It is truly amazing that rules and regulations (the law) are what people usually want, but Jesus is all people really need. Religion is all about doing, achieving, accomplishing, and earning our salvation. Many say, “Just tell me what to do and I will do it.” Religious people who trust in living by the rules will usually boast about what they have done (their good works). But a Christian has nothing to boast about. He or she boasts only in the Lord. “Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” Ephesians 2:9 NLT
As Christians we are to put no confidence in ourselves. The popular religious philosophy of today is “the Lord helps those who help themselves”, which by the way is not even in the Bible. It was also popular in Paul’s day and it is just as wrong today as it was back then. The Bible has nothing good to say about our good works apart from Him and yet many Christians today are depending entirely on their good works to please God and failing miserably. Romans 3:12 tells us, “…no one does good, not even one.”
There is only one good work that pleased God, the finished work of His Son Jesus Christ on the cross. That’s it. Praise be to God!
His name was Monty. He wanted to kill himself. He told me how he tried to do good works and to keep all the rules but was failing miserably. He hated his job and wanted to commit suicide. All the time I am thinking, Lord, give me something to say to this desperate man. When he had finished he looked at me and said, “What do you have to say?” And the Lord told me to say to him, “Praise God!” He looked at me with shock on his face and said, “What did you say?” I said, “Praise God! That’s what God wants all of us to do. But not the way you’re thinking with a gun or pills. He wants us all to die to self and allow Him to live His life through us.” He told me he didn’t want to go to work because he hated his job and the people he worked with. I said, “You don’t have to go to work anymore, let Jesus take your body to work. He can love the people you work with.” Monty was transformed. (Romans 12:2)
Michael Wells wrote, “Suicidal people are on the right track, only it is not the outer life that needs to go, but the inner life. God does not want to improve the inner life, He wants to remove it.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote 80 years ago, “When Christ calls a man; He bids him to come and die.”
The Apostle Paul wrote 2000 years ago, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me, and the life I live in this body I live by faith.”
Christianity is not self-improvement; it’s self-replacement!
“No one does good, not even one.” So Lose Your Religion-Let Jesus Live Through You!
LIFE LESSON: “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2) It’s not about religion; it’s all about a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus. It’s about Christ living His life in and through your body…That’s the secret mystery of our faith. “Christ in You the hope of glory.”
The Galatian Road A Road Less Traveled DVD Bible study series will hopefully be completed by next month. There is still need for funds. God has opened many doors of opportunity for the ministry. Please help us meet these needs.
We appreciate your continued support and for partnering with us to proclaim the truth in God’s Word about His amazing grace. To Him be the glory!