Do you ever wonder what Christians are talking about when they say “Christianity is not a religion, it’s a relationship”?
Recently, when I was contemplating my frustration with the need for workplace dress codes, I had an epiphany. Or an analogy. Something like that.
You see, I don’t really think it should be necessary to have detailed dress codes. No, I believe that people should be internally motivated to dress in a way that benefits both their employer and their own career. So how does that relate to religion, you ask? Well, when Christians say that Christianity is not a religion what they mean is that, according to their belief system, they are not required to live up to any certain code of behavior. That is unlike other religions.
The reason their behavior often (not always, unfortunately) looks like what you would expect a religion to require is because they are internally motivated. Internally motivated by a relationship.
As all analogies are, this one is imperfect. But is it helpful?
Great analogy! I’ve heard it said, “The sign ‘Keep off the grass’ is not for Christians.” Meaning, Christians should not need to be told to treat property with respect.
However, even some Christians are more clueless than others and don’t realize that certain items of clothing [or behavior, or language] communicate a certain message, though, and need to be instructed by rules or what have you.
Well, of course you’re right about Christians still needing to be instructed. I hadn’t really thought about that. My husband has a co-worker who said he goes to church to see cleavage. Yuk!
I like the analogy! It’s probably like Christianity though… the majority of the people do know what the appropriate thing to do is. Unfortunately, there are those few that really haven’t a clue, or simply don’t really care. Which just as it does in Christianity, in dress as well, the lack of personal desire surprises me as well. You’d think you’d want to do something that in the end furthers your career, or your relationship with Jesus. Or you’d have enough common sense to do it… but some people! I guess that’s why we have rules… for those few people who are just clueless or plain want to make life difficult for the rest of us.
I agree there should be an internal motivator.
A former pastor of mine used to say there are three types of people: believers, unbelievers and make believers. This might should mean or prejudice, but I think there are a lot more make believers in Christianity today than we want to believe, admit or acknowledge. And I think it is these make believer folks who help to foster wrongs idea of true Christianity.
That said, there are a lot of immature believers who need to be taught-mentored-discipled. That doesn’t mean they need a checklist and set of rules. They need to know what the Bible says and how that should or might live out in daily life.
Can you tell this is a hot button of mine! : )
Your real-world analogy does show that motivation … not HOW we need to be living more rightly, but WHY we do. I like it!
Cleavage in Church….great addendum to Rebecca’s point. If we are internally motivated…those who show cleavage and those who admire it whilst “worshiping God” are showing their true natures.
~Anna