If you want God to be your God, you have to let go of things that replace God. The thing that most commonly replaces God in the lives of people is man-made religion. Much of the religious practice of people today is simply a form of self-justification. By observing the right ceremonies and laws people try to satisfy themselves, that they are right with God. Christians, too, engage in this kind of false religion. False religion is contending for correct doctrine, thinking that you are thereby upholding truth. False religion wants to be right without first recognising how wrong you are. False religion is wanting laws, ceremonies and doctrines all neatly packaged so you have something to point to that tells you that you are right. And it’s about making yourself feel good by spiritual achievements. But God wants relationship. Law and doctrine are important, yet they only have meaning in the context of relationship. Outside that context they are only idols. Paul was a man who had ticked all the religious boxes and yet, when Jesus took hold of him and drew him into a relationship with God, he considered all his righteousness as error. It is possible to be right in matters of morality and doctrine and yet be entirely in the wrong with God. This was where Paul was, but he was changed. Paul’s conversion is remarkable because not many Pharisees came to faith in Christ at that time. It is very hard to be made right when you think you’re right already. Salvation begins, from our perspective, with a willingness to be wrong.
Ask God to stretch you and show you where you are wrong about things.
Read Philippians 3:1-11
