When Religion Doesn't Bring You Any Closer To G-d
Religion as slavery
If God redeemed our ancestors from Egypt, why does religion feels so much like slavery?
If you are feeling crushed by the demands of Torah, you are not alone. Judaism is not unique among religions when it places demands on people which G-d never intended.
G-d led the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt in order to make us free. And He gave us the Torah so we might have a relationship with Him. The Torah is a guide for Israel to know G-d.
Sadly, even with the best of intentions, we can misuse the good things G-d gives us. By treating the Torah as a list of “do’s and don’ts” we misunderstand who G-d is. And when this happens, the life full of freedom which G-d intended for us to have is choked out by guilt, shame and a sense of obligation.
So is our only alternative to religion to turn our back on G-d completely? Many have tried this. But this is not a path that leads to freedom and life either.
Is there another way?
It may be easy to think that giving up on G-d will free us from the crushing weight of religious duty. Discarding Him would lighten our load and allow us to live the lives we always wanted, right?
In reality a life without G-d can be as isolating and burden-filled as a life of striving to live up to the demands of Torah. G-d’s designed path is different than either of these two choices. Some of us have discovered this way from a surprising source. Listen to these words.
Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my you yoke upon you, and learn from me,
for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)
The One who sets us free
These words are not found in the Talmud. They were spoken by Yeshua (Jesus) as he invited people to unload the burden of man-made rules they never could keep. He desires we live the lives G-d means us to — lives of freedom, rest, and shalom.
Yeshua offers us a better way than we could ever come up with on our own. We don’t have to make ourselves worthy in order to come to Him. We hope that you are willing to explore the ways that Yeshua can set you free.