Archive for 22. April 2010

Religious Do’s and Don’ts

Why did man, or better still, why does man have to reject God’s free gift of forgiveness and salvation and add “rules, regulations and rituals” that God does not require? As much as man hates work, why must man complicate God’s plans by requiring “works” be mingled with God’s commandments to form man-made religions with list upon list of “Do’s and Don’ts?”

The Pharisee’s of Jesus’ days had their lists as religious denominations of today have theirs. (Please note, God’s commandments as listed in the Bible are not being scrutinized under the category of “lists,” but man’s additions to God’s commandments are.) Does your religion require that you bow down or pray to your god numerous times everyday? Do you have to volunteer for every church committee or attend every religious service in order to enter heaven? Are you forbidden to dance or play cards? The list of man-made rules could go on and on.

Look at your religious affiliation and write down its do’s and don’ts.  If you have rules you must adhere to in order for you to be accepted by your god or to be welcomed into heaven, then you have, unfortunately, substituted religious works for salvation.

Jesus’ brother James wrote in his epistle, see James 1:27 NIV;  “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” It is good to be religious, but do not confuse religion or religious affiliations with salvation.  They are not the same.

You can be a deeply “religious” person and still not be saved. You are saved when you believe and accept the message of the Gospel—Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.  No work on your part is required for your salvation. It is a free gift.  To obtain this gift of salvation and forgiveness, God will burden your heart to repentance. Read about the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in “BLOG Post 03-26-10 – Good News.”

If your “religion” does not believe in the Good News of the Gospel and does not believe the Bible is Truth written by inspired men of God, then I would suggest you find another religion.  Otherwise, you will not be going to the heaven Jesus promised to all who love Him, and you will not find “the peace that surpasses all understanding.”

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