Most Christians treat prayer, worship, and Bible reading as ways to earn closeness to God. That's legalism. Instead, you're already accepted as God's child, so these practices flow naturally from that relationship, not toward it.
we so often view prayer as a bridge to connect to God, worship as a way to connect with God, Bible reading as a way to connect with God, holy living as a way to connect with God. We have it backwards, my friend. I'll tell it to you straight, that's religion. That's legalism. Yes, you should pray. Yes, you should read the word. Yes, you should live holy. Yes, you should worship. Yes to all of those wonderful things. But my friend, worship does not bring you closer to God. Prayer does not bring you closer to God. How can you get any closer than one with God? You don't pray to connect with God. You pray from connection with God. You don't worship to connect with God. You worship because you're connected with God. You don't live holy to be accepted by God. You've been accepted by God, and that's the power to live holy. Amen. It begins in sonship.
