible. There isn’t a specific religion the bible says that is the correct one rather the bible emphasizes the importance of following and being obedient to God. When Jesus was asked what the most important commandment was we must follow, he said to love God with all we have and love one another (4). It can be a difficult decision when it comes to religion since there are so many, which one is the correct one? I don’t think it matters so much if you go with what the bible says. Read for yourself the bible, ask God for guidance, and based on the knowledge God gives you, decide what is the religion you will follow. Always keep in mind that religion is not the most important thing in your spiritual life, rather it is your relationship with God.
To choose a church, to become a member of the body of Christ you will have to choose a religion. I visited several churches from 2-3 religions before choosing a religion and a church. God continued to take me to the same religion and church. It is there where I was touched by God and transformed miraculously. To this day, this is the church I still go to. After choosing the religion and church, I have had the opportunity to go to other similar religions and I have always felt the presence of God, confirming me that the religion doesn’t matter but rather your relationship with God and your obedience to his calling. This takes me to my third point – God.
God
I wrote about church and about religion. How they are important, but they are definitely not the most important in your spiritual walk. God is the most important. He must be your priority and your foundation on everything. Your relationship with church and your religion has nothing to do with your personal relationship with God.
To have a successful spiritual life you must have an intimate relationship with God. Just like any other relationship, to grow a relationship you must spend time with the person, listen to them and share with them, too. We need to do the same thing with God.
So how do we spend time with God? You spend time with him by reading the bible, in prayer and talking with him throughout the day. Because if you believe that God is with you all the time (5), then you will automatically speak to him all day, right? To grow a relationship with Him you must know him, too. We can find a lot of characteristics of God in the bible. We can see God at the beginning creating good things (6), we can see his creativity in the universe—the planets, stars, and galaxies. We can start by focusing on earth: the oceans, the sand, waves, forests, islands, plants, animals, and human beings. There are so many details in everything. He is detail oriented in everything He does. We can read how God gets angry, happy, and sad. He is full of emotions. How He is just, merciful, loving, faithful, good, patient, and holy. We can see his power, how he is almighty, all powerful, the supreme authority, and infinite. When we lose ourselves in the bible, we can discover so much of God—way more than what we can hear and see. When we hear others speak the word, it’s great, we need it to learn and God will also speak to us through people, but I want to emphasize the importance of reading alone with God because there is no bias coming from someone. Rather it’s just you, the bible and God. What you might read and understand might be different from what I read and understand. And that is totally ok. We can read a story of the bible and depending on our experiences or what we are going through the Lord will manifest himself differently. I encourage you to always set a schedule only to dedicate time to read the bible. In short, the most important thing in our spiritual life is our relationship with God. We grow in relationship with Him through prayer and reading the bible.
As I come to an end, I want you to focus on these 3 points and try to hear God’s voice to see in what area of your life He is eager to improve for His honor and glory!
That is all I have for today! I hope you enjoyed today’s reading! Share with someone something you learned or anything that became clearer. As we learn, we must share so together we can continue growing constantly as children of God. God bless.
1 – Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18
2 – Mathew 16:18
3 – Hebrews 10:25
4 – Matthew 22:36:40
5 – Joshua 1:9; Isaiah 41:10; Deuteronomy 31:6; Zephaniah 3:17; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5
Still in God 
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