Weekly Inspirations

Religion vs. the Gospel

Message Date: April 4, 2010 / By David Youngren

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Jesus came to give us life - not human life, but life as God has it. And that life is filled with abundance – nothing lacking; nothing wanting. Often the thief referred to in this verse is interpreted to mean the devil. But when you study the context of the scripture carefully, Jesus is not directly speaking about the devil (although the devil is the ultimate thief). Jesus referred to religious leaders who seek to know God through religion – and not Christ Jesus.

When I mention religion, I refer to the adherence of three basic principles:

There is sin or evil in the world that must be punished
The law or a moral code of how to live enables us to be free from sin
If we fail to uphold the law or the moral code, there is judgment, condemnation and punishment

Although different terminology is often used, every religion and secular society is generally built upon these principles that stem from Adam’s fall. Even much of Christianity acknowledge Jesus as Savior while at the same time they teach obedience to the law in order to be free from sin and accepted, approved or favored by God.

Jesus was confronted by religion. For example, one day an adulterous woman was brought to Jesus by religious leaders, who quoted the Law of Moses and the severity of such sin. The Law demanded judgment. But knowing the evil motives of the religious leaders, Jesus told them that the one without sin should begin the stoning. Of course, everyone had sinned, so all of them departed because their conscience accused them. Then Jesus, now alone with the woman, looked at her and said, Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more. He was without sin, and had the right to condemn. Yet He only offered love. He offered the gift of no condemnation – the only gift that can truly cause a person to cease to sin.

Religion expressed itself again when the rich young ruler came to Jesus asking, Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life? Religion always asks what “I” must do. It seeks to improve self in order to be accepted, approved and favored. Of course, Jesus had not yet gone to the cross, so His answer was a direct response to the young ruler’s question. Jesus told him all that he had to do was to follow the laws completely to inherit the life of God. The ruler responded that he had done it all, so there must still be something he lacked.

Religion will always teach us that we lack something. We never quite measure up. We never quite give, pray or fast enough. The focus is on self and the more we look at ourselves, the more we see imperfections and reasons why we should not be favored. Ultimately, the rich young ruler walked away sad because Jesus pointed out the one thing he could not do. Puzzled the disciples then asked Jesus who then could be saved, implying that no one can then be saved. Jesus responded, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

This is the difference between religion and the Gospel. Religion is about seeking to do the impossible. The Gospel is about what God has made possible through Christ Jesus – what we could not do, He did!!! When Jesus died on the cross, He became the perfect sacrifice for sin. He took the sin of the world upon Himself, and God judged sin in the body of Jesus. The full judgment and punishment of sin was put upon Jesus. Because of what Jesus did, we have been made alive in Christ Jesus.

That’s why the Gospel is the opposite of religion:

The gospel does not seek to punish sin, because the good news is that sin has already been punished. There is no need for further judgment of sins. It has been dealt with once and for all. Therefore we have been forgiven or pardoned from all sin.
The gospel does not seek to impose laws or moral conduct in order to be accepted, approved and favored by God. In fact, Jesus fulfilled the law completely and then nailed it to the cross. Paul said in Col. 2: 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
The gospel does not judge, condemn or punish when we fail. Before the death and resurrection, Satan, the prosecutor, had a legal case against us. He accused us before God day and night using the law. But when Jesus arose from the dead, Satan was disarmed – the law was taken from him. The just punishment for breaking the Law had been paid. There was no legal claim against us, and so he was cast down from God’s presence. But the devil is a deceiver and father of lies. He still uses the law to deceive people in order to keep them in bondage. He is the ultimate crooked prosecutor who continues to harass even though the case has been settled once and for all. He is smart enough to deceive many to think they must be punished. But don’t listen to him. Listen to the voice of the Great Shepherd. You are accepted, approved and favored.

Religion leads to strife, division and war. The Gospel leads to love, peace and transformation. When we mix the two, we are often left confused, disillusioned and disgruntled. So let the full truth of the Gospel sink into your heart today. You are blessed and highly favored in Christ Jesus. It’s when your heart sees what you have in Christ that you are truly living by faith.

Application:

How have you seen religion (see above definition) displayed in churches before? Give examples of strife, and division, and then evaluate how these situations were really evidence of religion rather than the Gospel.
What happens in our relationship with others when we truly have a revelation of the Gospel? Give examples that demonstrate joy, peace, love and kindness.

(John 10:1-11; John 8:2-12; John 12:30-33; 2 Cor. 5: 18- 19; Matt 19: 16-26; Col. 2:13-15)

Footnote: We believe in right living because wrong living leads to so much hurt, pain and destruction. But we also believe that the only true way to right living is by right believing. It is only when we receive God’s grace by faith that we are guided into right living.

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