Relationship vs. Religion: Living in the Freedom of God’s Love

Good day, my brothers and sisters. Here is something to get your spiritual motor going. It is a topic that’s close to my heart and vital for your soul: Relationship vs. Religion—how we can live the lives God has ordained for us without falling prey to the controlling abuses of religion. So many of us have felt the weight of religion’s demands: “You have to believe this, not that. You must uphold this doctrine, not that one. To be successful, you have to do this and look like that.” It sounds appealing if you’re chasing a checklist, but God’s Kingdom is not about religion. It’s about relationship—a living, breathing connection with the Creator who loves you and calls you to freedom.

What Is the Difference Between Relationship and Religion?

This message will be a liberating truth. I would like to bring forward the difference between relationship and religion. God has called us to lives of freedom, not to be bound by the controlling demands of religion that say, “Believe this, not that. Follow this doctrine. Look this way to be successful.” Those are human constructs, but God’s Kingdom is about a living relationship with Him—a relationship that sets us free to become who He created us to be. Let’s unpack this through a powerful passage from Scripture, an analogy to ground us, and practical steps to live in this freedom.

The Garden vs. the Rulebook: A Powerful Analogy

Imagine you’re invited to a beautiful garden, vibrant with colors, alive with the scent of flowers, and filled with the warmth of the sun. The gardener, who loves you deeply, says, “Walk with me, learn from me, and enjoy this garden’s beauty.” That’s relationship—living, growing, and thriving in the presence of the one who created it all. Now, contrast that with a rulebook handed to you at the garden gate, listing 50 ways to walk, 20 approved flowers to smell, and a dress code to prove you belong. That’s religion—rigid, controlling, and focused on compliance over connection. The passage we’re exploring today speaks of the “perfect law of liberty,” which is like that garden: it’s not a list of rules to bind you but an invitation to walk freely with God, transformed by His love.

The Perfect Law of Liberty (James 1:25)

Let’s start with a powerful truth from James’ epistle.

“But those who look into the perfect law of liberty and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing.” This “perfect law of liberty”

Understand that this isn’t a rulebook to chain you down; it’s the liberating truth of God’s Word, revealed through Himself being Spirit in Christ. It’s not about rigid doctrines or appearances—it’s about gazing into the heart of God and letting His truth set you free.

Religion often says, “Follow the rules, or you’re out.” But God’s Kingdom says, “Come as you are, and let Me transform you through love.”

So, what does this freedom look like? How do we live as God’s children, unshackled by the expectations of religion? The answer lies in another profound verse. James’s call to action complements the hope of transformation in 1 John, reinforcing Christlikeness through relationship.

“Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when He is revealed, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is.” (1 John 3:2)

Isn’t that beautiful? We don’t have to know exactly what.

Now, let’s set the stage for this passage. James, a servant of God and a leader in the early church, writes to scattered Jewish believers—followers of Jesus who have been dispersed across the Mediterranean world due to persecution. These are people living in tough times, facing trials, poverty, and pressure from both their Jewish roots and the Greco-Roman culture around them. James writes to encourage them to live out their faith authentically, not just as a set of beliefs but as a way of life that reflects God’s heart.

This passage from James sets the stage for our journey tonight. Before speaking of the ‘perfect law of liberty,’ James reminds his readers that God’s word of truth gives us new life, calling us to listen carefully and act humbly. Afterward, he challenges empty religion and favoritism, urging us to live out God’s love by caring for the vulnerable and treating all people equally.

This is the heart of relationship over religion: a faith that transforms us to be like Christ, unites us in love, and anchors us in hope. Here is that verse in its’ proper context.

“Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. No one, when tempted, should say, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one. But one is tempted by one’s own desire, being lured and enticed by it; then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death. Do not be deceived, my beloved. Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfillment of his own purpose, he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures. You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. Therefore, rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.

But those who look into the perfect law of liberty and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing.

