RELIGION or SALVATION - Which Have You? An essay about the difference between religion and a relationship with Christ Believersweb.org

RELIGION or SALVATION - Which Have You?

Written by: The Gospel Tract Society Posted on: 04/14/2003

Category: Christian Living

Source: CCN

RELIGION or SALVATION - Which Have You?

Jesus said: I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father but by Me. John 14:6.

Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other Name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12.

How clear and concise: there should be neither confusion nor contradiction. There are many names under heaven in which we can find religion; but salvation can be found in one only. All have sinned Rom. 3:23, so all need a Saviour: For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. 6:23. At Calvary He paid sin's awful penalty for all who will accept Him; but His death there was not to give men a religion; it was to provide Salvation.

There is no salvation in priests; penance or prayers; but only in Christ. Service and sacraments, churches and charities, tears and treasure, ritual and reformation - A L L are alike helpless to save.

Men are willing to give assent in their heads to the claims of Christianity; while refusing to accept in their hearts the Christ of Christianity.

Men are willing to take the high place in the work and ritual of the church; while refusing to take the low place of guilty sinners needing a sinner's Saviour.

Men are willing to believe in the moral precepts of God's Word, as based on the Commandments; while refusing to believe in, rest on, and receive God's Son as Saviour of their souls, because of His finished work in their behalf at Calvary.

Religion is the improvement of the old nature through respect for lofty principles. Salvation is the imparting of a new nature through receiving a Lowly Person. As many as received HIM to them gave HE power to become the sons of God. John 1:12.

Religion clothes us with the robes of our own righteousness, which God says are as filthy rags. Isa. 64:6. Salvation clothes us in the perfect righteousness of Christ, which alone can make us acceptable in the sight of God.

Not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to His Mercy He saved us. Titus 3:5.

Religion is what man does for God. Salvation is what God does for man. Isa. 53:6.

Religion says, Something in my hand I bring. Salvation says, Nothing in my hand I bring. Eph. 2:8, 9.

Religion is trusting in a work we do. Salvation is trusting in a work that has been done. Matt. 26:28.

Religion depends on our behaving. Salvation depends on our believing. Acts. 16:31.

Religion says we must act our best. Salvation says we must accept God's best. John 3:16 and 36.

Religion depends on the sufficiency of character. Salvation depends on the Sacrifice of the Cross. I Cor. 1:18.

Religion tries to furnish a sacrifice. Salvation trusts in a finished sacrifice. John 19:30.

Religion is striving for a better attainment. Salvation is secured through a perfect atonement. I Pet. 1:18, 19.

Religion tries to bring us from darkness to light. Salvation DOES bring us from Death unto Life. John 5:24.

Religion says we must be found in God's house. Salvation says we must be found in HIM, not having our own righteousness which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ. Phil. 3:9.

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