The Difference Between Religion And Christ!

I have a dear friend who is currently incarcerated in the state of Missouri at the Crossroads Correctional Center. He is serving a long sentence for a crime that is serious in nature and he will not become eligible for parole for several more years. But I believe my friend has a solid grasp of the difference between religion and Christ.
In a recent letter he shared that he was excited about an opportunity to teach in one of the prison church groups and that he selected this very topic for the occasion. Here is an excerpt from his letter to me...

Yesterday, I got to teach in church about the difference between religion and Christ. The difference is that religion is something to do to get closer to God, and Christ is someone who did something to make us right with God. Religion has no assurance that we are "good enough" before God, but Christ has assured us through His sacrifice for our sins that we are righteous before God.

My friend has quite accurately captured the difference between religion and grace. In the eyes of the world he is condemned because of his crime. But the truth of the matter is that this man is more free and more righteous than 90% percent of the people outside of those prison walls. 

By simple faith in the Savior my friend enjoys the righteousness of Christ and the assurance of forgiveness of sins and eternal life. No prison bars or walls can destroy this reality! He is free because Christ has set him free.

Many people in our churches today don't have this clear understanding of religion versus grace.

I have been reading a wonderful book entitled One Way Love: Inexhaustible Grace For An Exhausted World by Tullian Tchividjian. Here is one of the many startling comments that Tchividjian makes early in his book...

"Grace is unconditional acceptance given to an undeserving person by an unobligated giver"

My friend at Crossroad Correctional Center has come to the point in his life where he knows that he is unconditionally accepted even though he is undeserving. He also knows that God was under no obligation to extend His grace to any of us. Romans 5:8 puts  it like this ".But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Friend, are you persuaded that because of Christ's redemptive work on the cross that you are now "accepted" by God? If not, I urge you to simply trust in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus to be a sufficient payment for your sins. Quit relying on whatever it is that you are currently doing in a vain attempt to be right with God. Jesus has already done it all and simply calls you to believe in His finished work!

Mass Animal Deaths Are Now Being Investigated By CBS And Major Universities!

Mass animal deaths are no longer the subject of youtubers and bloggers but now CBS is investigating the stark reality of these end time events. Are you ready for even more bizarre events in the future? Trust Jesus Christ as your Savior while there is still time.

Merry Christmas Prevails In Chicago!

This has been a pretty good Christmas season for me. My wonderful wife has completed all the shopping and the wrapping. If it were not for her contribution to this season there would be no Christmas at our house!

Another thing that I have noticed this year is that there has been a marked increase of people using the greeting "Merry Christmas" as opposed to "Happy Holidays". I have been pleasantly surprised by the volume of folks who use the greeting with real intention and enthusiasm. I think the liberal and politically correct crowd have lost some ground in this area.

However, there was one man in Chicago who was boarding an American Airline flight at LaGuardia Airport who took real offense to hearing Merry Christmas. It seems that as the man entered the airport he was greeted by an AA employee and a cheerful "Merry Christmas" and became so incensed that he shouted at the employee and admonished her to not use that expression with anyone else because not everyone celebrates Christmas. You can read about the story here.

It turns out that as the man boarded the plane he was once again exposed to  the same greeting from the flight attendant. Again, he shouted and caused a commotion on the plane. He failed to cool his jets, no pun intended, and the airline removed him from the plane to the cheers of fellow passengers!

First, I want to commend American Airlines for allowing their employees to address this particular holiday correctly. Second, I would like to congratulate the passengers on the jet for their support of Christmas and their rejection of the rowdy passenger's inappropriate behavior. Third, I would encourage travelers to reward American Airlines for their stance by purchasing tickets on their planes!

But let us consider the more serious story that underlies this bizarre incident in Chicago. When I read this story I was reminded of a verse in the Bible that aptly describes what really happened in the LaGuardia airport. Here it is...

Romans 1:28 Since they didn't think it was worthwhile to acknowledge God, God abandoned them to a defective mind to do inappropriate things.

There you have it, when you don't think it is worthwhile to acknowledge God He will abandon you to do inappropriate things!

It was inappropriate to throw such a tantrum over a greeting that most accurately captures the meaning of this season. Whether you like it or not Jesus Christ is the true reason for this season. He is the central character of all history. He is the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. He is Counselor, Wonderful, Redeemer, Savior, Creator, God Himself and the soon returning Victor over evil and the world!

Failure to acknowledge Him is a mistake with eternal consequences. He came to live a sinless life and die a criminals death. He rose again from the dead and all who put their trust in His redemptive work to be payment for their sins will receive forgiveness and life eternal. 

Have you made this important decision? I encourage you to trust Christ as your Savior today! You can find out how by clicking here!

Oh, I almost forgot, Merry Christmas!