Based on 2 Timothy 3:5,7

*Let this God inspired writing...from His heart to yours; help you to see the difference
​between religion and a true and lasting relationship with Christ.

As Christians, are we caught up in religion or a relationship with Christ? In other words...have we become so caught up in a traditional religion, where we go to church...know the doctrine of that particular religion, while using Christian clichés? Do we realize how religion can become a form of godliness, while denying the true power that comes from experiencing a close and deeply connected relationship with Christ?
As a  person becomes caught up in religion...this form of godliness becomes a set of rules to follow, rather than following the true and living God...and the power He longs to portray within our lives. When we take this route as a Christian, we become more devoted to what religion stands for, while denying ourselves the privilege of experiencing the power that is contained within this powerful God...a power that can cause us to rise above the despair; that attempts to take us down...along with so much more. 
How are we ever going to connect with the One, whose power can come back to us, if we are plugged into a form of godliness or religion, instead of God Himself? How will we experience healing and His sustaining love, if there is no connection that can generate that power our way?
Let us ask ourselves this question... "Can religion save our souls from hell?" If so; then why did Jesus have to die for the sins of this world? I have come to see that religion can be Satan's way of sidetracking us, from a God that can be so much more than religion; for I believe that when we become caught up in a form of godliness; then that's when man can make his own set of rules, rather than following the truth of God's word; that can keep him free.
When we choose to come to the place in our lives, where we follow a form of godliness that contains no power; then where will we be, when the wind and waves of circumstance strike us head on. What power will be there, to spare us of these brutal attacks? Will our religion come to our rescue? No...because it is only a form of godliness. What we truly need; is God and God alone...Amen!!