The new year usually brings self-reflection and re-evaluation. It’s a great time to set goals and make necessary changes in our lives. One important thing to consider is the difference between religion and relationship. It’s important to know God personally and on an intimate level. You should ask yourself if you have a relationship with God, or if you just practice religion.
Religion is believing Jesus exists, doing good works, praying before meals, knowing the Bible. Relationship is trusting Jesus with your life, obeying God because you love him, praying without ceasing, and continuously being transformed by the Bible.
You can go to church for years and never meet Jesus. You can read the entire Bible and still be lost. You can serve your community yet never surrender your life to God. To have eternal life, you must know God. Knowing God means having a personal relationship with him. To have a relationship with God, you must surrender your life to him.
“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1 John 2:3-4
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17