When Religion Makes You Sick
by Victoria Gaines

Several years ago, I sought after God with a heavy heart. Sick of religion, I hungered for the abundant life—something I heard about but didn’t understand. Where was the rest? The easy yoke? Most of life was a constant battle against my twin companions, depression and defeat. To rise above feelings, circumstances, and the expectations of others seemed impossible. So I toiled and spinned and struggled. “That Christian stuff doesn’t work – give it up!” the enemy sneered. Yes, I had to agree. I was sick of it.

But that was my problem: I was tired because I was struggling. God didn’t intend for us to struggle by living the Christian life, putting Him first, or imitating Christ. Don’t be shocked–these efforts sound good, and it’s what we’ve been taught. But these efforts don’t work.

The reason? We can’t live the Christian life—it’s impossible. Only Christ can live it through us. It took years of “breaking” before this truth could sink in. The harder I strived to be Christ-like, the more discouraged I felt. Soon I was angry with God. I failed. I burned-out. But no wonder! Much of my “fruit” was synthetic. I had rushed ahead of God to make my life presentable to Him and others. That’s not what He called us to do.

In all my efforts, I forgot His desire…to live through me. The thought of rest was a foreign concept. But Jesus doesn’t want us to put Him first—He wants to be our LIFE. “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3, ESV).

Since we live by faith, not by sight, we can say with the apostle Paul, “And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6, ESV). My translation went more like this, “He who began a good work in you expects you to shape up and do right.” Believing this lie kept me from trusting Christ to work in me. I knew tons of Scripture–I just didn’t get it. I fell for lies and half-truths. But the enemy only has power over us inasmuch as we believe his lies. The antidote, of course, is to believe the truth. Not only believe, but walk joyfully in it, trusting God to enable us with His love, grace, and power.

Freedom from performance comes by knowing and believing who I am in Christ. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. And the real life I now live within this body is a result of my trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20, Living Bible). Drivenness is not a virtue. But the Holy Spirit gently leads as we submit to His will for our lives. Where He leads, He also enables. That’s the easy yoke He’s talking about.

Since coming to Christ, my old self is now dead, along with my old ways of coping with life and performing to please others. The “new me” that lives is a brand new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). To stop identifying with my old ways means to reckon them as dead, and cling to who I am in Christ. Christ is my life. This transformation comes through the literal renewing of my mind with truth, not just agreeing with it. As I choose to rely on Christ instead of my efforts, I draw life from Him. “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19, ESV).

People sometimes ask, “What can I do to appropriate this truth? What can I do to change?” My answer? We don’t change by doing, but by believing the truth. “The more you reaffirm who you are in Christ, the more your behavior will begin to reflect your new identity,” says Neil T. Anderson, author of Victory Over the Darkness. What we believe about ourselves determines our behavior. As believers, we’re no longer sinners, but saints, declared righteous by God.

The words of a distraught shopper gripped my heart last year. “I hate the holidays! Just more running around like I don’t do that enough all year!” The weariness in her tone reminded me of my own desperation not so long ago. She needed rest. Maybe you do, too. Maybe you’re tired of trying to measure up. If so, ask the Lord to reveal Himself to you. Don’t be afraid to surrender to Him completely. “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30).

Sick of religion? Me, too. Take His yoke, dear friend. It’s the difference between religion, and life—abundant life.

©2006 Victoria Gaines. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Bio:

Victoria Gaines lives near Atlanta where she and hubby are the parents of three beautiful grown children and one delightful granddaughter. No stranger to adversity, Victoria writes to impart hope to those who find themselves struggling with life. Her devotionals and articles have been published in various e-zines, church ministry newsletters, denominational publications, and book compilations such as A Cup of Comfort Devotional (2004) and Pinches of Salt, Prisms of Light (1999). Her other devotionals may be found at Crossmap.com and Windows to My Soul. Email: windowstomysoul@gmail.com