What Type of Relationship?

The Saying We Love

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Christianity is not a religion, it’s a relationship.” It’s a popular saying for American Christians, especially in evangelical circles, and it’s got a certain ring to it. The idea behind it is to make Christianity seem more appealing—less about dusty rituals, more about a living connection with Jesus. 

There’s something attractive there, and it’s not entirely off-base. 

After all, Jesus said, “I no longer call you servants… I have called you friends” (John 15:15). The New Testament teaches this personal dynamic—grace, faith, a God who knows us. But here’s where I want to pause: Christianity is a religion. And denying that it is a religion doesn’t just oversimplify—it misses the bigger picture of what God’s doing through the covenant relationship He created through Jesus.

Where the Phrase Holds—and Falters

Let’s take a deeper look at the saying. On one hand, it’s trying to capture something real. It pushes back against the stereotype of religion as cold formalism—think Pharisees with their rules, missing the heart of God. The “relationship” bit highlights how Christianity invites us into something intimate, transformative, and even messy as we face the challenges of maturity. It’s not wrong to say that knowing Jesus changes everything. 

But calling it “not a religion” misses the reality of how we have a relationship with God. Christianity has sacred texts (the Bible), doctrines (Trinity, atonement), rituals (baptism, communion), and disciplines (meditation, prayer, fasting). That’s religion by any definition. To ditch the term “religion” is to set up a false split—religion as the bad guy, relationship as the hero. It sounds catchy, but it is not true.

Covenant: The Bigger Frame

Here’s the thing: Christianity doesn’t need to shed “religion” to appeal to people. It’s a religion defined by a relationship—one that’s rooted in covenant. 

So what’s a covenant? It’s a sacred agreement that is binding. In the case of Christianity, it is an agreement between God and His people, that blends commitment and loyalty with purpose and promise. God doesn’t just deal with us as scattered individuals; He binds us to Himself and to each other through promises that echo across history. Think of Abraham: “I will be your God, and you will be my people” (Genesis 17:7). Or the new covenant in Jesus’ blood, sealing us as a “chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9). This isn’t just a private “me and Jesus” thing—it’s a communal reality, a people set apart by God.

When “Relationship” Shrinks the Story

The “relationship, not religion” line risks shrinking God’s covenant down. It turns faith into a cozy, solo experience, sidelining the bigger, messier truth of covenant life.

Yes, it’s personal—God knows your name, your doubts, your hopes. But it’s also bigger than you. The Bible’s covenants—from Noah to Moses to Christ—always involve a community with a purpose. Israel’s whole identity was wrapped up in being God’s covenant people, even when they stumbled. The early church got it too, sharing everything and growing together (Acts 2:44-47). That’s not just a personal relationship; that’s religion lived out in the real world.

Why Covenant Matters

So why does this matter? Because leaning too hard on “relationship” alone can miss what God’s after. Covenant means we’re not just in this for ourselves. We’re tied to each other—responsible to help, forgive, and carry burdens. Galatians 6:2 says, “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ” (NLT). That’s not optional; it’s the covenant at work. The phrase might sell books or fill pews, but it’s too small for the God who calls a nation, not just a fan club.

Reframing the Faith

Christianity is a religion, no question about it. 

Christianity is a relationship, that is absolutely correct. 

Christianity is a covenant relationship—personal and communal, intimate and expansive. Maybe the saying needs a rewrite: “Christianity isn’t just a religion—it’s a covenant that makes us God’s people.” 

Less catchy, that is true, but it holds the weight of the story.

The Way of the Pilgrim

 

William Lane, in his book Hebrews: A Call to Commitment, reminds us that as disciples of Jesus, we are pilgrims in this world. He writes,

“In the same intense way that the patriarchs sought a homeland (Hebrews 11:14), Christians seek the City which is to come (Hebrews 13:14). The people of God are called to be a pilgrim people.” (p. 161)

But what does it mean for Christians to be pilgrims?

