- Irreligion (relativism): I decide my own truth and meaning in this world outside of God.
- Religion (moralism): I trust in my own ability to obey God in order to be accepted by Him.
- Gospel (Christianity): I am accepted perfectly in Jesus. Therefore, I can obey God.
Because Winter Springs and the surrounding area is a hyper-religious, under-churched subculture, it would be wise for us to consider the difference between religion and the gospel. Consider the following (adapted from the CrossPointe Partnership Manual) and pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the ways in which you're presently falling into the trap of religion (moralism), as well as the ways in which you're presently believing the gospel.
Religion: "I obey - therefore I'm accepted."
Gospel: "I'm accepted - therefore I obey."
Religion: Motivation is based on fear and insecurity.
Gospel: Motivation is based on grateful joy.
Religion: I obey God in order to get things from God.
Gospel: God is the gift. I obey in order to maximize my joy in Him.
Religion: When circumstances in my life go wrong, I am angry at God or myself, since I believe (like Job's friends) that anyone who is good deserves a comfortable life.
Gospel: When circumstances in my life go wrong, I struggle. But, I know that my punishment fell on Jesus. And, while he may allow this for my training, he will exercise his love within my trial.
Religion: When I am criticized, I am furious or devastated because it is critical that I think of myself as a "good person". Threats to that self-image must be destroyed at all costs.
Gospel: When I am criticized, I struggle. But, it is not critical for me to think of myself as a "good person". My identity is not built on my record or performance but on God's love for me in Christ.
Religion: My prayer life consists largely of petition, and it only heats up when I am in a time of need. My main purpose in prayer is control of my environment.
Gospel: My prayer life consists of generous stretches of praise and adoration. My main purpose is fellowship with God.
Religion: My self-image swings between two poles. If and when I am living up to my standards, I feel confident. But, then I am prone to be proud and unsympathetic to failing people. If and when I am not living up to my standards, I feel humble but not confident. I feel like a failure.
Gospel: My self-image is not based on a view of myself as a moral achiever. In Christ, I am simultaneously sinful and lost, yet accepted. I am so bad that Jesus had to die for me. And, I am so loved that he was glad to die for me. This leads me to deeper and deeper humility and confidence at the same time - neither swaggering nor sniveling.
Religion: Since I look to my own pedigree or performance for acceptability, my heart manufactures idols. It may be my talents, moral record, personal discipline, social status, etc. I absolutely have to have them. They serve as my main source of hope, meaning, happiness, security, and significance - regardless of what I may say that I believe about God.
Gospel: I have many good things in my life - family, work, possessions, hobbies, etc. But none of these good things are ultimate things to me. None of them are things that I absolutely have to have. So, there is a limit to how much anxiety, bitterness, and despondency they can inflict on me when they are threatened or lost.
So, how did you do? If that's even a question in your mind, you've fallen into the trap of religion (moralism) and it's time to repent (not of your sin, but rather your righteousness). The question is not, "How did you do?" The real question is, "How did Jesus do?" And, the answer is this: Jesus lived the perfect life that you and I could never live. Stop trusting in yourself and trust in the perfect merits of Jesus on your behalf. He loves to save not only the irreligious, but the religious.
Jamey Vizzini
Lead Pastor/Planter
CrossPointe Winter Springs
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