Salvation, not religion the way to heaven

“For there is no partiality with God” (Romans 2:11).

My pastor made an observation a few Sundays ago that surprised me. He remarked that an alarming percentage of people who attend church are not saved. As I looked around, I realized that God is the only one who can really tell the difference.

Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16). But it’s hard to tell sometimes because “religion” can fool you.

Some people attend church out of custom or habit. Their presence in the pews has nothing to do with whether they are saved or not. Going to church is a matter of religion for them. They think the fact that they show up will earn them a ticket to heaven, but unless and until they accept Jesus Christ, that is not true.

I ran across a Christian Web site the other day that dealt with the difference between religion and salvation. The author, a Texan by the name of Andy Neckar, put it this way: “Men and women are willing to believe in the moral precepts of God’s word, as based on the Ten Commandments, while refusing to believe in, rest on and receive God’s son as savior to their souls.”

He’s right. The Bible says that there is only one sure way to heaven. “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Scripture is clear: God has no use for religion. Consider these observations that I gleaned from Neckar’s Web site, all of which are supported by God’s Word:

Religion is what man does for God; Salvation is what God does for man. “All we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned, every one, to his own way. And the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).

Religion depends on our behaving; Salvation depends on our believing. That’s why Acts 16:31 says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.”

Religion depends on the sufficiency of character; Salvation depends on the sacrifice of the cross. “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

Religion says we must be found in God’s house; Salvation says “be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith” (Philippians 3:9).

Religion tries to bring us from darkness to light; Salvation brings us from death into life. Jesus said it this way: “He who hears my word and believes in him who sent me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life” (John 5:24).

When the altar is opened at your church on Sunday, ask God to convict those who think they are saved but are not. Ask him to give them the strength and courage to heed his call. And if you feel him knocking on the door of your heart, for your own sake, ask him to come in.