If any think they are religious and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world. My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Have a seat here, please,” while to the poor one you say, “Stand there,” or, “Sit at my feet,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him?

But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you? If you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well.”

He’s addressing a community wrestling with how to follow Jesus in a world pulling them in different directions. Some are tempted to conform to the world’s standards—chasing wealth, status, or approval. Others face pressure from religious traditions that emphasize rituals and rules over genuine faith. James is calling them to a faith that works—a faith that’s alive, active, and rooted in God’s truth, not human regulations.

When James speaks of the “perfect law of liberty,” he’s pointing them to the transformative power of God’s Word, fulfilled in Jesus, which frees them to live as God’s children, not as slaves to rules.

Cultural Significance

Culturally, these early believers lived in a world not much different than ours today, where religion was everywhere. Jewish traditions demanded strict adherence to the Law of Moses—rituals, sacrifices, and purity laws. Meanwhile, Greco-Roman society had its own gods, temples, and social expectations, where status and appearance often dictated worth. For Jewish Christians, following Jesus meant navigating both worlds: honoring their heritage while embracing a new way of life. The idea of a “law of liberty” was radical. In a culture obsessed with control—whether through religious rules or societal norms—James’s words offered freedom. This wasn’t about abandoning God’s truth but about living it out through love, mercy, and justice, not legalism.

The Original Audience’s Perspective

Those who first heard James’s letter were likely a mix of Jewish converts and early Gentile believers, scattered across cities like Antioch, Ephesus, or Rome. They were living through persecution, economic hardship, and social exclusion.

Many had fled Jerusalem after Stephen’s martyrdom, facing hostility from both Jewish leaders and Roman authorities. They knew what it felt like to be torn between worlds—trying to honor God while facing pressure to conform.

When they heard, “Those who look into the perfect law of liberty and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing,” it would have struck a chord. They weren’t just to listen to God’s Word; they were to live it. This “perfect law” wasn’t the burdensome rules they’d known but the liberating truth of Jesus’s teachings—love God, love your neighbor, show mercy. It was a call to action, promising blessing not in rigid compliance but in faithful living. They would have felt hope, knowing God saw their struggles and offered a path to freedom through relationship with Him.

God’s Perspective

From God’s heart, this passage is an invitation to His children to trust Him over human systems. He’s not a taskmaster demanding perfect performance; He’s the Father who desires intimacy with us.

Why Religion Chains but Relationship Frees

The “perfect law of liberty” is His design for living—rooted in His love, guided by His Spirit, and fulfilled in Jesus THE CHRIST, who showed us what it means to live freely yet faithfully. God is saying, “Don’t be chained by religion’s demands or the world’s expectations. Look to Me, walk with Me, and let My truth shape you.” He’s calling us to a life where our actions flow from love, not obligation, and where our identity is found in Him, not in what we do or how we appear.

Christlikeness, Unity, and Relationship: The Heart of the Message

Let’s bring this home with three key truths that tie this message together:

1. Christlikeness: Our Individual Pursuit
   God calls each of us to become like His Son, Jesus. Another passage beautifully captures this:

“Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2

This is our goal—not to mimic a religious ideal but to reflect Jesus’s character: His love, His compassion, His humility. Christlikeness isn’t about perfection; it’s about daily surrendering to God’s Spirit, letting Him shape our hearts and actions to mirror His Son. When we gaze into the perfect law of liberty, we see Jesus, and we’re transformed to be like Him.

2. Unity: Our Collective Command
God doesn’t just call us as individuals; He calls us to be one body, united in love. Jesus prayed for His followers to be one, just as He and the Father are one. In a world divided by differences—cultural, social, or religious—God commands us to seek unity. This doesn’t mean uniformity, where everyone looks or thinks the same. It means loving one another despite our differences, forgiving each other, and working together to reflect God’s Kingdom.

The perfect law of liberty frees us to build bridges, not walls, uniting us in the common pursuit of Christlikeness.

