What does the Bible say about following Christ versus religion?

Scripture highlights the distinction between genuinely following Christ and merely practicing religious rituals. Jesus himself questioned the legitimacy of calling Him 'Lord' when one does not obey His commandments (Luke 6:46). This indicates that true discipleship is marked by obedience to Christ rather than the maintenance of institutional traditions. Discipleship requires an active, living faith that responds to Christ's calling, as exemplified in John 15:16 where He declares, 'Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.' The early church exemplified this through community and mutual support rather than mere ritualistic worship.