Are you Trusting Religion instead of the Cross?

Flood Zone Recap

From Mark Driscoll

9 Distinctions Between the Gospel and Religion:

Religion-A Theology of Glory
Gospel-A Theology of the Cross

Be devoted to and serious about the Gospel...not religion.

One:
Religion tells you “if you obey, then God will love you”
The Gospel says “because God loves you, you want to obey”
-Dad’s love will make you better
-God’s love changes us

Two:
Religion is prone to see “good people” and “bad people”
-list by which we judge people
-preach repentance but don’t practice it because “we’re the good guys”
The Gospel sees bad people (sinners) and Jesus
-We’re all sinners and there is one good guy
-It’s not whether your a sinner but whether you are repentant
-The first word of the Gospel is “repent”
-”Heretics are people who don’t preach or practice repentance.” J.I. Packer

Three:
Religion is about getting from God and using God
-Idolatry and Paganism
-Manipulating God to use God to get what you want
-When God doesn’t give you what you want then you get angry, frustrated and give up on God.
The Gospel is about getting God
-God gives to you himself
-A bigger deal than healing, money or a new car

Four:
Religion sees hardship as punishment

The Gospel sees hardship as loving correction from a Good Dad
-God disciplines the children that he loves
-God already punished Jesus...the penalty has been paid

Five:
Religion is very aware of other people’s sins
-like to confess the sins of others
-pushes unbelievers away
The Gospel is very aware of my own sin
-confess their own sin
-leads to a humility that invites others to know God

Six:
Religion is primarily concerned with the external and the visible
The Gospel is primarily concerned with how the heart looks

Seven:
Religion is uncertain about salvation
-”I’m Trying my best”
The Gospel is about certainty
-”It is Finished”
-1 John

Eight:
Religion is about self-righteousness
-The root of all religion
-Performance based
The Gospel is about gift-righteousness
-2 Corinthians 5:21-The Great Exchange
-You can’t add to the righteousness that is given by Christ
-Accompanied by the Holy Spirit to live a new life

Nine:
Religion results in...
-Pride
-Despair
The Gospel results in Holy Happiness

Where do you see that you are depending on Religion instead of the Gospel? Pray that the Holy Spirit will work in your life in these areas, helping you recognize when you are trusting in Religion instead of the Cross.