Religion vs. Grace
Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Most of us understand that, and if we call ourselves Christians, we received Jesus’ free gift of salvation by faith.
Why is it though that after we receive salvation by grace, we then turn Christianity into religion?
Religion focuses on self. We try to impress God. We try to earn His favor. Religion leads me to believe that I must do certain things to be a good Christian and be counted worthy.
The Christian life is not religious. We don’t just receive salvation by grace; we live by God’s grace.
Are you living the Christian life by religious activity or are you living by grace?
Here are a few ways that you can spot religion in your life.
RELIGION SAYS TO KEEP AN ACCOUNT OF YOUR SINS
If you live the Christian life by primarily focusing on your sins, then you are living by religion.
If you believe that God wants you to keep an account of all your sins so that you can confess them to Him, you are living by religion.
If you believe that God is angry with you when you sin or that your status with Him changes, then you are living by religion.
GRACE SAYS YOUR SINS ARE COMPLETELY FORGIVEN
When Jesus died on the cross, it was a once for all sacrifice for all sins of all time (Hebrews 10:12). The moment you put your faith in Jesus for salvation, all your past, present, and future sins were forgiven.
Instead of keeping an account of your sins, Jesus wants you to keep your eyes on Him (Hebrews 12:2, Colossians 3:1-2).
When you sin, thank Jesus for the forgiveness you have, fix your eyes on Him, and walk by His grace as He expresses His life through you.
RELIGION SAYS TO FOCUS ON KEEPING THE LAW
If you are focusing on the 10 commandments and trying to follow all the rules, then you are living by religion.
Religion says that you must know the rules and do your best to keep God’s law to honor Him. You might hear that you need God’s help through the Holy Spirit to do that, but the emphasis is still on keeping the law.
GRACE SAYS YOU’VE BEEN SET FREE FROM THE LAW
Jesus didn’t die on the cross so that you would have help to keep His laws. He fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17) and through His death and resurrection, He set you free from the bondage of the law.
You died to the law so that you might belong to Christ and bear fruit (Romans 7:4).
Instead of trying to follow rules, allow Jesus to produce fruit through you as you abide in Him (John 15:5)
RELIGION SAYS YOU NEED TO GET BETTER
Religion says that you are not a good person and need to become more like Jesus.
Do you find yourself trying to get better? Do you feel like you need to follow certain steps and do certain things to get where you need to be?
If so, then you are living by religion.
GRACE SAYS YOU’VE BEEN MADE BETTER
The moment you put your faith in Jesus for salvation, you became a new creation in Christ (1 Corinthians 5:17), were given a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26), and you now have a new nature (Romans 6:6-7).
In other words, you were made into a better person by Christ. He gave you new desires.
You are already like Jesus at the core of your being through your spiritual union with Him, and you want to do what He desires.
Instead of trying to get better, learn to live out of the new, better you that you’ve already been made into.
RELIGION SAYS GOD MIGHT SPIT YOU OUT OF HIS MOUTH IF YOU AREN’T COMMITTED ENOUGH
Do you find yourself living in fear? Are you afraid that God is mad at you? Have you been in a habit of recommitting your life to Him?
If so, then you are living by religion.
Religion leaves us scared that if we aren’t hot but are lukewarm, that God will spit us out of His mouth, and we’ll no longer be in His family.
GRACE SAYS IT’S NOT ABOUT YOUR COMMITMENT TO GOD BUT RATHER HIS COMMITMENT TO YOU
The whole reason that Jesus went to the cross was because we couldn’t be committed to Him. We had a sin nature that left us falling short of any commitments we made to Him.
Jesus’ finished work on the cross and the sending of the Spirit into your life, was about His commitment to you. Once you receive Him by faith, you are spiritually seated in heaven (Colossians 3:1), and He will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).
You don’t have to live in fear. Jesus died so that you could be set free from fear and enjoy life with Him in God’s family.
RELIGION VS. GRACE
Religion keeps you focused on your sins, keeping the law, trying to get better, and recommitting yourself to God.
Religion keeps the focus on yourself. Living by religion results in fear and a diminishing of yourself, or it leaves you exalting yourself. It’s a “me-centered” Christianity.
Grace frees you from sin and the bondage to the law. Grace makes you into a new creation, and you’re secure in God’s hands because of His commitment to you.
Don’t get caught up in religion. Watch out for churches, pastors, and teachers who focus on religion.
You received salvation by grace, so continue to live by grace (Colossians 2:6-7). Continue to receive from Jesus. May you grow in His grace.
Andrew Farley's experience as a Christian was first characterized by self-effort as he tried to please God at any cost. His ruthless religion resulted in spiritual burnout and disillusionment with church. Only then did he discover what relaxing in Jesus means and how enjoying God's intimate presence can transform everyday life. Using a unique story-driven format, God without Religion dismantles common religious misconceptions, revealing the true meaning of being filled with the Spirit, the facts about judgment, rewards, and God's discipline, the simple truth behind predestination and the divisions it causes the problem with the popular challenge to "live radical." Pulling no punches, Farley shows how the truth about these controversial issues can liberate and unify believers as we discover how to rest in the unconditional love of God.
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