"I have my own religion!," the man said indignantly. Hardly a day passes in door knocking endeavors without such an encounter occurring. Normally the statement is made is such a way as to dismiss any idea of further pursuit of the matter of how one really becomes a Christian. And as a rule, the sincerity of the statement cannot be called into question.
But herein lies the real problem. The fervency and sincerity of the respondent does not negate the falsity of the underlying philosophy. In fact, I'm always reminded of the old cliche', "Do you have a solution? Or are you a part of the problem!" Religion, the solution proposed by such a philosophy, is often the real problem.
The Pharisees, who constantly criticized and questioned the message and methodology of Jesus as He sought to share His message of repentance and faith with sinners, were perhaps the most religious people of all history. Paul, who was one of them, gave testimony to their deep sincerity and overwhelming religious zeal. But he said none of this was of God. He correctly saw their religious rituals and liturgical litanies as merely thinly disguised attempts to establish their own righteousness.
The purpose of all their religious mumbo jumbo, do good philosophy and self-justification, Paul said, was to enable them to personally avoid submitting themselves to the righteousness of God, as expressed in the person and purpose of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the Cross. As long as they religiously maintained such a false facade, they would not have to swallow their false pride and humble themselves in simple childlike repentance and faith, trusting the Lord Jesus Christ, and Him alone, for salvation and eternal life. (See Ro. 10:1-3)
Things have not changed a great deal in this area as time has passed. The same philosophy, still seems to be prevalent today. Such false teaching permeates the altars and is proclaimed from the pulpits of some of the most ornate cathedrals of our time. We hear the same sentiments espoused by the most modern of so-called theologians. We see such religion walking up and down our streets every weekend. I shudder to think of the greater condemnation modern-day Pharisees, who have led people to trust religious rituals and their own imagined good works, will face at the Judgement.
The sad fact of the matter, for those who "have their own religion", is that religion will not save. Religion is what we imagine we do for God. True Christianity is what God has done for us, Religion is man looking for and seeking God. True Christianity is God seeking and finding man. Religion says do. True Christianity says that Christ has done it all on the Cross long ago. It is finished.
Religion says look at me. My good works. My form of godliness. My beautiful rituals. My piety. My holiness. My sacrifices. True Christianity says look to the lifted-up Christ of Calvary and the judgment scorched earth all around. What man needs is personal salvation rather than religion. But just how can you personally receive this salvation? -
But herein lies the real problem. The fervency and sincerity of the respondent does not negate the falsity of the underlying philosophy. In fact, I'm always reminded of the old cliche', "Do you have a solution? Or are you a part of the problem!" Religion, the solution proposed by such a philosophy, is often the real problem.
The Pharisees, who constantly criticized and questioned the message and methodology of Jesus as He sought to share His message of repentance and faith with sinners, were perhaps the most religious people of all history. Paul, who was one of them, gave testimony to their deep sincerity and overwhelming religious zeal. But he said none of this was of God. He correctly saw their religious rituals and liturgical litanies as merely thinly disguised attempts to establish their own righteousness.
The purpose of all their religious mumbo jumbo, do good philosophy and self-justification, Paul said, was to enable them to personally avoid submitting themselves to the righteousness of God, as expressed in the person and purpose of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the Cross. As long as they religiously maintained such a false facade, they would not have to swallow their false pride and humble themselves in simple childlike repentance and faith, trusting the Lord Jesus Christ, and Him alone, for salvation and eternal life. (See Ro. 10:1-3)
Things have not changed a great deal in this area as time has passed. The same philosophy, still seems to be prevalent today. Such false teaching permeates the altars and is proclaimed from the pulpits of some of the most ornate cathedrals of our time. We hear the same sentiments espoused by the most modern of so-called theologians. We see such religion walking up and down our streets every weekend. I shudder to think of the greater condemnation modern-day Pharisees, who have led people to trust religious rituals and their own imagined good works, will face at the Judgement.
The sad fact of the matter, for those who "have their own religion", is that religion will not save. Religion is what we imagine we do for God. True Christianity is what God has done for us, Religion is man looking for and seeking God. True Christianity is God seeking and finding man. Religion says do. True Christianity says that Christ has done it all on the Cross long ago. It is finished.
Religion says look at me. My good works. My form of godliness. My beautiful rituals. My piety. My holiness. My sacrifices. True Christianity says look to the lifted-up Christ of Calvary and the judgment scorched earth all around. What man needs is personal salvation rather than religion. But just how can you personally receive this salvation? -
1. Understand that you are personal sinner Jesus died for. (Romans 3:23)
2. Accept that your sin will separate you from God forever. (Romans 6:23)
3. Know that Christ died for you personally on the cross. (Romans 5:8)
4. Repent (be sorry for, confess, turn from) your sin. (Luke 13:3)
5. Believe (rely upon, trust absolutely) the Lord Jesus Christ. (Ro. 10:9-10)
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