Religion vs. The Gospel

There is a good sense of relgion, yet referred to here it connotates a pharisaical implementation.

The following is from Chris Barksdale of the hollywood church:

·      Religion says if you obey God then he loves you and accepts you. The gospel says God loves you because of Jesus therefore you obey.

·      Religion says life and the Bible is all about what I do for God. The gospel says it is about what Jesus did for God on my behalf.

·      Religion says God is like a piñata and religious acts are the stick you hit Him with to get thing from Him. The Gospel says that God is an unconditional lover and giver to those who accept His Son.

·      Religion leads to pride, despair, uncertainty, and no assurance. The Gospel leads to humility, confidence, and joy.

·      Religion sees hardship as a punishment from God. The Gospel sees hardship as not punishment because Jesus already bore all the punishment for me. Hardship is rather sanctified affliction.

·      Religion sees the world as divided up into good and bad people. The Gospel sees the world as divided up into unrepentant and repentant bad people. 


The last one is telling.  Do you see yourself as against all others, or as a servant of others with the truth?  The dish you serve is the gospel.