EDITORIAL by Pastor Ralph H. Flynn
Religion vs Christianity

There is a great difference between religion (Churchianity) and Christianity. Many are going to church but few are going down the road which leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14). Many name the Name of Christ (II Timothy 2:19) and claim to be Christians but few understand what a Christian really is. Many are religious but few are right with God. May God help us to understand the difference between religion and true Christianity as set forth in the Word of God, the Holy Bible.

Religion: Salvation is something I must do. I must somehow earn or gain salvation by the way I live.
Christianity: Salvation is something only God can do. Salvation is of the LORD. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Jonah 2:9).

Religion: Summed up in one word: DO. Man trying to DO different things to please God and earn His favor.
Christianity: Summed up in one word: DONE. Christ dying on the cross to save sinful man (John 19:30).

Religion: The religious man is busy "working" (doing good works) in order to be saved.
Christianity: The saved person is "not working" (Romans 4:5) but resting upon the finished work of Christ.

Religion: Trying.
Christianity: Trusting (Acts 16:31).

Religion: A work to do which is never done. (How can anyone work well enough and hard enough to earn salvation?)
Christianity: A Word to believe (I Peter 1:25) about a work that is done (I Peter 1:18-19).

Religion: Man hoping to save himself.
Christianity: God saving hopeless man (I Timothy 1:15).

Religion: Man trying to bring himself to God (by human effort, good works, ritualism, traditionalism, sacraments, etc.).
Christianity: Christ bringing us to God on the basis of what He did for us on the cross (I Peter 3:18).

Religion: Man trusting his won good works (Titus 3:5).
Christianity: Man is trusting the good work which the Lord Jesus did on the cross (Romans 3:22-26).

Religion: A ritual.
Christianity: A relationship (John 17:3).

Religion: Following rules.
Christianity: Enjoying life (John 6:47; John 10:10).

Religion: "I must reform my life and turn over a new leaf."
Christianity: "I must be born again" (John 3:7).

Religion: Doing something.
Christianity: Knowing Someone (John 17:3).

Religion: Man trying to please God in the WRONG WAY (Romans 8:8 "So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God").
Christianity: Man truly pleasing God in the ONLY WAY (Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him").

Religion: Seeking to earn God's favor by works.
Christianity: Receiving God's favor by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8; Ephesians 1:6).

Religion: Salvation is something that a person must earn.
Christianity: Salvation is a free gift (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 4:10).

Religion: The sinner sees himself as good (Luke 18:11-12).
Christianity: The sinner sees himself as sinful (Luke 18:13).

Religion: The religious man compares himself with others (Luke 18:11).
Christianity: The saved man sees himself as God sees him (I Samuel 16:7; Psalm 53:1-3; Romans 3:10-12).

Religion: Trusting self (Luke 18:9)
Christianity: Trusting Christ (Ephesians 1:12-13).

Religion: Boasting in self (Luke 18:11-12).
Christianity: Boasting in The Lord (I Corinthians 1:29-31; Ephesians 2:9).

Religion: Pictured in Genesis 3 by the fig leaves that Adam and Eve made for themselves - A covering
unapproved by God.
Christianity: Pictured in Genesis 3 by the coats of skin which God provided by way of the shedding of blood - A covering prepared by God.

What covering are you wearing?
One prepared by man or one prepared by God?

Religion: There are many ways to Heaven.
Christianity: Jesus Christ said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).

Religion: Stay in your denomination.
Christianity: "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (II Corinthians 6:17-7:1).

Religion: Let us entertain you. Let us not offend you. Let us not preach at you. "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" (II Timothy 4:3-4).
Christianity: "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14).

What are you hearing at your church?
The Bible preached chapter by chapter or little to no Bible?
God honoring music or the sounds of the World?
Sound doctrine practiced or "times have changed" practices?

May we invite you to visit our church!

Faith Bible Church of Bellevue
400 Southwest Street
Two Sunday Services: 10:40 AM and 6:00 PM

Hear Pastor Ralph Flynn say,
"Open your Bibles to . . ."

Call for a free brochure about Faith Bible Church
419-483-6024

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