DEPART FROM ME: 5 Days to Know You're Really Savedಮಾದರಿ

Religion vs. Relationship

Devotion: Eternal life isn't going to church. It's not being baptized, taking communion, or serving in ministry. Eternal life is knowing God. Personal, intimate, relational knowledge.

The Greek word "know" (ginōskō) means experiential, intimate knowledge—the same word used for sexual intimacy between a husband and wife. It's not knowing about someone. It's knowing someone.

The people in Matthew 7 knew about Jesus. They used His name. Performed ministry. But Jesus said, "I never knew you." They didn't have a relationship—they had a religious routine.

Here's the difference:

Religion says: I go to church. Relationship says: I talk to God daily.

Religion says: I believe Jesus existed. Relationship says: I trust Jesus with my life.

Religion says: I do good works. Relationship says: I obey because I love Him.

Religion says: I pray before meals. Relationship says: I pray without ceasing.

Religion says: I know the Bible. Relationship says: The Bible transforms me.

You can have perfect theology and be perfectly lost. You can attend church your whole life and never meet Jesus. You can serve in ministry and never surrender your life.

Salvation isn't accepting facts about Jesus. It's receiving Jesus Himself. Not adding Him to your life—giving Him your life. Not making Him your Savior only—making Him your Lord.

Do you know Jesus? Or do you just know about Him? There's a universe of difference. One leads to eternal life. The other leads to "depart from Me."

Declaration: "I don't just know about Jesus—I know Jesus. My faith is not information; it's transformation. I have a relationship with the living God, not just religion."

Prayer: "Jesus, I don't want head knowledge—I want heart knowledge. I don't want to know about You—I want to know You. Deepen my relationship with You. Let my faith be personal, intimate, and real. In Your name, amen."