3. Relationship: The Hope That Ties It All Together
At the core of it all is relationship—with God and with one another. Religion builds systems; relationship builds hope. When we walk with God, we grow in Christlikeness. When we love one another, we fulfill the command for unity. Relationship is the heartbeat of God’s Kingdom, where we’re not bound by rules but bound to Him and each other in love. It’s the hope that keeps us going, knowing that as we see Jesus more clearly, we become like Him, and as we love one another, we reflect His heart to the world.

How to Walk in Freedom: 3 Practical Steps

So, how do we live this out today? How do we choose relationship over religion and walk in the freedom God ordains? Here are three practical steps to edify and strengthen you:

1. Gaze into God’s Truth Daily: The “perfect law of liberty” isn’t a one-time glance; it’s a daily encounter with God through His Word and prayer. Spend time with Him—not to check a box, but to know Him. Read the Scriptures, not as a rulebook, but as a love letter revealing His heart. Let His truth shape your thoughts and actions.
2. Act on Love, Not Rules: Religion focuses on what you must do to be “good enough.” Relationship asks, “How can I love God and others today?” When faced with a decision, ask yourself, “Does this reflect God’s love and mercy?” Whether it’s forgiving someone, serving a neighbor, or standing for justice, let love guide your actions.
3. Fix Your Eyes on Jesus: The passage from another letter says, “Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is.” Keep your focus on Jesus, not on religious expectations. He’s the prize—the One who transforms us as we walk with Him. When you feel the weight of “shoulds” and “musts,” look to Him and let His Spirit guide you into freedom.

Final Encouragement: Step Into the Garden of Relationship / The Heart of the Message

Let’s bring this home with three key truths that tie this message together:

1. Christlikeness: Our Individual Pursuit
   God calls each of us to become like His Son, Jesus. Another passage beautifully captures this: “Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is.” This is our goal—not to mimic a religious ideal but to reflect Jesus’s character: His love, His compassion, His humility. Christlikeness isn’t about perfection; it’s about daily surrendering to God’s Spirit, letting Him shape our hearts and actions to mirror His Son. When we gaze into the perfect law of liberty, we see Jesus, and we’re transformed to be like Him.
2. Unity: Our Collective Command
   God doesn’t just call us as individuals; He calls us to be one body, united in love. Jesus prayed for His followers to be one, just as He and the Father are one. In a world divided by differences—cultural, social, or religious—God commands us to seek unity. This doesn’t mean uniformity, where everyone looks or thinks the same. It means loving one another despite our differences, forgiving each other, and working together to reflect God’s Kingdom. The perfect law of liberty frees us to build bridges, not walls, uniting us in the common pursuit of Christlikeness.
3. Relationship: The Hope That Ties It All Together
   At the core of it all is relationship—with God and with one another. Religion builds systems; relationship builds hope. When we walk with God, we grow in Christlikeness. When we love one another, we fulfill the command for unity. Relationship is the heartbeat of God’s Kingdom, where we’re not bound by rules but bound to Him and each other in love. It’s the hope that keeps us going, knowing that as we see Jesus more clearly, we become like Him, and as we love one another, we reflect His heart to the world.

Closing: The Prize of Relationship

Beloved, God’s Kingdom is not about religion’s chains but about the liberty of relationship. You don’t have to look a certain way, believe a certain doctrine, or follow a certain script to be His. You are His child, called to walk with Him, to be transformed by His love, and to live out His truth in freedom. Tonight, let go of the rulebook and step into the garden. Gaze into the perfect law of liberty, act on His love, and keep your eyes on Jesus. That’s the life God has ordained for you—a life of relationship, not religion.

Let’s pray:

Father, thank You for the freedom of Your Kingdom. Help us to walk with You, to live by Your love, and to be transformed by Your truth. Free us from the burdens of religion and draw us into deeper relationship with You. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

Grace & Peace
Dr. John Roberts THD
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