SalvationSample

Religion or the Gospel?



He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.





The Bible is clear and emphatic: God saves us. We don’t save ourselves; we don’t earn our salvation. God saves us by His mercy, not because of our good works. Yet, though the Bible is clear and emphatic, the human tendency is to not believe the Gospel of grace and revert to the religion of works.





What’s the difference between religion and the Gospel?



· Religion is all about doing. The Gospel is all about receiving.



· Religion is my work for God. The Gospel is God’s work for me.



· Religion is the performance plan. The Gospel is the grace plan.



· With religion, I obey to be accepted. With the Gospel, I obey because I’m accepted.



· Religion focuses on rule-keeping. The Gospel focuses on the cross of Christ.



· With religion, I serve God out of fear and insecurity. With the Gospel, I serve God out of grateful love.



· With religion, my identity is based on how I measure up. With the Gospel, my identity is based on Christ’s love and grace.



· With religion, I feel pride when I measure up and guilt when I fail. With the Gospel, I feel neither pride, because God did it all, nor guilt, because I’m completely forgiven.



· With religion, I see God as harsh. With the Gospel, I see God as gracious.





What do you have: religion or the Gospel?