John 17:3 (NIV)

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

One of the things I’ve noticed about the way some Christians define their faith is by the things they do or don’t do.  In previous times Christians would often say with pride, “I don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t chew and I don’t go with girls who do.”  Today this same statement is often said tongue in cheek yet too many Christians are still living by similar systems of rule keeping.  These list keepers are often seeking to create a religious system based on outward morality and perhaps there is some self-satisfaction in this facade of religiosity.

True Christianity is not about rules it’s about a relationship.  We’re told this in our verse for today.  Our faith at its core is about knowing Christ and building a relationship with Him.  How exactly does one do this?  How do we reject a religion of rules while pursuing a relationship with our Savior?  It begins by accepting His death on the cross as a payment for sin which is the starting place for a relationship with Him.  Our faith actually begins with a relationship with God.  After one has become a Christian the grand pursuit of faith is in pursuing a relationship with Christ.

How does one do this?  By studying His Word, the Bible, by fellowshipping with other believers and by worshipping Him, not just on Sunday at church but also by offering our lives as a daily living sacrifice to Him.  Our greatest endeavor in our faith is not the keeping of lists but in knowing Jesus.

Won’t you make it your goal today to know Christ more?

Philippians 3:9(NIV)

and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.