Religion and Doctrine
When someone says that Jesus hates religion and just wants a relationship with them, they often then want to debate doctrine, but doctrine and religion go hand in hand; they are interconnected. They cannot discuss doctrine without admitting they accept religion. Doctrines do not come from relationships. They come from agreements meant to strengthen the relationship bond. When a man marries a woman, he does not say, “I do not like marriage, I just have a romance and connection with my spouse.” The marriage covenant ensures that he will not be unfaithful to her. This is one of the “doctrines” of the marriage agreement. If someone came along and told him, “I do not think you need to be faithful to her,” the man would justly debate the topic, since he honors his vows.
The connection to the woman is his relationship, but his vows and promises till death parts them is his marital covenant. It is his bond which is both personal and legal at the same time. When we come to Jesus because we love Him, we have a bond with Him, but He wants more than just a casual relationship. He wants true intimacy with His bride, and that is religion. It is the relationship vows and covenantal promises attached to it, and which that comes oaths and doctrines that we abide by. To say that Jesus does not like religion is to say He does not care for marital commitment. The reality is He does not like hypocrisy. He adores true commitment from His bride, binding commitment to the end. This is doctrine, and doctrine is religion. False doctrine makes for a terrible relationship, and causes us to be disobedient to Christ.
1 Timothy 4:16 - Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
If you are debating doctrine while saying that “Jesus hates religion,” then you are contradicting yourself. Doctrines are born out of religion, and religion itself is the bond which solidifies our relationship with Christ. True religion saves us. “Relationship” is the unique bond we each individually share with Our Lord. “Religion” is the knot that ties us together with Him and His entire family, globally and heavenly, into a marriage. Matrimony comes with vows, convictions, and truth, just as religion comes with doctrines, teachings, and laws.
