The grace-based relationship between God and man is the foundation of Christianity and the antithesis of religion. Established religion was one of the staunchest opponents of Jesus during His earthly ministry.
When God gave His Law to the Israelites to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” He indicated that “Love” is about relationship. Obedience to all the other commands had to stem from a love for God.
However, the Jews converted God’s Law into a works-based religion that alienated people from Him (Matthew 23:13–15; Luke 11:42). And we transgress as they did when we choose religion over relationship.
Holiness and obedience to Scripture are important, but they are evidences of a transformed heart, not a means to attain it. God desires that we be holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:16). He wants us to grow in grace and knowledge of Him (2 Peter 3:18). But we do these things because we are His children and want to be like Him, not in order to earn His love.
Galatians 2:20 "My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
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