There is a certain security in being 'religious' as opposed to having a living, or active, faith.
Religious activity makes us feel good. It makes us feel we are 'working out our salvation', that we are doing 'penance' for our sin. That we are making ourselves worthy.
Faith makes us more wobbly. Faith is reliant on trusting what we cannot see, trusting in what we hope for. To the mind, to the flesh, there are no guarantees attached to faith.
The problem is that religion actually defeats the purpose of faith.
No group of people in the Bible were more religious than the Jews, and yet the story didnt end with them.
Religious activity just wasnt enough to satisfy God!!
The walk of faith is the complete opposite of a religious walk.
One reason for this is the need for a relationship with Jesus, not just following rules in a book, but knowing and following Jesus.
This calls for revelation. It means meeting Jesus as a reality and building a relationship with Him. It means learning and not just doing. It means making mistakes. It means realising that, if we seek to serve His will in our lives, we are NOT in control of our lives and destiny.
It also means being self-disciplined. Choosing what is right to do rather than what we want to do. Sacrificing our human instincts and impulses in favour of what is right and good for us.
Poor self image and lack of self-esteem are one reason why people prefer religion. Religious activity feeds our ego - we can value ourselves according to activity, according to what we achieve. In the walk of faith, Jesus says 'I value you for who you are not for what you do'. Many of us cannot cope with that. We cannot see why anyone would value us just for being us. Especially when we dont even like ourselves very much.
Religious activity is also safe. If we can follow a set formula for worshipping God (for instance) then we do not have to use our minds let alone our hearts. Following an order of service by rote does NOT
involve opening our hearts to hearing from God, and therefore to vulnerability.
Sometimes God chides us. Whilst always with loving intent, that chiding, that guiding and resetting our feet on the correct path, can be difficult to cope with.
Others prefer religious activity in order to be in control. Their whole lives are controlled and usually very ordered.
A walk of faith might involve going up to a stranger and telling them that Jesus has revealed they are sick but He wants them to be well, can you pray for them?
The walk of faith might be falling prostrate in church in awesome worship of God, or in a time of refreshing, laughing openly and heartily as God touches your spirit.
So where does this leave us?
I don't think God minds overly what sort of church we go to, whether we are traditionalists, reformists or charismatics.
What is important to god is that we have a relationship with Him and that whatever we do is of faith and not mere ritual or habit.
Will you consider your religion today? Is it of faith or is it of habit?
Be blessed. 
