Religion or Relationship?

Rublev's Painting of the Trinity

I have written before about Rublev's famous painting of the Trinity.  In this painting, The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit are portrayed as angels (Divine Beings) seated at a table.  The Father (left) gestures toward the Son; the Son (center) gestures toward the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit invites the viewer to join the Divine Beings at the table.  In the background, the tree represents the Cross, and the Father's House has an upper story window to watch for the return of the Prodigal Son.  

All of the Old Testament Covenants are invitations to join the Family of God, to "come to the banquet," the Table of the Lord, to sit and eat as Family, not as servants.  In the New Testament, the Final Covenant, the invitation is given to all, and Christ Himself invites us to join Him in His place as Son:  "I do not say I will ask the Father for you, for the Father Himself loves you (Jn. 16: 26-27 ....and we will come and make our home in (you)" (Jn. 14:23).

It's not about Religion; it's about relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  If we do not enter into the relationship with the One who loves us, religion is useless, for it serves as a signpost -- this is the Way to the Holy Trinity, to the Family of God.  If we read the signs but do not journey on the Way, we are lost.  If we want to know the Way, it has been given to us.  If we ask, if we seek, if we knock on the door, it will be opened without fail:  

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone will open to Me, I will come in and sup with him, and him with Me.(Rev. 3:20)  That is, Jesus will sit at our table (we are the host and He the guest), and we will sit at His table (He, the host, and we the guest.)  What more can we ask that that, that we should be the guest of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and that They should remove their garments, wash our feet, and serve us at table?

Behold what love the Father has for us, that we should be called the children of God...and that is what we are! (1 John).