The Mysteries of God - Mystery # 2 - Being One with Christ

The word "religion" gets thrown around a lot, when referring to belief or faith in God. This is not an accurate word to describe the true meaning of being a Christ follower. According to Dictionary.com, the actual definitions of religion are as follows.../rɪˈlɪdʒən/ Show Spe

1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion. 

3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions. 

4. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion. 

5. the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.

Beliefs, practices, and rituals are what these 5 definitions boil down to. This means religion is man-made. Again, not an accurate portrayal of what really happens in the case of a Christ follower. A more accurate word to describe this would be relationship, which Dictionary.com defines as...
/rɪˈleɪʃənˌʃɪp/ Show Sp

1. a connection, association, or involvement.

2. connection between persons by blood or marriage.

3. an emotional or other connection between people: the relationship between teachers and students. 

4. a sexual involvement; affair.

You might be saying, wait just a minute. No one is "that close" with God or Jesus! It's not possible. You would be wrong and you would have misunderstood the very relationship that Jesus died for. Just take a look at this great mystery, as it is explained in Ephesians 5:31-32 NLT.

³¹ As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” ³² This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. 

When you get married, do you have religion with that person, or do you have a relationship? OK, watch this. The relationship between husband and wife is an allegory or a type, used to describe the symbolism between the relationship between Christ and His followers.

• "As a man leaves father and mother to be joined with his wife" - Jesus left His Heavenly Father to come to earth to establish a relationship with His Church (Bride). He walked with her, talked with her, taught her, healed her, and wooed her. Then, He left His earthly mother, Mary, to go to the cross to lay down His life for His Bride. Remember, He said to John, "behold your mother" and to Mary, "behold your son" (John). He was establishing a relationship for His earthly mother, so she could let Him go to do what He had to do to reunite all of His Bride with God in Heaven. He made this disconnect with Mary, not because He did not love her anymore as His mother, but because He had to die for her too.

• "The two are united as one" - Jesus chose to lay down His life for His Bride. His life was not taken from Him. He gave Himself as a sacrifice to redeem His Bride and to reunite with Her. He loved Her that much.

This is the most beautiful relationship that ever existed. God became a man to save us from our sin, to cleanse us, restore us, redeem us, love us, and die for us. Marriage involves a dying to yourself, so that you can love the other person completely and unselfishly. You are able to put their needs before yours and you are able to see them as part of you - as you are called one flesh, according to the Bible.

You make an unbreakable covenant when you say, "I do." You are giving up your single life and declaring that "I am yours and you are mine" until death. You seal the covenant with the consummation of the relationship. This makes you one (flesh to flesh).

Jesus made this unbreakable covenant on the cross when He said I will die FOR YOU! He consummated the relationship by giving us His Holy Spirit. When you pray to receive Christ, The Holy Spirit comes to live in you. You are His and He is yours forever. In effect, He becomes One with you (Spirit to spirit).

When you see that Jesus wants a relationship with you, your understanding opens up in a whole new light. He is a relational God and He loves you madly, deeply, perfectly, and passionately. When you view this as a relationship, suddenly His words are not a list of rules (do this/don't do this). They begin to make sense, as you see His words and plans for you are for good, for hope, and for your future.

Jesus always wants to spend time with you. He cares for you more than you know and He thinks about you all of the time. You are always on His heart and mind. He longs to be with you, talk with you, and be there for you. He makes all things new for you. He works all things for your good too. And that is true love!

Jason Gray wrote a song, called "More Like Falling in Love" and I think this song sums up the difference between religion and relationship perfectly. Take a listen here...
http://youtu.be/GXHxpLvv2y8