Pilgrims Travel Toward a Destination

To be a pilgrim means we are on a journey toward a new home. Abraham didn’t know exactly where God was leading him, but he trusted the One who called him. Likewise, we may not fully grasp what the New Creation will be like, but we trust God to bring us there.

One of the weaknesses of the Western Church is our reluctance to truly talk about the importance of the Gospel. The Gospel is the Good News about God’s Kingdom coming into the world through Jesus, so we can be rescued from Satan, sin, and death. 

As I prepared my spring sermon series in 2023 called Asking for a Friend, I answered questions about death, hell, and resurrection. It hit me as I studied for those messages how little I had taught on these topics. Much of our teaching focuses on making the most of life here and now. While being good stewards of what God has given us is important, following Jesus isn’t about securing our best life now—it’s about living in anticipation of what God has prepared for us.

The Bible is clear: life is hard. It is full of struggles, disappointments, tragedies, and broken relationships. This is the reality of living in a world corrupted by sin. Our hope, then, shouldn’t be in achieving comfort or success in this life, but in the promise of life in the New Jerusalem. Being a pilgrim means setting our hope not on the American Dream but on the Kingdom of God.

Pilgrims Travel Lightly

A pilgrim doesn’t settle down but moves forward toward their destination. That means traveling lightly, letting go of what might slow them down.

We often struggle with traveling light. We want to put down roots and build a life around what we can have now. The rich young ruler couldn’t follow Jesus because he was too attached to his wealth. How many of us miss opportunities to follow Jesus because we’re too attached to our jobs, homes, hobbies, or even relationships? Instead of stepping into the unknown of a faithful life, we cling to what is familiar.

The more we have, the more we have to lose—and the more reluctant we are to take risks for God’s Kingdom. One way to break our attachment to material things is through generosity. Giving freely helps us travel lightly, keeping our hearts fixed on God rather than on what we possess.

Pilgrims Trust Their Guide

A pilgrim doesn’t know the way—they rely on a guide. We don’t know the full path ahead, so we trust God to lead us. He guides us through Scripture and the Holy Spirit, navigating us through the mountains and valleys of life.

But are we truly trusting Him if we set conditions on our obedience? Do we say, “I’ll follow You, God, but only if it doesn’t require too much sacrifice, too much giving, too much inconvenience”? Trusting God means taking the next step, even when we don’t see the whole path.

Pilgrims Travel Together

Finally, a pilgrim doesn’t travel alone. To be a Christian is to journey with others toward the same destination. The Church is a fellowship of believers—encouraging, supporting, and bearing one another’s burdens along the way.

As we move toward the New Creation, let’s remember that we are pilgrims in this world. Our eyes must stay fixed on Jesus, the One who has gone before us and prepared the way. Let’s travel lightly, holding the things of this world loosely. Let’s trust God to provide for us. And let’s walk this road together, encouraging one another as fellow pilgrims on the journey home.

Paul’s Ponderings
Reflecting on the truth that transforms.

Transformed by Grace

Four years ago, Josiah Jackson, an 18-year-old pianist, stood at Chicago O’Hare International Airport near Gate C17, eyeing a public piano. Having played since he was four, he couldn’t resist giving it a try. But the keys were sticky, the sound was awful, and he left disappointed, vowing, “One day, I’m going to come back and tune this piano for free.” 

Not only is Josiah a pianist, he is also a piano tuner. Because he did not like the pressure of performing in concerts, he started to learn how to tune pianos, and by 15 he shifted his passion from performing to tuning pianos, finding joy in transforming broken instruments. He called himself The Piano Doctor, sharing his work on YouTube. In 2024, he returned to O’Hare during an eight-hour layover, armed with tuning tools. The piano was in worse shape than he remembered—covered in dust, keys glued with some mysterious substance. After seven hours of meticulous work, Josiah played “Pirates of the Caribbean,” and the piano sounded wonderful. Travelers now play it with joy, and his YouTube video has inspired thousands. Josiah didn’t just fix a piano; he restored its purpose, bringing music back to a busy airport.

