Graham Fish, of Kingsbridge Family Church, writes:

Believing in Jesus doesn’t make me religious.

In some parts of the world religion makes people angry – even violent. In this country they are either half-hearted or bored with the subject.

Occasionally the media reports something like the MP ridiculed for turning up to Parliament with a cross on her forehead to mark the start of Lent. That’s about the limit of interest here.

At this point you can insert your own negative cliché about religion and church, and to be honest I’d probably agree with you.

So what did Jesus come to establish? Why did he spend three years with a group of followers teaching by word and example everything we all need to live this amazing life? Why did He take on the powerful religious leaders of the day and the most powerful political ­system in the world and reveal that neither worked?

The ­reason was to establish a better way of life he called the “Kingdom of God”.

The Kingdom of God is about love. Not “what can I get out of this for myself?” love, but love that looks for the best and wants the best for other people. The Kingdom of God values and cares for children; treats women and men equally; ­reaches out to those who feel on the edge of society; looks after widows and those who are hurt, poor and oppressed.

As Jesus put it: ‘In the Kingdom of God, the first shall be last and the last first.’

Our world says pushy people will get on: “Look after number one, grow a thick skin and ­complain, because that’s how to get your own way.”

The Kingdom of God is not like that. It is called the upside down kingdom, or the right way round kingdom, because putting others first matters: “Is that the last parking space? You have it”; “Is that all you want to buy? Then you go first”; “I’m sorry, did I push in? You go ahead.”

Is it easy living this way? Categorically no. I for one need the continued help that the spirit of Christ provides and the friendship and support of my church family.

Also, and this is the best part, as a subject of this kingdom I’m best friends with the king. So being a Christian doesn’t make me religious, it makes me truly happy.

As we approach Easter, why not find a welcoming church and join it.