Introduction

[Name of friend], I would like to begin to send you a short thought from the Bible as often as I can work it into my schedule. I will keep it short and will include a verse from the Bible in each thought. I will write down the verse and then say something about it allowing you to think about it and respond to it if you have time and want to share a thought about it or have a question. I want to help you grow in your understanding of the Christian faith.

Today I want to begin by looking at two words: religion and relationship. Religion is a collection of external rules a group of people believe in and embrace. Each such collection of people and rules and beliefs is the basis of a religion. As a result there are many different Christian religions. Most of these people believe they will go to heaven when they die. A relationship is a connection between people. It exists at different levels. Since the true God is a person and not a thing we can then have a relationship with God.

Religion and relationship can be seen as two gates that open to the next life. “¹³ Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. ¹⁴ For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:13 – 14 ESV). Religion is the wide gate and by obeying the rules one believes they can work their way into heaven, but that is the way to destruction. A personal relationship with God through the person of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, is the narrow gate and leads to eternal life.

It is very important for us to understand who Jesus Christ is and how we can have a personal relationship with him. We will begin this conversation next time.