When I was introduced to Christianity, I was never told many of the following basic truths:
- • Salvation is free, but discipleship will cost.
- • It’s not what you can do for God, but what He wants to do through you.
- • There is a difference between religion and a relationship; between a religious façade and intimacy with God Himself.
- • You are a spiritual slave, bought with a price, and you no longer belong to yourself. … and there are more.
Perhaps like you, I was first introduced to *cultural Christianity,* rather than the person of Jesus Christ and everything involved with being His disciple. In my years spent pastoring, church planting, counseling and consulting, I’ve found many people converted to a “comfortable” Christianity. Not converted to Christ, but to modern adaptation of true Christianity. Not reborn into the family of God, but to a man-made system of approaching God (aka, religion). In other words, they are devoted not to biblical Christianity, but to cultural Christianity.
Many people (like me) know more about following Christianity than following Christ. I knew the religion, but little about the relationship. Self-exam time.
Where do you see yourself in the spectrum?
Spiritual Sobriety... the reality of authentic discipleship... 