Like that piano, we too are out of tune. Sin has broken us, leaving us unable to play the music God created us to sing. Romans 3:23 reminds us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Sin curses our world, fractures our relationships, and separates us from God, our source of life. We’re not just out of tune; we’re incapable of living out our design to bear God’s image in the world. 

But what if we could be restored? What would it be like to live free from sin’s grip—fully known without shame, loving others perfectly, representing Jesus in all we do? It would be freeing and it would be glorious. We would be able to do the very thing God created us to do.

In Romans 6:1-14, the Apostle Paul shows us how God’s grace transforms us, making us new people who reflect His restoration in how we live. Writing to the church in Rome to summarize his theology, unify believers, and seek support for a mission to Spain, Paul explains how Jesus’ death and resurrection deal with sin’s consequences. Through grace, we’re not left broken but are tuned to play God’s song. Here are three ways grace transforms us, drawn from this powerful passage.

1. Transformed to Live New Lives (Romans 6:1-4)

Paul is appalled at the idea that we’d keep sinning to make God’s grace shine brighter. Grace cost Jesus His life, and through baptism, we’re united with his death and resurrection. Baptism isn’t just a symbol; it’s an act of faith and repentance that ties us to Jesus, his death paying for our sins and his resurrection empowering us to live anew. When we repent, we turn from sin to follow Jesus’ way. We can’t keep sinning intentionally, banking on grace to cover us. God has already given us new lives through His grace, and we’re called to steward them well, living in a way that honors Him.

2. Transformed to a New Relationship (Romans 6:5-11)

Through baptism, we’re dead to sin and alive in Christ’s resurrection. Paul says we’re “set free from the power of sin” (v. 7) and that “death no longer has mastery over us” (v. 9). But temptation still tugs, and death remains a reality—so what does this freedom mean? In 1 Corinthians 15:56, Paul explains that sin’s sting leads to death, and the law gives sin its power by defining right and wrong but not offering a way out. Jesus’ death fulfills the law’s demands, freeing us from its condemnation. Grace builds a new relationship with God, not based on keeping rules but on His unmerited love. We’re no longer slaves to sin but children of God, invited to live in His grace.

3. Transformed for Freedom (Romans 6:12-14)

Grace gives us a choice: How will we live? Will we offer our hands, feet, and minds to sin, walking the wide road of rebellion? Or will we offer ourselves to righteousness, pursuing the narrow road of God’s Kingdom? We’re no longer under the law’s condemnation but under grace’s freedom. This freedom isn’t a license to sin but an empowerment to choose righteousness, to represent King Jesus in all we say and do. And when we stumble, grace promises forgiveness, catching us and setting us back on the path.

A Safety Net of Grace

Imagine San Francisco in 1936, where workers built the Golden Gate Bridge on slippery beams high above the Pacific. A fall meant certain death, and the industry expected one life lost per million dollars spent—35 deaths for a $35 million project. But engineer Joseph Strauss refused to accept that toll. He installed a massive safety net beneath the bridge, costing $130,000 during the Great Depression. That net caught 19 men who fell, earning them the nickname the “Half Way to Hell Club.” One survivor, Al Zampa, said, “They said a man who fell to his death was gone to hell. But we fell only half way to hell.” The net didn’t just save them; it gave them a new chance at life.

This is God’s grace. The law says our sin deserves death, but grace catches us. Like Josiah tuning that O’Hare piano, God restores us, not because we earn it but because He loves us. Because we know His grace is there, we can live confidently, loving God and others, trusting He’ll rescue us when we fall.

Big Idea: God’s Grace Transforms Us

God’s grace transforms us from slaves to sin into instruments of righteousness, free to live for His glory. We’re not defined by our mistakes but by His redemption. Like a tuned piano, we’re called to play the music of His Kingdom, reflecting His love in how we live.

