Religion Without Christ

Scripture does not teach the simplistic message that religion is entirely bad. The Bible itself uses the word religion positively in James 1:27:

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.[[quote]]

Therefore, the problem is not religion itself.

The problem is religious activity without genuine faith in Jesus Christ.

## You Can Be Religious and Still Miss Christ

Consider the terrifying words of Jesus in Matthew 7:21-23:

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.[[quote]]

A person can attend church, know Christian language, read Scripture, serve in ministry, give money, behave morally, know theology, and identify culturally as Christian—and still misunderstand salvation.

These practices are not wrong. But the question is whether religious activity has replaced genuine faith in Christ.

## Knowing About Christ

There is an enormous difference between possessing information about Jesus and belonging to Him.

Religious familiarity can actually make self-examination more difficult because a person may mistake familiarity with Christianity for faith in Christ. We can know the facts about His life, death, and resurrection without ever trusting Him to save us.

## The Pharisee Problem

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus confronted religious hypocrisy. He did not condemn the Pharisees simply because they were religious. He condemned them because of their hypocrisy, pride, misplaced confidence, distorted priorities, and their failure to recognize the One standing before them.

They searched the Scriptures diligently, but they refused to come to Christ that they might have life.

## Relationship Without Obedience Is Also Empty

We must also avoid swinging from legalism into sentimental Christianity. Claiming that Christianity is a relationship, not a religion, does not eliminate Christ's commands.

Jesus said:

If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15)[[quote]]

Obedience does not purchase salvation. But a supposed relationship with Christ that refuses His authority is not the biblical picture of discipleship. A true encounter with Christ changes how we live.

## Grace Produces Something

We are saved by grace through faith, not works (Ephesians 2:8-9).

But the God who saves also calls His people into a transformed life (Ephesians 2:10). This protects the teaching of salvation from two opposite errors: legalism, which believes we earn salvation, and empty profession, which believes salvation requires no change.

## Examine Yourself

The Apostle Paul commands believers in 2 Corinthians 13:5:

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.[[quote]]

The goal is not to create obsessive uncertainty about salvation, but to encourage honest spiritual examination. We must not presume upon God's grace while living in willful rebellion.

Christianity is not merely learning the language of Jesus, admiring the teachings of Jesus, attending gatherings about Jesus, or attaching His name to our lives. The Gospel calls us to Christ Himself.

Do I merely know Christianity, or do I know the Christ Christianity proclaims?