Religion can easily get messy and confusing. In addition to the most popular religions, there are hundreds of “new” or “mainstream” religions. When you add in the multiple denominations within Christianity, it is easy to get overwhelmed and see how the whole idea of religion loses its significance and focus. The Message Bible spin on Galatians 2:20 supports this concept effortlessly. Eugene Peterson said, “What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn’t work. So, I quit being a “law man” so that I could be God’s man. Christ’s life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not “mine,” but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that. Is it not clear to you that to go back to that old rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an abandonment of everything personal and free in my relationship with God? I refuse to do that, to repudiate God’s grace. If a living relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily.” Why would anyone intentional repudiate the grace of a God?! I for one certainly do not want to frustrate the grace of God because if righteousness is attainable by the law, then Christ hath died in vain. (Galatians 2:21 WBT) Here’s a couple of things to consider about religion: it doesn’t make you holy nor better than anyone other person and it should never be place above God more less people. In closing, too many people lose sight of a relationship with Jesus because they become fixated on religion. Often, these are misguided attempts to find their worth and gain an understanding of what a true relationship with Christ is all about!!