God Desires Your Heart, Not Your Religion

​For many people, attending church or being a Christian seems to imply an obligation to have everything figured out in terms of being a perfect moral person.  In reality, God is looking for people who will serve Him and be faithful as they mature in a relationship with Him (Colossians 3:23-24; Romans 12:1; Matthew 6:24; 1 Samuel 12:24; Deuteronomy 15:10).  Attending church is not for those who have it all figured out, but for people who realize their need for God through a relationship with Jesus Christ (Matthew 9:12; Mark 2:17; James 5:14; Proverbs 18:1; Joshua 1:8; Hebrews 10:23-26).  A religious spirit causes people to believe they must have everything in their life together before darkening the door of a church.  That same demon also causes those who may attend a church to believe, as long as they fulfill an obligation to God by going ever so often, without a personal relationship with God, that they are pleasing Him.  The overall theme of the Bible and the purpose of attending church is for each person to give their heart to God and serve Him all the days of their life (Proverbs 3:5-6; James 4:7; 2 Corinthians 5:17; John 15:5; Matthew 6:33).  When people make church about a social gathering, the point of assembling has been missed (Ephesians 4:11-16).  The Bible states that obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22).  The sacrifice of going to church from a religious obligation or out of necessity to not go to Hell is not the heart God desires, but a heart of servitude that is submitted to Him (John 14:15; Jeremiah 7:23; Exodus 19:5; 1 Peter 1:14; Isaiah 1:19).  When people submit to God through a heart of faith and love, they are giving God what He desires most.  People who truly give God their heart will love one another, worship God above all things, be faithful in the spiritual things and the natural things as good stewards of what God has given them, and continue to grow in their relationship with Him (John 13:34-35; 1 John 4:20; Hebrews 13:15; John 4:23; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 Corinthians 4:2; Matthew 25:21; Luke 16:10; Deuteronomy 8:18; James 4:8; 1 Corinthians 13:11).  God’s people start as those who are separated from God, but they call upon the name of Jesus in repentance of their sins allowing them to become children of God.  This same heart is what God desires to continue within the lives of His people, a heart that will call on Him in the good times and the bad.  A heart that desires to remain with Him because He will never leave nor forsake His people (Hebrews 13:5; Deuteronomy 31:6; Deuteronomy 31:8; Matthew 28:20).  A person’s religion will get them rebuked for not having a heart for God (Matthew 23:1-6; Matthew 23:24-33; Mark 12:38-40; Matthew 6:1-8; Luke 20:45-47).  When a person’s relationship with God is solely based on their outward appearance, they do not have a relationship with God but a religious mindset.  God desires for people to have a heart for Him, like He has a heart for His people.  May more people begin to overcome the religious mindset and love God with all of their heart, mind, soul, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27).  When a person loves God with all of their heart, they will go to church to be in their Father’s house.  They will study the Bible to know God more.  They will pray to talk to their heavenly Father.  This is what God desires.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org.