Many people today are walking away from faith, not because they rejected God, but because they were wounded by religion..
God has already done everything necessary for our salvation through Jesus. The foundation of Christianity is not human effort, it is Christ’s finished work. Our part is relationship, trust, and alignment with what He has already done.
Jesus did not come to start a system of pressure and performance. He came to restore connection between humanity and God through love and compassion.
As Book of John 19:30 says:
“It is finished.”
That means the price was paid, the work was completed, and access to God was opened. We live from acceptance, not for acceptance.
"When Religion Becomes Harmful"
Religion becomes harmful when it turns into:
- control instead of care
- rules without relationship
- performance without love
- pride instead of humility
Some people make faith overly demonstrative and legalistic, as if repeating rituals earns God’s approval. But Jesus warned against this.
In Book of Matthew 6:7 Jesus said:
“And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.”
God is not moved by word count, But by sincerity of heart.
Religion can also become a place where people avoid responsibility. Instead of growing, they blame God, family, parents, spouses, or life. That is not spiritual maturity. God calls us to transformation, not excuses.
Religion vs Relationship
Religion says,
“Earn it.”
Relationship says,
“Receive it and walk in it.”
Religion can make people feel it is never enough. Never holy enough, never spiritual enough, never worthy enough. That pressure can exhaust the mind and emotions.
But Jesus brings freedom. True faith leads to peace, growth, and responsibility, not anxiety and fear.
About Pride and False Revelation
Sometimes people believe they have special revelation others do not, and it produces pride. If our knowledge does not point people to Jesus and make the door easier to enter, then something is off.
Jesus strongly corrected leaders who made faith heavy for others. Matthew 23:4 says they:
“Bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders.”
God’s heart is not to burden people But to bring them into life.
What Did Jesus Mean About Pharisee Righteousness?
Jesus said in Matthew 5:20:
“Unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”
He was not saying “try harder than them.”
He was saying “be different from them.”
Pharisees focused on outward performance.
Jesus calls for inward transformation.
Their righteousness was external.
Kingdom righteousness is internal and flows from the heart.
It is not about rituals, it is about alignment.
Not about appearance, but obedience from love.
A Short Story
A young woman once grew up in a strict religious environment. She was told God was always disappointed in her. If she missed a prayer time, she felt guilty. If she made a mistake, she felt condemned.
One day she heard a simple message about God’s love and grace. The speaker said, “God is not looking for perfection, He is looking for your heart.”
She began reading Scripture for herself and discovered God as a Father, not a fault-finder. Her prayer life changed from fear to honesty. Her obedience flowed from love instead of pressure.
She later said,
“I didn’t leave God, I left fear. And I finally met the real Jesus.”
The Balance
True faith includes:
- Relationship with God
- Responsibility in life
- Obedience from love
- Humility in growth
God is a Father, not a taskmaster.
Jesus is a Savior, not a scorekeeper.
When people meet the real Christ, they don’t become bound, they become free.
Prayer
Father,
Help me know You as You truly are. Remove wrong ideas and religious pressure from my heart. Teach me to walk with You in love, trust, and sincerity. Let my obedience flow from relationship, not fear. Show me the freedom found in Christ.
In Jesus’ name, amen. 🙏