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Religion or Salvation?
Hello everyone! I had an interesting thought today, religion and salvation… what’s the difference? I hear people say he or she has religion, but what does that really mean? What do these people actually have?
RELIGION
Let us venture into this a little. First we must find out what religion is. Religion is signified as worship, the ceremonial service of religion. Hmm that is kind of interesting. So to have religion would to be worshipping? I remember going to church before I found Jesus and worshipping. So did I have religion? According to God’s word the Pharisees would have been considered to have religion, wouldn’t they? Let’s think about this.
The Pharisees strived to obey the law which many then probably would have said, “they have religion”. But, is religion the answer? The Pharisees strived to live by the law but while striving to be able to view themselves as righteous what did they miss? They turned away the true Savior, Jesus Christ. Here are some of the woes as listed in God’s word. Let’s compare these scriptures to today’s world - marked [the world].
(Matthew 23:13, 14,23,28,33)
13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
[the world] How many today decide for themselves who may come into the church building due to that individual’s faults or outwardly appearance? Woe to them today as Jesus said then. Who are we to make that decision? Do not shut up the kingdom of heaven against men.
14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
[the world] There are many now who may proclaim their religion through pretence of long prayer. I have an earlier blog on prayer and what prayer is intended for. Click here to read it and learn more on prayer. For those who may not know pretence signifies the assuming of something so as to disguise one’s real motives. Always remember and WOE unto you that do this. You might disguise yourselves to others but there is one who will always know the truth, and that one is God.
23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
[the world] Many feel that giving to the church will give them a spot in Heaven. But, this is not true. Heaven can NOT be bought. Don’t let others deceive you with the gift of giving. It is a good deed but is NOT what is needed to enter in. Woe to you who strive on this feeling of acceptance through worldly gifts.
28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
[the world] There are still Pharisees all around us today. If there wasn’t, we would not be here. I am warning you all to be careful who you follow. You should always confirm anything someone tells you by God’s Word.
I Agree
Loved this. Religion can take you straight to Hell. That sounds rough but it is backed by the Bible as you have pointed out. There are many religions out there. If it does not come through Jesus Christ then they are then it has nothing to do with Salvation. I thank my savior for saving me and giving me the assurance of my salvation.
One more note
Just because you go to church does not mean you have salvation. Just as if I visit a Mechanics shop it does not make me a mechanic. I do believe we should attend and be a member of a church to give us our weekly soul feul.
It is scary...
It is scary tgailey that a lot of people think going to church is enough, and I agree that we do need to attend church because that is where we are feed.
God Bless you!
People who think "religion"
People who think "religion" is enough are walking on such scary ground. It is sad!
Scary that it is
You are so right Cawfee. Not only scary but deadly. We should all be praying for those people... there are so many out there.
Religion or Relationship
I saw a tee shirt once that said "Christianity is not a religion, but a relationship with Jesus Christ". I look back and see that that is basically what Christianity is about. Simply going to church is not enough if you don't pay attention or don't understand.