We’ve all heard somebody say, “It’s not about religion, it’s about relationship.”  I’ve even heard myself say it!  The problem is, religion often gets a bad reputation because of bad characters.  According to Webster, “…religion is belief in divine power to be obeyed and worshiped as creator and ruler of the universe…”  The apostle James wrote, “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:26, 27)  So, there is false religion, vain religion and true religion.  There are also users of religion.  Centuries ago people learned that “religious speak” was a way to manipulate and even deceive other people.  The Pharisees used religion to get people to think well of them and for financial gain.  This “use of religion” grieved our Lord and brought severe denunciation as we will see in Matthew 23.  It might be better if we said it this way, “The only way to have true religion is through relationship.”  It is when we abide in Christ and He abides in us that we can actually represent Him as we ought.  Relationship with God is developed like any other relationship; it requires time, intentionality, trust, commitment, loyalty and shared priorities.  Relationship with God is made possible through Jesus Christ but it requires faith and practice on our part to enjoy all the benefits.  Let’s be people who are intimate and personal with Jesus Christ.  Let’s be people who are serious about true religion.  Let’s remember that true religion grows out of true relationship and give ourselves heart and soul to both.