Christ vs. Religion

What is the difference between Christ and "religion"? Are these two at odds with each other?

First, I'm defining the term "religion" as:

Religion: man's attempt to reach God in his own efforts.

Religion requires that you exert effort, that you "do" things. For example, religions can require that you do or not do any of the following things:

• wear specific clothing; not wear specific clothing
• eat specific foods; not eat specific foods
• say specific words or phrases; not say specific words or phrases
• try to be good
• proseletyze or evangelize other people
• perform rituals
• attend church, synogogue, temple, mosque, etc.
• get baptized
• pray
• travel to holy locations
• observe days, months, years, seasons

God does not require that you do (or not do) any of the above to live with Him forever. So, you could say that the difference between religion and Christ is "doing" vs. "being".

Christ does not emphasize what you do, but who you are - in relation to Him. What does this mean? He emphasizes that He is in you and you are in Him. For more information, see Christ In You.