Week 1 - Freedom from Religion

From the beginning of human history, the desperate need for man to have fellowship with God is obvious. When Adam & Eve rebelled against God and fell to sin, that fellowship was broken. Man’s sin would forever estrange him from God--bar a miracle. That miracle came to us in the form of God’s Son, Jesus. He didn’t only show us how to live. He was also the Lamb of God who “takes away the sin of the world.” His sacrifice made reconciliation possible for “whosoever” would believe on Him. Man could be saved, not because of anything he did but because of what Jesus did for him.

The story of Adam and Eve; however, shows us two options in how we approach God. They first tried to relate to God by covering themselves with fig leaves. They tried to have a relationship with Him based on their works. Another word for that is religion. God showed the better way. God provided a sacrifice that would atone for their sins and cover their nakedness. He would restore their relationship by what He did, not what they did. One is religion; the other is grace. You have to choose which one will govern your life.