January 17, 2021 CAC Living Water Devotional : Topic – RELIGION OR RELATIONSHIP?
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LIVING WATER CAC DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Sunday, January 17, 2021
RELIGION OR RELATIONSHIP?
Read: John 4:19-24
John 4:19-24 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.
Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
MEMORISE:
God is spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24).
EXPOSITION
Religion is a traditional way to worship a deity, or God. It consists in people’s beliefs and opinions concerning the existence, nature, and worship of a deity or deities, and divine involvement in the universe and human life. On the other hand, relationship is the act of associating with others in order to know them more, and achieve common goals together.
In the church today, most people are more interested in church doctrines, tenets, traditions, and activities. This is an indication that they are more connected with religion than, their relationships with God. The woman at the well knew the religious beliefs practices of the Jews compared with the Samaritans, that in a short time, she was able to prove to Jesus Christ why she could not give Him water to drink. Even when her lifestyle showed she had no relationship with the God (Yahweh) of her religion.
A look at what the woman by the well was saying, shows her preaching religion, while our Lord Jesus was building relationship. One basic lesson we must learn here is that God is more interested in our relationships with Him than in our religions and church tradition. Jesus desires relationship (Rev. 3:20), not empty religious practices. One can be deep in religion but still go to hell (Lk. 13:27), but we cannot be in cordial relationships with Christ and go to hell (Jn. 3:36). Some of us can defend our churches, pastors and doctrines, but cannot defend the gospel because we are religiously indoctrinated. Jesus is calling on us today to build an everlasting relationship with Him.
Do you want to know God and enjoy His inexhaustible relationship’s blessings, now and forever? Start relationship with Him (faith in Him). Sustain the relationship – read and meditate on His Word, pray unto Him, in Jesus’ name. Desire to serve Him in a Bible-believing church. Share this relationship with others (Jn. 4:27-30). God bless you.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, turn my directionless religious life to the relationship with You.
2. Lord, help me to focus more on You than religious practices.
3. Save our church from traditions that are not spirit-built.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Genesis 35:13 – 37:4; Matthew 12:8 – 12:29