The religion Christianity no longer represents a relationship with Christ but a culture. Depending on what you’re into that culture is subject to change. Many Christians attend church with no bibles, prayer and fasting is not a common practice and evil spirits or the devil himself is not even real. In fact, some Christians call other Christians their enemy. Many denominations don’t even believe in Christ as the Messiah and yet some do. This causes the Christian religion to be quite confusing and quiet a contradiction. In fact, the religion Christianity is not a meal ticket to heaven or for salvation. Jesus himself said in Matthew 7 21:23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.”This is an illustration of the Christian religion and the relationship with Jesus. Those that don’t know Him no matter how many works they did in His name will have to depart from Him. Religion is at work again in Matthew 21:12. Jesus entered the temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. Clearly there was no intimacy in this. Just a way for people to make money.
The thief who was crucified on the cross with Jesus not only tried to get Jesus freed because he knew He did nothing wrong but also admitted his own sin. He also believed that Jesus is the son of God. This is what Christians call the sinners prayer. There is no religion at work here. He confessed with his mouth his sins and believed Jesus was the son of God. This is what it takes to be with the Lord. Which Jesus made clear when He told the thief you will be with me in paradise.
The origin of Christianity is quite debatable. Who Jesus said he is, is not. He said in John 14:6 He is the son of God and that no one gets to the father but through Him. Jesus was not a Christian. However, most of those who follow Christ and have the Holy spirit dwelling within agree with this term because there is no other term as widely understood that can be used to somewhat explain what they believe. Of course given the time one can go into great detail but the time is not always there to explain your belief. How can you use a name to describe followers of Christ when all those called by that name don’t believe in the same basic concepts? Perhaps this is why the bible refers to believers as those called according to His purpose or the body of Christ, or disciples.
The word of God was made flesh, it is for this reason that even though the bible has been altered drastically to fit the various sectors of Christianity, those who receive Christ in their hearts and the Holy Spirit are able to operate in power and discern different spirits. The word says in Hebrews 4:12 for the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. God knows the intent of man. Jesus knew the intent of the thief on the cross. He also knew the intent of those casting out demons and performing miracles in the church in Mathew 7 21:23
The term Christianity is a poor explanation of the lovers of Christ and the followers of His word. Christianity itself has become a conundrum in this age. But the Lord God doesn’t change and therefore neither does his word. So what kind of Christian we are is irrelevant or if we align ourselves with term at all is also irrelevant . Confession and true intent within our hearts that Jesus is the son of God and that no one gets to the father but through him is what truly matters. Religion is not the way to Christ not even religious Christianity.