Colossians 1:13 “For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.”

Daniel 6:5 “So they concluded, “Our only chance of finding grounds for accusing Daniel will be in connection with the rules of his religion.”

Mankind knew that God was far off. There was a huge gap that needed to be spanned. Seizing on the only thing they had, the Ten Commandments, mankind began adding laws, traditions and rituals in an attempt to bridge the gap. Religion has always been man’s attempt to get to God. The simple truth is, if man had been capable of bridging the gap himself, then Christ’s life and death were in vain. He didn’t need to suffer for our sins if there was something we could do to make it right. Religion is all about rules. By Jesus sitting down in the first verse of Hebrews, he was telling the believers that religion is over. All priestly work is done. People who embrace religion are continuing to try and bridge a gap that Jesus has already spanned. Our transfer into the heavenly kingdom is done. Now, our focus should be on building a relationship with the one who did this for us! Jesus made this distinction in Matthew 6:7 when he explained religious prayers are just so much babbling. What God wants is for some intimate one on one time with you. The work is finished. Relationship, not rules, is what Christianity is all about.

Pray: “Dearest Father, I have grown up surrounded by religion. While it is a good thing for man to want to reach you, it is a waste of time trying to do it on our own. Jesus has already done it. We lose valuable relationship building time doing what has already been done. Help me to recognize the futility of religion and spend my time growing my relationship with you and my dear brother. I am here, Lord…speak to me…in Jesus mighty name – Amen.”