Redeemed or Religious?
Colin Melbourne
© 98-08 Born-Again-Christian.info
What's the difference?: Truth or Tradition, Heaven or Hell
Human nature always tries to justify itself before God. It either denies its sinfulness or works to make amends for it. But God has decreed that:
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Holy Bible Ro. 3:23 NIV
No-one can make themselves right in the sight of God no matter how much they pray, offer sacrifices, or do good deeds, but millions of people are trying to earn their way into God's favour. Religions thrive on this deception. Rituals, incantations, and good deeds can never justify anyone before God. God must do it for us. He has provided a way, the only way, for even the vilest sinner to be completely cleansed of sin and unrighteousness.
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Ro. 5:8
God made him who had no sin to be a sin offering for us, so that in him (Jesus) we may become the righteousness of God. 2 Co. 5:21
Righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe (that He died for them). Ro. 3:21
Our right-standing before God is His Gift to anyone who will trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not a reward for good behaviour. God gives it freely to those who trust that Jesus' Blood was shed for them, and pays their debt in full.
Justification (right-relationship with God) comes through faith in Christ from first to last. It begins with faith, is maintained by faith, and even this faith is God's gift, so there's no room for boasting.
For it is by grace you (born again believers) have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no-one can boast. Eph. 2:8-9
We are saved by trusting that Christ bore our guilt and rose from the dead. I was saved in 1988, when I first believed and received Christ as my Lord and Saviour. I will always stand confident before God, not because of what I do for Him in my ministry, but because of what Jesus has done for me. If my confidence is based on my holy lifestyle or meritorious deeds, then it is vain and useless to save.
No! I rely solely on Jesus' deed, Jesus' holy life, and His innocent Blood shed for me. God in The Flesh bled and died to clear my sin debt once and for all.I believe that, and I have peace that passes understanding and joy unspeakable. You can have it too if you will Repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ now.
Even if I'm doing well, I'll discover that, compared to Christ's, my works are flawed and far below His standard. But His work on my behalf, stands forever perfect, flawless, and finished. Praise Him!
Real peace with God, righteousness, and justification, only come to the person who depends totally on Christ's finished sacrifice on their behalf.
Trust in the LORD Jesus Christ today and you will be saved.
The moment a person accepts Christ as Saviour, they are instantly holy, blameless, and righteous in God's sight.
Now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation. Col. 1:22
Jesus suffered - (on the Cross) - to make the people holy through his own blood. Heb. 13:12
It is because of him (God) that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us - our righteousness holiness and redemption. 1 Co. 1:30
Righteousness and holiness are given freely by God and cannot be improved on by the believer.
It is by grace you have been saved, through faith (trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ) and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no-one can boast. Eph. 2:8-9
Human nature rebels, "It's too easy. I must suffer, and do something to earn it."
People who think like this usually pray or chant and count beads, they go on pilgrimages, or mediate for hours, but they are never satisfied, never obtain real peace with God. They remain separated from God, lost in their sins.
That's true of many churchgoers too. You can go through the motions, know all the doctrines, recite Scriptures from memory, and assent to creeds, yet still die in your sins and go to Hell. Why? Because,
You must be born again. Jn.3:7
You must know the Lord Jesus Christ personally, and follow Him. Do you?
Almighty God has made it easy for us to be saved because we cannot save ourselves, and He loves us, we are His creation.
"But I don't deserve such a gift." Pride cries out. None of us deserves mercy, but God loves us so much, He gave Jesus to die in our place, so we can come back to Him with nothing left against us.
For God so loved the world (that's you) that he gave his one and only Son. That whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Jn.3:16
Perhaps you are searching for meaning and purpose in life. Many people are without realizing it. You may follow a philosophy or a religion that seems to satisfy your value system. But in the end it will disappoint you my Friend. That is why you are reading this, God is reaching out to you. He's calling you to repent and trust in Jesus' Blood, and discover your real purpose, real peace, and real life. Quit your striving, when you come to Jesus, you come to the absolute Truth. Receive Him as Lord and Saviour now.
Jesus said, I am the way, the truth and the life, no-one comes to the Father except through me. Jn.14:6
Don't reject Him again, begin your new life today. Repent and believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, God in the Flesh, died bearing your sin, your guilt, and the full penalty you deserve. That after He paid your debt to God, He arose from the dead proving that He is God, that He was innocent, and your sin is paid for.
To redeem means to buy back, to make amends for, and to make up for other faults. The simple truth of the Gospel is that Christ is the only Redeemer of your soul, and without Him, nobody makes it into Heaven.
For Christ's death on the cross has made peace with God for all (believers) by his blood. Col. 1:20 LB
Believe in Him now and you can always stand in the presence of God bearing the righteousness of Christ, forever perfect, washed of all sin through the precious Blood of Jesus Christ. And you can know the wonderful truth that:
It was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 1 Pe. 1:18-19
Who is the Great Harlot?
