ALETHEIA: RELATIONSHIP OVER RELIGION

Christianity isn't a religion, it's a relationship. Everything that falls under the umbrella of religion all focuses on reaching a higher state a of being through a person's a own efforts. Essentially you receive a reward for good behavior. God hated how He was made a religion in the past because people had perverted His law into a work-based religion and a way to alienate people (Luke 11:42).

Christians are in relationship with God. We know we could never earn salvation and that our sin separates us from God (Romans 3:23). The wages of sin is death and that debt was paid through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23). God so badly wanted to reconcile our debt so that He could have a relationship with us. So He sent Jesus to fulfill the law that we couldn't uphold and then Jesus paid the ransom for our sins (Matthew 20:28). Those who accept this atonement accepts Jesus as their Savior and are adopted into this beautiful family of God (Ephesians 1:5, 2:8-9). This grace and sacrificial love is what drives Christians to glorify and worship our Heavenly Father.

This is truly a Father and child relationship. When we love our earthly parents for the sacrifices they make in their lives for us-the best way to show our gratefulness is through our obedience to them. The same is true with our Heavenly Father. The laws given to us are for our own good. God is infinitely knowledgeable, all knowing, and His plan is way better than we can ever wrap our minds around.

I feel the closest to God when I obey his commands because I love Him (1 John 5:3). It's when our reverence of Him is the most genuine. By being near the Father, near the vine, I don't thirst for the temporary things I once longed for but I've been quenched by His never ending joy, peace, love, and patience. God is always good.