TODAY’S VERSES:
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
In prep school we recently began a series titled, “Christianity vs Religion”, in other words- the religion of the Bible vs the religions of the world. What is the difference, you ask? Webster’s dictionary defines it as “a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices: the service and worship of God or the supernatural: commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance” The Bible defines it as-
James 1:27 “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”
The differences may not seem obvious to you from the definition and verses, but there are many. This month we will focus on the first and foremost- how people are saved from their sin. If you were to ask people on the street how people are saved or what they had to do in order to spend eternity with God in Heaven- how do you think they would respond? The Evangelist in our church does just that and he has found that most people say if you are a “good person”, you will go to Heaven. So, they believe salvation is earned by “being good”.
What does the Bible have to say about our ability to be good on our own?
Romans 3:10-12 “As it is written: ‘There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.’
Hmmm.. ok, so it is not about being a “good” person. So, how are we saved then? The answer, like all answers, is found in God’s Word. Here is a summary for you; God, the Son, became a man (Jesus Christ) and remained sinless. He was judged for the sins of His children, and died on a cross. Then, He was raised from the dead. When we humbly repent of our sin and believe in the person and work of Jesus Christ, God gives us saving faith and adopts us into His family. Amazing, huh?
Acts 16:31 “They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.’”
So, you see, the religions of the world say it is up to us to be good enough and earn our way into Heaven. The religion of the Bible (Christianity) teaches that it is God who saves us, by grace, through the work of Jesus Christ, even giving us the faith to believe! The whole point of salvation is that we NEED a savior and cannot possibly be good enough or made righteous without Him.
Romans 3:22-24 “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Thank you, Lord, for your amazing grace!