I read a book when I first became a Christian: "How to be a Christian Without Being Religious" by Fritz Ritenour
He had this same idea that "Religion is man's way of reaching God, but that Christianity is God's way of reaching man." I agree with that in part. Man can do nothing to ignite a relationship with God by performing acts, service, rituals, etc., in order to secure salvation. Man is lost and blind. He cannot give himslef spiritual vision.
God draws man to Himself through Jesus. He is the Author of our faith and so we are drawn to Christ inwardly and outwardly by hearing and reading His Word --- then our eyes are then opened. He shows us Who He is, who we are, what sin is and that all ha e sinned and fall short of perfection (which is required to receive life. We all know, no one is perfect- accept Jesus was. He fulfilled the requirements of the LAW for us and paid the price (death), for our sins.
We learn about Christ as our heart/ eyes are opened and we become persuaded and begin to believe. We understand that there is nothing we can do to remove our sins, that only He can and so we surrender our will and ask for forgiveness.
Though some teachers seek to remove the word "religion from Christianity, it is not realistic. We can only realize that the idea of eternal salvation is NOT gained through works of our own.
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Eph. 2:8-10
That said, once we become believers of Christ, we begin to practice what He tells us to do and what not to do. He prepares works for us to do but it is not what secures our salvation. We cooperate with His plan and yes we can do things to please God. Be obedient by loving God and others.
Webster defines religion as:
[1. a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
2 a. the service and worship of God or the supernatural;
b. commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
3. a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith]
I think we do all that.
