Obedience is Not an Option

The Lord loves us so much, but we so easily forget His devotion to us, and then get caught up in serving self rather than serving Him. Some might consider me a religious man, but religion and ritual bring nothing but bondage. How can I say that? Were not the Pharisees Sadducees religious people? But they had no heart for God's truth: which is His Son, Jesus Christ. For if they did have a heart for God, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory! These men were more interested in tradition and ritual than establishing a relationship. They refused to accept Jesus as their Messiah. The Bible says they were all envious and jealous because of all the people that were drawn to Him by the words He spoke. So when people try to label me religious, I ask them, "Do I speak and act like I want Jesus dead?" Of course they will answer, "No." Then I tell them, "Then I can't be religious." This stumps them, they don't know what to label me as. That's because they don't understand it's a relationship. Do you?