Challenge: Live Transformed

Each day, do two things:

1. Confess your sins to God and ask for forgiveness.
2. Commit to follow Jesus that day.

This simple practice reminds us who we are and how we’re called to live. Reflect on where sin is holding you back—your words, thoughts, or actions—and offer that part of your life to God as an instrument of righteousness. Live boldly, knowing His grace catches you.

Closing Thought

You are not the sum of your falls. You are a new creation, caught by grace, tuned by a loving God, and called to sing His praise. So go, live transformed, and let your life be a song for your Creator, Savior, and Father.

Sources: Cathy Free, “An airport piano was filthy and out of tune. He fixed it during a layover”; Historical accounts of the Golden Gate Bridge from Wikipedia, WebUrbanist, and SFGate; Biblical text: Romans 6:1-14, Romans 3:23, 1 Corinthians 15:56.

Sunday Prayer: Alive to Christ

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with grateful hearts, for we are no longer bound by sin but alive in Christ. Thank You for Your abundant grace that frees us from the power of death and calls us to live in righteousness.

Lord, we confess that we sometimes forget the gift of Your grace and the new life we have through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Forgive us for the times we return to old ways, living as though sin still reigns over us. Help us to embrace the truth that we are dead to sin and alive to You.

Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, that we may walk in the newness of life You have given us. Strengthen us to offer every part of ourselves as instruments of righteousness, not yielding to temptation but surrendering to Your holy will. May our lives reflect the freedom and victory we have in Christ, bringing glory to Your name.

We pray for those struggling under the weight of sin, that they may know the liberating power of Your grace. Use us, Lord, to share the hope of Your gospel, pointing others to the life found only in You.

In Jesus’ precious name, we pray, Amen.

Walking in the Spirit: Overcoming the Works of the Flesh

One of the most challenging aspects of the Christian life is navigating the daily battle between the desires of the flesh and the guidance of the Spirit. We want to honor God, yet we often find ourselves struggling with temptation, frustration, and failure. How do we live victorious lives that reflect God’s heart? 

I believe that Paul’s words in Galatians 5:16-26 offer clear direction and hope.

The Battle Within

Paul begins by issuing a powerful command: “Walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16, CSB). It’s a promise as much as it is an instruction. If we walk by the Spirit—if we actively seek his guidance and strength—we will find the power to resist the flesh’s persistent pull.

The problem is, as Paul explains, “the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other.” (v. 17). We live with an internal conflict. But here’s the good news: “If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” (v. 18). The Spirit’s leadership frees us from the condemnation and frustration of trying to live righteously in our own strength.

Works of the Flesh vs. Fruit of the Spirit

Paul doesn’t mince words when describing the works of the flesh. They’re “obvious” and destructive—things like sexual immorality, jealousy, anger, selfish ambition, and envy (vv. 19-21). And he issues a stern warning: “Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (v. 21). It’s a call to examine our lives and ask, “Am I letting the flesh control me?”

In contrast, Paul paints a wonderful picture of what life looks like when the Spirit is at work: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (vv. 22-23). This fruit reflects the very character of God, and “The law is not against such things.” (v. 23). I think it is important to remember that the Spirit doesn’t just convict us of sin; he transforms our hearts, which produces holiness within us.

Crucify the Flesh, Keep in Step with the Spirit

The key to victory is found in verse 24: “Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Through the power of Christ, the flesh has been put to death. But it’s not a one-time act; it’s a daily decision to deny the flesh’s influence and live under the Spirit’s control.

Paul concludes with a powerful challenge: “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” (v. 25). This isn’t about passive belief but intentional effort. It’s about adjusting our walk to match the Spirit’s leading, letting him shape our thoughts, attitudes, and actions.

