What is Christianity

Is not Christianity simply another religion?

Christianity is not about religion or being religious.

Christianity is a journey to intimate fellowship with God.

Many people have knowledge about religion, Christianity, and the Bible, but as the writer to the Hebrews warns, intellectual knowledge is not the same as vital faith. Knowing about God is not the same as having a personal relationship with Him.

This is clear from everyday relationships. Reading books on marriage is not the same as spending time with one’s spouse. Knowing someone’s phone number is a far cry from enjoying friendship with that person. Knowing who one’s customers are is not the same as dealing with a specific customer.

In the same way, knowing God involves far more than knowing about Him. Information alone does not produce tangible faith. To be sure, right thinking is involved in faith, but faith is more than mere knowledge. For example, the recipients of Hebrews knew quite a bit about the faith, such as the basic teachings about Christ, the need for repentance and for faith in God (Heb. 6:1), and the meaning of baptism, ordination, resurrection, and judgment (Heb. 6:2).

Nevertheless, without the constant work of cultivation [watering, weeding, fertilizing, pruning], spiritual weeds soon sprout and in time take over, producing thorns rather than good fruit or grain (Heb. 6:7–8). In that case, the crop [faith] is worthless and destined for burning. To avoid that outcome, diligent tending and development are required (Heb. 6:11–12). Perseverance is crucial: we must never coast on past experience or former tidbits of knowledge.