What's the difference between Christianity and Religion?

A short Essay by Shaun P F Higley

Christianity is Christ Like
The saddest part of peoples beliefs today is the one where they believe Christianity is a Religion. Way out. Never! Billy Graham once stated that if there ever was a country that would go to hell because of their religion it would be the United States of America. Why would a man who loves God before everything else make a statement like that? There are many religions out there but only one Christianity. To be a Christian is to be the splitting image or twin of Christ. You have to imitate Him to the maximum. Not an easy task as He was perfect and we are striving to perfection. He was and is still perfect. Who created Christianity? Paul or Jesus Christ? Jesus Christ, or God in the flesh, created Christianity, Paul perfected it. Can a Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian or Brethren be a Christian? Yes they can. As all their religions follow the Triune Godhead and the teachings thereof. The Catholics follow the Pope for their teachings and religion but Christ as their way of life. The Methodists would then follow John Wesley for their religious teachings, but still Christ as a way of life. So then how can religion and Christianity be the same, or Christianity be a religion? Mt 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:(a) 19.(a). teach...: or, make disciples, or, Christians of all nations Ac 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. Ga 1:14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. (a) 14. a. equals: Gr. equals in years Jas 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Religion is Tradition - Christianity is a way of life. Religion was supposed to come to an end at the cross. However, due to mans' inherent disobedience to God and not wanting to follow in His ways, Christianity isn't easy, we still have religion today. Many Catholics still follow the heathen ways taught to them through the generations, but few speak Christ on their lips or even know He has saved them.

Many other religions mix their religious beliefs with politics. Daniels states we as Christians should stand up and be counted. We should constantly strive to seek God's will. We should continuously pray to Him, giving Him praises and honour and glory. We should strive to be righteous. In doing this we are seen as perfect in God's eyes. The angels rejoice with Him when sinners receive the Holy Spirit in their lives. They weep when a soul is lost to the fires. There is constant bickering in Religion where there is only love amongst Christians. Just as the Muslims state that to be truly Muslim you must obey every law given in the Koran. God originally gave us ten commandments, but He reduced them to two. Thou shalt love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind, and the second is like unto it, thou shalt love your neighbour as yourself. All the rest of the commandments are built into only those two. However, just as He gives you only two, He also states that should you break one the commandments you break them all. So how do we see Christianity and religion? Religion is a teaching and a tradition. Handed down through the generations. Christianity is a way of life given to us by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. It's a means to cleanse our thoughts and hearts. Its a means to bring us to the feet of Christ. Its a means to make requests that only our heavenly Father can answer. Its that warm fuzzy we experience when we know that our Lord and Saviour is near to us, loves us and keeps us eternally safe.