Practical Steps for Walking in the Spirit

How do we put this into practice? Here are some thoughts to consider:

1. Daily Surrender: Start each day by surrendering to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Pray for his wisdom, strength, and direction. I have adapted Colossians 1:9-10 for this purpose.

2. Guard Your Heart: Be intentional about what you allow to influence your thoughts and actions. Are you feeding the flesh or nurturing the Spirit? Make the effort to read the Bible and other devotional material (Daily in His Presence by Andrew Murray has been helpful to me), the Spirit will use these words of truth to transform your thinking.

3. Accountability: Surround yourself with believers who will encourage you, pray for you, and lovingly challenge you when needed. Being part of a Christian community is essential to our transformation.

4. Spiritual Disciplines: Engage in practices like Bible study, meditation, and fasting to sharpen your sensitivity to the Spirit’s voice.

5. Practical Obedience: When the Spirit prompts you to act, respond immediately. Walking in the Spirit means actively listening and obeying.

A Call to Commitment

As Paul warns, the works of the flesh are devastating, but the fruit of the Spirit is life-giving. Which will you choose to pursue?

I invite you to examine your life today. Are you walking by the Spirit? Are you bearing the fruit of the Spirit? Let’s commit ourselves to keep in step with the Spirit, trusting Him to transform us from the inside out.

Would love to hear your thoughts! How do you stay in step with the Spirit?

Paul’s Ponderings
Reflecting on the truth that transforms.

Transitions: Making Space for God in Life’s Shifts

In Get Your Life Back, John Eldredge dedicates a chapter to “Allowing for Transitions.” He observes that our fast-paced lives often propel us from one moment to the next without pause. We move from a tender conversation with a child to a heated call with an insurance company, then dive into work meetings while juggling emails, decisions about aging parents, and planning a spouse’s birthday dinner. Eldredge writes:

“The things we require of ourselves—we go from a tender conversation with our eight-year-old anxious about going to school to an angry phone call with our insurance company as we drive to work… And we wonder why we are having a hard time finding God, receiving more of him, feeling like we’re overflowing with life.” (pp. 66-67)

Each moment demands a different emotional, mental, or spiritual posture, yet we rarely give ourselves time to shift gears. Without transitions, we’re left fragmented, unable to be fully present or at our best. Eldredge suggests a simple practice: pause for a moment between activities, offer the previous experience to God, and seek His wisdom for what’s next. This small act of surrender can ground us and invite God into our daily rhythm.

This idea of transitions extends beyond daily tasks to the larger seasons of life. For years, I’ve taken hiking trips in Colorado that double as spiritual retreats. These times are deeply restorative—until I return home. The 13-hour drive back, rushed and grueling, erases the peace I found. By the time I’m home, “reality” swallows the renewal I experienced. I suspect you’ve felt this too: the high of a retreat, camp, or conference fades as you leap back into routine without time to process or integrate what God revealed.

Yesterday I attended my Aunt Maggie’s funeral, and it stirred a new perspective on transitions. Grief, for those who follow Jesus, is God’s gift to help us navigate loss. It’s a sacred process that moves us from a world where our loved one was present to one where they are not. Our hope in the resurrection and God’s New Creation sustains us, but grief allows us to honor the reality of a changed life. It’s a transition, slow and tender, that helps us carry love forward while releasing what was.

Here’s the heart of this pondering: transitions are vital to our spiritual formation. They are acts of kindness to ourselves, creating space to process, reflect, and invite God into our shifting roles and seasons. Whether it’s a minute between tasks or a slower reentry after a mountaintop experience, transitions help us live with intention and stay connected to God’s presence.

I encourage you to consider how you can build transitions into your life. One practice I’m adopting is to pause after an activity, entrust that moment to God, and ask for His guidance as I step into the next. This simple rhythm helps me show up more fully, reflecting King Jesus in my words and actions. What might transitions look like for you? How could they draw you closer to God’s heart?

Paul’s Ponderings
Reflecting on the truth that transforms.

