Can you be religious and still miss Christ? It sounds like an impossible question, yet Jesus warned that it happens more often than we realize.
Today, that confusion is often on full display across social media. It is disheartening to watch Christians argue over whose denomination is the “right” one. Catholics criticize Protestants. Protestants criticize Catholics. Each side points to its theology, traditions, or history as proof that it has the superior understanding of God.
As I read these exchanges, I find myself asking a different question:
What if both sides are missing the more important issue?
Can a Catholic faithfully attend Mass and a Bible-believing Protestant faithfully attend church every Sunday…and both miss Christ?
Sadly, I believe the answer is yes.
Now before you close this article thinking I’m criticizing one denomination over another, let me assure you—that isn’t my point at all.
The real issue isn’t Catholicism vs Protestantism
The real issue is
Religion vs Relationship
When Religion Misses the Mark
Jesus’ strongest rebukes weren’t directed at pagans or immoral people. They were directed at deeply religious leaders who knew the Scriptures but failed to recognize the One to whom those Scriptures pointed.
The first of His seven woes begins this way:
“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.”
— Matthew 23:13
Imagine that.
The very men entrusted with teaching God’s Word were actually preventing people from entering God’s kingdom.
The problem wasn’t that they were religious.
The problem was that their religion had become a substitute for a genuine relationship with God.
When Jesus completed His work on the cross, the veil separating humanity from God’s presence was torn in two. God was declaring that access to Him would no longer come through an earthly priesthood or religious system, but through His Son.
Pastors and priests have an important role. Faithful church leaders don’t replace Christ—they point people to Him. Woe to any leader who points people toward a church system, personal platform, or religious performance instead of the Savior.
Lip Service Isn’t Heart Transformation
Jesus exposed the heart of empty religion in just a few short verses:
“This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” — Matthew 15:7–9
Notice the contrast.
Their lips honored God.
Their hearts were far from Him.
Their worship appeared sincere, but it was empty because it flowed from tradition instead of love.
The problem wasn’t that they worshiped.
The problem was that their worship had become performance instead of relationship.
That same danger exists today.
We can become so consumed with defending our denomination, preserving our traditions, or proving our theology that we forget the One who those things were meant to point us toward.
The Religious Treadmill
Every religion—including Christianity when it is reduced to a list of duties—can become a treadmill.
None of these things (praying, reading the Bible, attending church, serving) are wrong in themselves… unless…they are attempts to earn God’s acceptance.
The question is not what we are doing.
The question is why we are doing it.
What is your why?
If we are trying to earn God’s acceptance, we’ve stepped onto the treadmill of religion.
When these things are motivated by gratitude rather than obligation, they become the joyful fruit of a relationship with Jesus.
Meet Steven
Steven has God figured out—or at least he thinks he does.
He has been married to his high school sweetheart for thirty years. Together they raised eight children to love God. His family rarely missed church. He serves as an usher, volunteers whenever help is needed, gives generously, and faithfully participates in every rite and tradition his church requires.
From the outside, Steven looks like the model Christian.
Truthfully, I don’t know Steven’s heart.
But I know someone whose story was remarkably similar.
Mine.
There was a time in my life when I measured my relationship with God by what I was doing for Him rather than what Christ had already done for me.
I was religious.
But I wasn’t enjoying His presence.
One Question Changes Everything
A pastor once asked the congregation a question I have never forgotten.
“If you stood before Jesus today and He asked, ‘Why should I let you into heaven?’ how would you answer?”
Our answer reveals more about the posture of our heart than we may realize.
If my answer begins with:
“Because I…”
- attended church every Sunday…
- was baptized…
- taught Sunday school…
- volunteered…
- tithed faithfully…
- lived a good life…
…then my confidence is resting on me.
But what if my answer begins with:
“Because You…”
- suffered and died on the cross for my sins.
- rose from the grave.
- paid the debt I could never pay.
- became my Lord and Savior.
- welcomed me into Your family through faith.
Now my confidence rests where it belongs.
Not in my performance.
But in His finished work.
That is the difference between religion and relationship.
How Does a Relationship with God Begin?
The apostle John answers that question beautifully:
“But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God…” — John 1:12
Notice the language:
- Receive.
- Believe.
- Become God’s children.
That’s relationship language.
Jesus later defines eternal life this way:
“And this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” — John 17:3
Notice what Jesus doesn’t say.
He doesn’t define eternal life as:
- attending church
- Or being baptized.
- Or becoming religious.
- Or keeping rules.
He defines it as knowing God.
Not merely knowing about Him.
Knowing Him personally.
Grace Opens the Door
How do we enter that relationship?
Certainly not by earning it.
Paul writes:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” — Ephesians 2:8–9
Grace is God’s gift.
Faith is simply the empty hand that receives it.
We don’t earn salvation.
We receive the One who earned it for us.
Paul continues:
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand…”
— Romans 5:1–2
One word in that passage captures the entire gospel.
Access.
Religion spends a lifetime trying to earn access.
Jesus gives access.
Which Are You Pursuing?
Christians have disagreed for centuries about priests, pastors, sacraments, church government, and tradition. Those conversations matter and deserve thoughtful discussion.
But beneath all those differences lies a far more personal question.
Am I trusting in my religious activity to bring me closer to God…
or am I resting in the finished work of Jesus Christ?
Religion says:
“Do more! Keep bringing sacrifices. Keep trying harder. Maybe you’ll be accepted.”
Jesus says,
“It is finished. The work has been done! I am the way into God’s presence. Draw near with confidence.”
Religion focuses on what we do for God.
Relationship begins with what Christ has already done for us.
Religion tries to earn access.
Jesus gives access.
Which one are you pursuing?
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