RELIGION WITHOUT RELATIONSHIP

RELIGION WITHOUT RELATIONSHIP

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Judges 17

Key Verse: Judges 17:5–6 – “And the man Micah had an house of gods, and made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest. In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”

Description: Without God’s Word, people create their own religion.

INTRODUCTION:
Religion without relationship is empty, powerless, and deceptive. True Christianity is not about rituals, ceremonies, or personal inventions of worship but about a living relationship with the true and living God. In Judges 17, Micah built a shrine, made idols, and ordained his own priest, yet all of these had no approval from God. This was not worship—it was man’s attempt to replace God’s order with human tradition.

The absence of divine authority and godly leadership in Israel during that period led everyone to do what seemed right in their own eyes. But sincerity without truth leads to error. Micah was sincere, but he was sincerely wrong. His religion had no life because it was without God’s presence, God’s Word, and God’s Spirit.

This passage challenges us to examine ourselves today: Are we practising Christianity as a ritual, or are we walking daily in a living relationship with Jesus Christ?

1.  RELIGION WITHOUT RELATIONSHIP BREEDS IDOLATRY

a) Idolatry is born out of human imagination (Exodus 32:1-4)

b) When God’s Word is ignored, man creates substitutes (Romans 1:21-23)

c) False worship never satisfies the soul (Jeremiah 2:13)

d) Idolatry always provokes God’s anger (Deuteronomy 6:14-15)

Biblical Example: The golden calf in the wilderness (Exodus 32:7-10)

2.  RELIGION WITHOUT RELATIONSHIP CREATES SELF-MADE PRIESTS

a) God alone chooses and ordains priests (Hebrews 5:4)

b) Man-made priests lack divine authority (Numbers 16:1-3)

c) Spiritual leadership without calling leads to destruction (John 10:1)

d) Every believer is called into true priesthood in Christ (1 Peter 2:9)

Biblical Example: Korah’s rebellion against God’s chosen priesthood (Numbers 16:31-35)

3.  RELIGION WITHOUT RELATIONSHIP IS BASED ON HUMAN OPINION, NOT GOD’S WORD

a) Man does what seems right in his own eyes (Proverbs 14:12)

b) Tradition replaces truth when the Word is absent (Mark 7:7-9)

c) Human wisdom cannot replace divine revelation (1 Corinthians 2:14)

d) Only God’s Word is the standard for true worship (John 4:23-24)

Biblical Example: King Saul offering sacrifice without waiting for Samuel (1 Samuel 13:8-13)

4.  RELIGION WITHOUT RELATIONSHIP PRODUCES FALSE SECURITY

a) Micah thought God was with him because of his shrine (Judges 17:13)

b) Outward religion deceives the heart (2 Timothy 3:5)

c) Empty religion cannot deliver in times of crisis (Jeremiah 7:4-8)

d) True assurance comes only through Christ (Romans 8:16)

Biblical Example: The seven sons of Sceva who used Jesus’ name without relationship (Acts 19:13-16)

5.  RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD IS THE ONLY TRUE WORSHIP

a) God desires fellowship, not rituals (Genesis 3:8-9)

b) A relationship with Jesus gives life (John 15:5)

c) The Holy Spirit connects us to God (Romans 8:14-16)

d) Eternal life is knowing God personally (John 17:3)

Biblical Example: Abraham, called the friend of God (James 2:23)

CONCLUSION:
Religion without relationship is deception. True Christianity is a living relationship with Jesus Christ, built on His Word and His Spirit. We must not be content with rituals or man-made worship. God is calling us to intimacy with Him, to know Him personally, and to follow His Word fully.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, deliver me from every form of empty religion.
2. Father, restore my personal relationship with You.
3. Lord, open my eyes to see any idols in my heart.
4. Father, give me grace to worship You in Spirit and in truth.
5. Lord, let my faith be based on Your Word and not traditions.
6. Father, make me a true priest and worshipper in Your presence.
7. Lord, uproot every false security from my life.
8. Father, baptise me afresh with Your Holy Spirit.
9. Lord, keep me from doing what is right in my own eyes.
10. Father, help me to walk daily in true intimacy with You.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:
1. You will not walk in empty religion; you will walk in true relationship with God.
2. Every idol in your life is destroyed in Jesus’ name.
3. You will not be deceived by rituals but will live in the reality of Christ.
4. The Lord will open your eyes to His truth and guide your steps.
5. You will never rely on man-made priests or traditions again.
6. Your worship will be in Spirit and in truth.
7. You will not have a form of godliness without power—you will carry divine power.
8. Your life will reflect a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ.
9. You will not be led by human opinion but by the Word of God.
10. From today, your walk with God shall be closer, deeper, and more intimate.