Religion or Salvation

“Religion and salvation are two different things, each with their own reward.” “And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 8:11–12). In the midst of a Scripture that shows “great faith,” we find this small passage with great meaning and very prophetic in nature. Jesus has already addressed and reminded us of the importance of faith with the centurion as a shining example, and in the midst of this dialog with the centurion He throws in a very important warning. You see, “the sons of the kingdom” is referring to those who are religious: those who, by birth or study, have been exposed to the law of God. He is speaking directly to those people who have a religious spirit when He says, ‘here is a man of great faith,’ and for those without faith, there will be eternally painful consequence. Have you ever heard someone say something like this: “If God is a God of love, why does He send people to hell?” Many people have taken the stand there cannot be a God of love who would create a place for people to die and spend eternity in suffering. However, what we, as the church, have neglected to tell the world is God did not create hell for mankind. He created it for the fallen angels: the demonic beings and all those who fell from heaven in direct and utter disobedience to God. However, by their own choice, many will join them there. God loves us enough to give us free will, and if we end up in hell, it is truly because we have chosen to be there, not because God wanted us to suffer. Far too many for far too long have used the threat of hell to scare people into salvation, which in turn has led to far too many people seeking fire insurance as opposed to redemption. What’s the difference, you ask? Fire insurance is not worth the paper it’s written on. It requires no change in behavior, no obedience, and no ongoing relationship with our creator. Redemption, on the other hand, allows us to be reconciled to God, to hear His voice, to obey His commands, and when we fail, we are redeemed once again upon repentance. One is religion and the other is relationship; both carry a completely opposite reward, each lasting for eternity. For those who refuse to accept the gift of redemption through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, no amount of good works or sanctification by others, such as priests, will bring them the reward of heaven. Let us not forget, as well, the reward of life on earth directed by the Holy Spirit for those who believe. I had a friend at one time who was a Jehovah’s Witness. I can remember, in one of our many discussions of Jesus, my friend asking me how I knew the voice I heard was not from satan, because the voice he heard told him he was believing rightly. The only answer I could give him was the truth as I knew it to be. The Word of God commanded my unconditional belief in Jesus for my salvation, and Jesus was the One who described the gift of the coming helper; therefore, the voice he hears cannot be from one whom he does not believe in. Needless to say, the subject was changed, but the point remains: without Jesus Christ there is no salvation, and nothing else is needed. † Father, help us to stay focused upon the truth, to avoid confusion, and to test all things by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.