[Lyric] Why Jesus Is Greater Than Religion (Rich Tidwell)

What if I told you, the bible is not a book of fairytale stories and moral analogies?
It is the miraculously preserved record of God’s involvement in man’s reality.
Through it God shares with us His deep love for humanity,
Regardless of our mistakes, sins, and insanity.

You see, it’s not just a book of do’s and don’ts for you and I
Or a lesson in ethics so I can be a good person before I die
It is the message from God, that this world has sold me a lie
But Jesus came to share the truth, show the way, and give eternal life.

Yes the bible reveals the sin nature within every man;
Yet it’s purpose is not to say that you’re worthless, but a treasure, designed by God’s very hand.
When God says that He loves you, He means right where you stand.
It’s His immeasurable love for you that orchestrated this master plan.

From the very beginning, loving you has been His speciality
He chose your eye color, body type, and personality
He made you unique and gave you a nationality
Though you may feel unimportant, you’re His masterpiece in actuality.

Fast Forward to Jesus hanging by 3 nails on a tree
Gasping for air as He was barely able to breathe
He cried out “Father, Forgive them”; He was praying for you and for me
This Jesus pleading with God to make us blind men, see
I mean this was God’s only Son separated from His Fathers presence
Forsaken and disconnected so that I could be spared my sentence?
And adopted into sonship through the simple act of repentance
Because of Jesus, not by merit, I've received this acceptance.

Did I mention this good news is not for me only but for all of God’s creation?
That through His love, He sent His Son to bring you into salvation
He accepted every beating while knowing many would reject this reconciliation
But to Jesus you were worth every moment of His torture to secure your emancipation.

Oh and 3 days after Jesus had died, by the power of God He was brought back to life
As He walked out from the tomb Mary looked at Him with her own eyes
And ran back to the disciples to share “Jesus is Alive!”;
Notice God entrusted a woman to be the first person to tell the guys?

Well they laughed and thought ‘this woman has lost her mind’
Even the disciples still had doubts after all this time
but shortly after, Jesus appeared to them and said this line
“Behold I am with you always, to the end of the age” as He ascended on High.

He said these words to remind us He didn't just leave us all alone,
To sit somewhere far away from us on His heavenly throne
No, to be in touch with my God you don’t need some spiritual telephone
You simply have faith in Jesus name and he’ll make your body His home.

You see God’s love has nothing to do with my good behavior
and everything to do with His unconditional loving nature
The bible says we’re like lost sheep hunted by wolves in a pasture
And that Jesus is the lamb ripped apart in order to save me from disaster
And like all good shepherds, God gave His life for His sheep
He came humble and meek, fresh meat for them to sink in their teeth
I’m made weak. I cannot hide what is happening to my heart underneath
Jesus is bringing to life the dead man inside of me and all I have to do is breathe

And from this breath God breathes life into you by the words that I speak
But don’t be confused, my words have no power and my talk is cheap
If this was all dependent on my ability I would put you to sleep
It’s the one named Jesus, whose talent far exceeds any Earthly MC

Who’s kingdom is not one of word but of power
Who is ready and willing to set you free from bondage at this very hour
Don’t wait another second, the fruit this world offers you will always turn sour
It will never fill that emptiness you feel when you question life alone in the shower

I’m here to warn you this world will leave you destitute and naked
It’s had you deceived by a 2D image on a screen, since temptation first said “Hey Kid”
Now you’re stuck in a vicious cycle of recreational sex and getting wasted
Like “Wait, I thought I would be happy saying YOLO and doing everything Drake did?”

Or maybe you fell for religion and believe grace is based on good behavior
Thinking “If I go to church, memorize every verse, I’ll be good enough for my savior”
Forgetting grace is a gift and there are things more important to your maker
Like loving the sick, poor, and forgotten; the widow, fatherless, and the stranger.

See if I have not love, it’s just self-righteous moralism
And if I’m living this way I’m in direct opposition
To the God who gave His Son for all, who made loving you His primary mission
This is why I believe in Jesus; because Jesus, is greater than religion.