Living Prayer

“To pray for one another as individuals or communities implies that we shall assist one another in every way for which we pray for one another; otherwise our prayers and thanksgivings for each other are mere hypocrisy.” – Alexander Campbell, The Christian System

Our actions are an extension of our prayers; they bring to life the intentions we express in our talking to God. Prayer is more than words said in solitude—it is a call to align our hearts with God’s will and to step into the world as His hands and feet. I believe it is crucial to ponder the connection between prayer and intention, the importance of backing our words with deeds, and the transformation that emerges in us and our communities when faith moves from an ideal to reality.

I. Understanding the Essence of Prayer

Prayer is both a spiritual and relational act. We see this in Paul’s instruction found in Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” 

Through prayer, we lay our hopes, fears, and desires before God, aligning our hearts with His purpose. It’s an act of trust, a declaration that we believe in His power to work in our lives and the lives of others.

Yet prayer is not solitary—it binds us to one another. James 5:16 urges, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” When we pray for our neighbors, friends, or even strangers, we lovingly pray for those around us, people in our community, lifting up their needs as if they were our own.

II. The Disconnect Between Words and Actions

Alexander Campbell’s words ring with a sobering truth: prayer without action risks becoming hypocrisy. Jesus warned against empty words in Matthew 6:7-8, saying that God sees through mindless repetitions and desires the right motivation and intention. Too often, we pray for the hungry but pass by opportunities to feed them, or we ask for peace but do little to mend broken relationships. This disconnect undermines the power of our prayers.

The apostle John drives this home in 1 John 3:18: “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” If we pray for someone’s healing but never offer a helping hand, or if we seek justice but stay silent in the face of wrong, our prayers become hollow echoes—lacking the substance of genuine faith.

III. How Actions Fulfill Prayers

Prayer and action are two sides of the same coin, a partnership in co-laboring with God. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” God doesn’t merely hear our prayers—He invites us to participate in answering them.

Scripture offers vivid examples. Nehemiah prayed fervently for Jerusalem’s restoration, then rose to lead its rebuilding (Nehemiah 2:4-8). The Good Samaritan, in Luke 10:25-37, didn’t just wish well for the wounded man—he bandaged his wounds, carried him to safety, and paid for his care. These stories show that acting on our prayers breathes life into our faith. As James 2:26 declares, “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”

IV. Practical Ways to Act on Prayers

So how do we bridge the gap between prayer and action? Start with the causes you lift up in prayer. If you pray for the homeless, volunteer at a shelter or donate resources. If you pray for a struggling friend, follow up with a call, a meal, or a listening ear. If justice or equality weighs on your heart, advocate for change in your community.

Even small, daily actions matter. Galatians 6:2 encourages us, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” A kind word, a shared resource, or a moment of service can turn your prayers into living expressions of love. The key is consistency—letting your deeds reflect the hopes you’ve placed before God.

V. The Transformative Power of Prayer and Action

When prayer and action unite, they deepen our faith and reshape our world. Jesus teaches in Matthew 25:35-40 that serving the hungry, the stranger, and the imprisoned is serving Him—a powerful reminder that our actions carry eternal weight. In Acts 2:42-47, the early Christians prayed together, shared their possessions, and built a community marked by unity and growth. Their faith wasn’t passive; it was alive, vibrant, and transformative.

This combination reflects God’s love to the world. As 1 Peter 4:10 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” When we pray and act, we become conduits of His grace, strengthening both ourselves and those around us.

Conclusion

Alexander Campbell’s insight challenges us: our prayers for one another must be more than words—they must spark action. Prayer connects us to God’s will, action fulfills its purpose, and together they transform lives and communities. As you reflect on your own prayers, ask yourself: How can my actions bring them to life? 

Let Micah 6:8 guide you: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” In the union of prayer and action, we find the heartbeat of a living faith.

Paul’s Ponderings
Reflecting on the truth that transforms.