Defining Religion

There is the worldly meaning for religion and the Christian meaning

 The Christian meaning is simply… trying to qualify

• When it comes to God and his support
  • Earning
  • Being worthy
  • Deserving
  • Accomplishing

 Who’s earning, you or Christ?

• If its you, you might as well throw away Christ,
• Paul goes on to say Christ is of no value to you.
• Anything you earn in God is religion, anything Christ earnt is Christianity
• You have been given all things what more can you earn?

The opposite of gift is earning it (earning the gift)

• In other words the opposite of Gift is religion…
• Freely freely you receive
• If you try and earn what has been given as a free gift, you offend the giver

The focus has changed

In the old covenant it was about works, new covenant it’s about Jesus works

 Religion focuses on

• Your performance
• Your heart condition
• Your desire to walk with God

It’s extremely destructive; it destroys love and wrecks relationships