Christianity is not “religion”Religion emphasizes precepts, propositions,
performance, production, programs, promotion,
percentages, etc. Christianity emphasizes the Person of
Jesus Christ, and His life lived out through the receptive
Christian believer.
Religion has to do with form, formalism and formulas;
ritual, rules, regulations and rites; legalism, laws and
laboring. The “good news” of Christianity is that it is not
what we do or perform, but what Jesus has done and is
doing in us. Jesus exclaimed from the cross, “It is
finished!” (John 19:30). The performance is hereby
accomplished! Jesus has done all the doing that needs
doing for our regeneration, and continues to do all the
doing that God wants to do in us. “God is at work in you
both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Phil.
2:13).
Some have tried to explain that “Christianity is not
religion; it is a relationship.” Such a statement is too
ambiguous, for it is possible to have a “relationship” with
religious peoples and practices. Although Christianity does
involve a personal relationship between an individual and
the living Lord Jesus, it must be pointed out that this is