Religion Transformed (What If, Part 3)
Religion was humanity’s first attempt to fix a problem that didn’t exist. We believed we were separated, so we built systems to climb our way back to God—sacrifices, performances, and endless striving to earn what was already ours.
But what if the truth has always been union?
What if humanity believed that Christ is already in us—and that the gospel is not about getting to God, but living from God?
What if Religion lost it’s ladders?
Paul wrote,
“For in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).
He said this not to a church, but to pagan philosophers in Athens. Even to those unaware of the gospel, Paul declared that life was already held in Christ. The issue was not proximity—it was perception.
Religion tells us to work our way toward God. The gospel reveals that God has worked His way into us.
Baxter Kruger often says, “The greatest lie of all is separation.”
The moment we believe we are distant, we begin to live as orphans—trying to get home instead of realizing we already are. Christ’s incarnation and resurrection weren’t a divine rescue mission to bring God near; they were the unveiling that He has never been absent.
Kruger writes that we have been “included in the relationship that Jesus has with His Father and Spirit.” We are not invited into union as guests; we were birthed into it by design.
If humanity believed this, religion as performance would dissolve. Worship would no longer be about appeasement but participation. Prayer would not be begging for presence but breathing awareness.
Scripture’s Witness
Ephesians 2:6 (NASB): “[God] raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”
John 17:21 (NASB): “That they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us.”
Colossians 1:17 (Mirror): “He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.”
The gospel doesn’t invite us to strive for inclusion—it unveils that we already belong.
When we think God needs to be persuaded to love us, religion feels necessary. But when we see that love Himself is our origin, the striving stops.
Religion thrives on guilt, but revelation births rest.
Religion says, Do this so God will come.
Revelation says, He is already here—now live from that.
When Jesus said, “It is finished,” He wasn’t closing a chapter—He was closing the entire book of separation.
If humanity believed this, religion would be transformed into relationship.
Worship would shift from fear to fascination.
Scripture would be read not as rules to obey but as revelation of who we already are.
Repentance would no longer mean groveling for acceptance but changing our minds to align with truth.
And prayer would become communion—the effortless conversation of love that has never been interrupted.
The kingdom of God is not an external system to build; it’s the internal reality of Christ in us coming alive.
Reflection Prompt
Take a few minutes today to pause.
Ask yourself: Where am I still trying to earn what’s already mine?
Then write your own declaration:
Because Christ lives in me, I no longer climb—I rest.
Let the ladders fall.
What if the gospel was never about getting closer to God, but realizing you’ve never been apart?
