I have had the opportunity lately to reflect on relationships. I am thankful for the many different types of relationships that I have the opportunity to enjoy. I am thankful especially that I have a relationship with my Lord and Savior. Christianity has been accused of being nothing more than just another religion with rituals, disciplines, and sacraments aimed at a figure of deity of the person's choice. First, I see Christianity as a relationship (not a religion) because I see that God stepped into His creation by laying aside His privileges of God (and all its splendor) and donning a body of finite mortality. Second, I see Christianity as a relationship because I see that God modeled everything that was taught in His Word and fulfilled the holy requirements that we couldn't because of our rebellion. Finally, I see Christianity as a relationship because I see that God did not set up an unattainable standard that people should strive to live up to but He died that all who accepted His free gift (His own life given in sacrifice for our sins) could be imputed with His righteousness... and, by definition, be put in a right relationship with God (against whom we have sinned). It is not about what we are doing (religion)... it is about what He has done for us to live in a relationship with Him. I am NOT THERE YET... but it is not dependent on me because He is the One who is lovingly transforming me into His likeness if I let Him.