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RELIGION : A DEAD END
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Colossians 2:8 Do you know there is a difference between religion and Christianity ? Some folks like to impress others with their church talk and their holier than thou attitude. But, let me tell you, Jesus gives strong warnings against those who are hypocrites. This country has been getting mighty religious as of late. We have learned tolerance, all kinds of tolerance, and people have been discovering new ways to get to heaven. But, the Bible says that there is only one way to heaven. Sadly, many people who sit in churches today think they are doing the will of God, but in reality, they are lost and on their way to hell. In Mark chapter 11, as Jesus was leaving Bethany towards Jerusalem, He stopped at a fig tree, being hungry. Now the fig tree was full of leaves, but it had no figs. Here is the illustration that Jesus used because of the barren fig tree: religion looks good on the outside, clean and shiny, talking the talk. But the inside is empty. There is no fruit, such as the case of the fig tree. The Christian life bears fruit. Religion goes through all the motions, but religion is empty without Jesus. You need to know Jesus Christ in a personal way. His sacrificial death on the Cross of Calvary has provided the only way for you to have eternal life in heaven with Him. You see, the religious leaders of Jesus' day never entered heaven. They had empty religion. Their religion was based on obeying laws and standards, traditions of men.
Matthew 5:20..."For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."
Mark 7:6 This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
You might fool some people with your religion, but you don't fool Jesus. Matthew 7:21 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven," Verse 23 of the same chapter, Jesus says, "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
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Many people claim to believe in God, and they say they follow Jesus' teachings. But following his teachings and trying to live the good life isn't enough. In reality, attending church does not secure you a spot in heaven.
Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, or do you have a personal relationship with the church or the pastor ? Here is an amazing fact about Jesus' ministry: Even though the people failed to recognize Jesus for who He was, demons recognized Jesus immediately. And of course, demons do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. But many today use the name of Jesus without knowing Him. In the 19th chapter of Acts, a priest and his seven sons were using the name of Jesus, they didn't know Jesus in a personal way, and they were attacked and beaten by a demon-possessed man. They didn't have the power of Christ because they didn't know Christ.
James 2:19..".Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble."
If you confess Jesus, do you possess Jesus? Invite Him into your heart today. Ask Him for forgiveness. He's the only way to Heaven.
Romans 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shall be saved"
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