Damning Religion
Galatians 5:2-4
The gospel of Christ is
essentially different from every religion in the world. It is different in one
vital point. THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST IS A MESSAGE OF GRACE ALONE. Every religion
in the world, except the gospel of Christ, tells you to do something to
recommend yourself to God. It is the business of all false religions to patch
up a righteousness in which sinners can stand before God accepted. It is the
business of the gospel preacher to proclaim a righteousness ready made, a robe
of righteousness ready to wear, a perfect righteousness wrought out by Christ
alone, in which sinners stand eternally, immutably, unconditionally accepted in
the Beloved, perfect, complete, and without fault before God. I hold before you
perfect righteousness in Jesus Christ, the righteousness he accomplished on
behalf of sinners by his obedience as our Substitute, a righteousness without
any works, conditions, or stipulations to be met by you (Rom. 5:19). Will you
receive this free-grace righteousness, by faith alone, without works; or will
you perish, seeking to establish righteousness by the works of your own hands?
(See Rom. 9:31-33).
WORKS RELIGION, UNDER
ANY NAME, IS DAMNING RELIGION. Any religion that conditions salvation upon
something you must do, be it a work ever so small, is
antichrist. Any religion that conditions any part of salvation upon you is
damning to your soul. REDEMPTION is not a work to be completed and made
effectual by you. It is an effectual work, completely accomplished by Christ
(John
Don Fortner