This question asks what is religion and what is relationship and which one is better... Well first off God desires to have a relationship with him. God wants us to have a deep intimate relationship with him. Too many Christians get all wrapped up in religion and miss the whole point of Christianity. All they see is self-righteous people who try to be perfect. When we boil down Christianity to a checklist of things not to do and to do we destroy what God designed for love and relationship... not religion! When we make Christianity a checklist of things not to do and to do we posses nothing more than any other religion! We must focus the relationship with Christ which in time will sanctify us and make us like him (holy)!!! Now don't get me wrong, this does not mean that we don't follow Christ and strive to be more like him, it's just we don't say try harder try harder do be perfect, because it is a waste of time... frankly it is impossible to be perfect! We must focus on the relationship with Christ who will sanctify us and make us holy. We can't be perfect, but Christ already is... rely on him stop beating yourself up when you mess up, confess and repent and put it behind you. Christ is faithful and just to forgive you, forget about religion Christ came to abolish that. He wants a relationship!!

Grace and Peace be Yours in Abundance!!