Ritual Versus Relationship

Scripture:  Romans 8:38-39 -  For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Relationships are important in life. Unfortunately, some people forgo the work necessary to build true relationships and just go through the motions. Oftentimes, these same people wonder why they have empty or poor relationships.

The disciples did what was necessary to have a personal relationship with Christ. They hung out together, they ate together, they talked together, and they knew each other’s families. These 13 men were friends. Although, they were friends they did not always agree with each other (Acts 15:37-41). Sometimes, they did things that the other didn’t approve of (John 18:10 -11). Ironically, Jesus was the best friend ever to all of them. However, they weren’t always a good friend to Jesus. One denied he even knew Jesus when Jesus was in trouble (Luke 22:56-62). One friend betrayed Jesus for money (Luke 1-6) and that betrayal led to Jesus being arrested and crucified. One doubted Jesus and didn’t believe his friends (John 20:24 -29). Despite these things Jesus never broke the friendship. He never threw them away. Sadly, doubt, betrayal, and disagreements happen in relationships. Moreover, these are situations that can destroy a relationship. To get pass situations like this, our friendship has to be more than a routine of activities that are done for superficial results.

Sadly, some believers are more ritualistic than relational. A relationship is something that is sincere, has depth, and fosters trust, understanding, and forgiveness. Ritualistic activities are sometimes used as a way to perpetrate a fraud to those looking on and sometimes are even done to convince the doer themselves that they are relationship building. Although, the Christian walk may look ritualistic to non-believers, it is more than that. What the non-believer sees is rituals: church EVERY Sunday, Bible study EVERY Wednesday, and Communion EVERY month. But for the believer doing these activities shape the connections needed to grow in Christ. In some families, mom reads to her child every night, some families eat together EVERY Sunday or have game night EVERY month. No one ever condemns families when they do activities that create bonds, but many condemn Christians when they do activities that create spiritual bonds. As a believer grows in Christ, the following activities (praying daily, reading the Bible daily, attending church and participating in church activities) are done in an attempt to get to know Christ better. These activities build a relationship with Christ. Every believer’s walk is different. Every believer’s blessings are different, and contrary to popular belief what God does for you He may not do for someone else; although He can. Each relationship with Christ is personal, each friendship with Christ is specific, but the outcome of the behaviors that some see as ritualistic is the same for all believers – salvation and sanctification. There is a stark difference between rituals and relationship, and relationship is what Christ wants from us.

Prayer: What a friend we have in Jesus. All our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer. Lord, thank You for being a true friend. Thank You for not throwing us away when we deny You, doubt You, and betray You. Lord, forgive us for grieving You and disappointing You. Lord, thank You for giving us the tools necessary to build a strong relationship with You. You have provided us with everything we need to stand strong in You, and for that we say thank You! Many times, we take You for granted, Lord, even though You have proven to be our creator, deliverer, redeemer, and friend. You are consistent even when we are fickle. Lord, we thank You. Thank You for Your undying love, sacrifice, and dedication to us even unto the cross. Thank You, Lord, for Your son Jesus the Christ who died for our sins and rose so that we might live. In the matchless name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.

(Patricia Towns)