“Without an encounter with Jesus, all we have is religion.” – Pastor John McDermott, Morningstar Church

Romans 4:13-16NLT 13 Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith. 14 If God’s promise is only for those who obey the law, then faith is not necessary and the promise is pointless. 15 For the law always brings punishment on those who try to obey it. (The only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break!) 16 So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift.

Throughout the New Testament, everyone that Christ encountered was changed one way or another. Those who received Him, received a new life. Those who rejected Him, continued in their life of fruitlessness and futility, trying to live without any real standard.  Even those who tried to follow the Law of God, was unable to fully meet that standard,  In fact, it couldn’t be done.

In His infinite love for us, God provided a way for His creation to have a more complete and better covenant with Him. A more personal and promised filled covenant than one based on following a list of rules.  This new covenant was based on love and intimacy between the Creator and His creation.

Hebrews 8:6-7 NLT 6 But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises.7 If the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need for a second covenant to replace it.

Jesus is the conduit of God’s promises. Religion can never provide what only Jesus can.  Jesus can only do; the only one who has done, all that is necessary to restore us to a right relationship with God and thereby providing us a life worth living. A life of purpose. A life of hope.

May you seek after a personal encounter with Christ. You will never be the same.