“I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense,
reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use.” — Galileo Galilei
Image generated with the assistance of Microsoft Copilot
In a world brimming with religious organizations, each claiming to know the exclusive way to God despite their ever changing beliefs and failed prophecies. It’s easy to forget a simple truth that Jesus shared: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). This statement challenges the idea that any institution can monopolize access to God. Jesus’ invitation is personal and direct, calling each of us to reflect on what he actually taught, rather than blindly following an organization’s rules.
If you’re part of a religious community, it can be helpful to step back from routines and doctrines to spend time alone with the Gospels. Ask yourself, “What does God and Jesus require of me?” Instead of assuming truth is dictated by a group, this question brings us closer to Jesus’ teachings in their purest form. It encourages us to assess if our lives align more with Christ’s message than with any institutional practices.
Religious organizations can offer community and support, but sometimes they place themselves in a role that only Jesus was meant to fill. Statements like "There is no salvation outside the church" can shift our trust from Christ to an institution. Jesus never taught that salvation came through human organizations. His call was to follow him, to love God with all our heart, and to love our neighbours as ourselves. When organizations claim exclusive access to salvation, they risk creating barriers to the relationship Jesus offers freely.
Some groups also teach that we shouldn’t question “divinely guided” leaders. Yet, Jesus himself questioned religious authorities when they neglected justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23). He encourages us to seek truth, to carefully examine teachings. By spending time with his words directly, we gain the clarity to discern what’s right, even if that means questioning those in authority.
In the Gospels, Jesus connects with people uniquely, responding with empathy and guiding each person toward truth. This shows that he meets us wherever we are, whether we’re confident or uncertain. We don’t need permission from an organization to seek him directly or to ask what he really requires of us.
Taking time away from religious groups can help us reassess our spiritual priorities. Jesus’ teachings emphasize compassion, humility, and forgiveness over strict adherence to rules. Warnings about “bad associations” can sometimes make us overly judgmental, cutting off opportunities to love our neighbours as Jesus commanded. Instead, Jesus welcomed people from all walks of life, showing what it means to love unconditionally. Reading about his actions, we can refocus on what God truly asks of us: compassion, not exclusion.
Jesus’ message offers freedom from unnecessary burdens. When organizations suggest that blessings depend on complete dedication, it can imply that God’s love is conditional. Yet Jesus teaches that God’s love is a gift, not something we earn. He calls us to love God sincerely and to follow him with open hearts, offering peace and joy instead of a rigid list of achievements.
Some teachings can make us overly dependent on an organization, discouraging us from trusting our own conscience. But Jesus calls us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). By immersing ourselves in his words, we gain a clearer understanding of his will, one that goes beyond any organization’s guidance.
Taking a break from religious routines to focus on Jesus’ teachings can be freeing. It allows us to examine our spiritual lives honestly and to let go of fears instilled by human organizations. Reading the Gospels with fresh eyes, we hear Jesus’ words anew.
When we ask, “What does God and Jesus require of me?” we may be surprised by the simple, compassionate answer. Jesus calls us to follow him, to seek truth, and to love others—not out of obligation, but as a response to his grace. Organizations can support us, but they should never replace the personal relationship that Christ invites us to have. In seeking Jesus alone, we find the way, the truth, and the life that brings us to God.