Gospel vs. Religion

In a city like Phoenix, it's obvious that there are lots of good religious people in the valley! Take for example the Mormons in this city. If you know one, you know they are some of the nicest people you will ever meet. I have actually worked with several and truly can testify, that though I disagree with them theologically, I have always been impressed with their ethics.

They are known for their hardworking values and their strong commitment to those strange doctrines (which I will save for later). You can't go a week in this city without seeing those young men in their white shirts peddling their Huffy mountain bikes just to knock on one more door to get one step closer to secure their salvation!

Although I find their doctrines antithetical to the gospel entirely, I am not writing right now to compare and contrast Mormonism to main stream evangelical theology. Rather I am writing to remind and inform those interested in our church how the gospel differs greatly from religion and good works.

As we look at scripture we see that good people are not good enough! Being good, simply doesn't cut it. Salvation is by grace not by works, (so this messes things up for the Mormons) (Eph 2:8-10). The Bible teaches that you can have great intentions and lots of good works but miss the gospel and get the one way ticket for a hell bound train! Ouch!

Jesus ripped and railed on the religious people of his day! The Pharisee's were the guys who did all the good works but rejected Jesus as the messiah and missed his gospel message!(Matthew 23)

Our church is not interested in creating good people, rather gospel-centered people. A people who readily confess their weakness and accept the fact that they are totally depraved by sin, being born into sin and standing in total need of redemption (Psalms 51:4-5, I Peter 3:18)

Religion actually makes my job harder. In essence religion says, If I do good, I get God! The gospel says, I am bad and yet (b/c of Jesus) I still get God!(Romans 5:1 Romans 5:8)

Here are a few ways to differentiate the gospel from religion.

Concerning Salvation.
•The Religious say, “Because I am a good person I am saved and will go to heaven right?”
•Gospel centered people say,“ I could never be good enough, but b/c Jesus’ payment for my sin, I am saved by grace and will go to heaven!”

Concerning Spirituality
•The Religious say, “B/c I pray and go to church and read the Bible or do good, I am accepted and will grow! I help myself and make myself into a better person.”
•Gospel-centered people say, “I’m accepted by God b/c of Jesus death! I’m a sinner saved by grace and b/c I am so grateful I obey. I pursue holy living, my spirituality is evidence of God's grace working in me! It's not about me.

Concerning Security
•The Religious say. “When I screw up I feel God is angry with me and I am afraid he hates me.” I live in fear!
•Gospel centered people say. “When I screw up I realize I grieve God but know His love for me is unconditional b/c of Jesus payment of sin! I stand in awe and amazement that I have acceptance and security in God’s love for me. I live in freedom not fear!”

Concerning Suffering:
•The Religious say, “I am angry at God, b/c life isn’t working and not fair! I obeyed and why am I still suffering? I deserve more!”
•Gospel centered people “ I am in pain and this world is broken but I trust your promises God. You God work all things for my good even when it's hard.”

Even believers need to rehearse the gospel. We Christians must avoid falling into a dead legalistic, religious exercise that renders us impotent, hollow and numb! We need to sit and savor in the sweetness of the gospel. rehearsing the crazy love of God by saying "I am loved by God not matter what I do." Why? Because Jesus was the substitute and was sufficient payment for my sins and satisfied the righteous demands of God, therefore you should live in freedom. The Father loves you!(I Peter 2:24 ,I John 2:2 Romans 3:23-25)

Our prayer is at imago dei is that sinners would see the savior and start living a life of freedom not of fear, a life that would reflect a picture of the gospel.

Resources: Books: A Gospel Primer Article by Tim Keller and Acts29