What Do Christians Mean When They Say “It’s Relationship, Not Religion?”

A popular Christian catch phrase is that Christianity isn’t a religion as much as it is a relationship. That may be confusing for people outside the faith to understand. Maybe you’ve thought, “What do you mean it’s not a religion? It’s the one of the biggest religions in the world!”

1. Emphasis on Faith

Christianity is special in the way that it highlights faith over works for salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 says this clearly, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

2. Emphasis On Knowing Jesus

Another important aspect of Christianity is the emphasis on getting to know Jesus. As Christians we strive to learn the heart and ways of Jesus. We have constant conversation (pray without ceasing, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) with Him!

This is the definition of a relationship! We are striving to build a relationship with Jesus through prayer, Bible study, and time with other believers.

3. Emphasis on Love and Grace

Real Christianity is not a spiteful angry religion, but a faith focused on love and grace. Jesus tells us that the greatest commandment is to love God. The second is to love our neighbors. (Matthew 22:36-40). There’s an urging to focus not just on your own journey, but to serve those around you.

Religion can be a cold word that may come with hard memories attached to it. Highlighting the relationship aspect of Christianity really helps to define what a practicing Christian’s experience looks like.

Let me show you a real world example of a guy who thought Christianity was just some religion and learned it was a beautiful relationship with his Creator. Eric had been dragged to church all his life but to him, it was just religion. After being in jail over 30 times, he found a true relationship with Jesus Christ and began to change his life. Unfortunately, when his mother died unexpectedly he turned back to drugs and wound up back in jail. It was here that he hit rock bottom and realized he had been looking in the wrong places for the wrong things. Check out how his amazing story to see how everything changed, for good this time.