There Are Just Two Religions In The Entire World

 

In all the world, there are really only just two religions. Yes, that’s what I said, only two… God’s and man’s. God’s religion is revealed in the Holy Bible and nowhere else:

 

“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” [Psalms 19:7]

 

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” [2 Timothy 3:16]

 

“God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar” [Romans 3:4]

 

Man’s religion is his own invention:

 

“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.” [Proverbs 21:2]

 

“For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” [Romans 10:2-3]

 

God’s religion is very different from man’s religion, which makes it possible to tell God’s religion from the inventions and ideas of man:

 

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” [Isaiah 55:8-9]

 

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” [Proverbs 14:12]

 

God’s religion is a salvation program based on grace alone:

 

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” [Ephesians 2:8-9]

 

“And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace.” [Romans 11:6]

 

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” [Titus 3:5]

 

Man’s religion is a salvation program based on human effort, be it good deeds, prayers, sacrifices, sacraments, religious rituals, pilgrimages or whatever:

 

“But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” [Matthew 15:7-9]

 

“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” [Galatians 2:16]

 

Man is attempting to get to heaven or some higher level of consciousness by his own sin-tainted works, which the Bible calls filthy rags:

 

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” [Isaiah 64:6]

 

Man, by trying to earn his salvation is in effect trying to climb a mountain as if it was an anthill or trying to swim across the ocean as if it was a bathtub. He is doomed to failure and yet he thinks the road is easy, but that is because he is on the wrong road:

 

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” [Matthew 7:13-14]

 

The wide road leading to destruction consists of all the works-based religious systems that man has invented. The narrow road leading to eternal life in heaven is the salvation plan of God based on God’s grace and mercy. Man, because of his sin nature, is doomed to hell from birth and yet he thinks he is OK with God:

 

“The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.” [Psalm 58:3]

 

“And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” [Genesis 6:5]

 

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” [Jeremiah 17:9]

 

Man thinks that God compares him to other sinful men like himself, not realizing that God demands perfect obedience, all the time:

 

“For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” [2 Corinthians 10:12]

 

“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” [Matthew 5:48]

 

“Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” [1 Peter 1:16]

 

Man may be satisfied with a salvation program based on human effort but God is not satisfied:

 

“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” [James 2:10]

 

God is holy and He hates sin as much as He loves righteousness:

 

“The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.” [Psalm 11:5-7]

 

God is not satisfied with anything but the work of Christ on the cross at Calvary:

 

“I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.” [Isaiah 43:11]

 

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” [1Corinthians 1:18]

 

Grace is the unmerited and unearned favor of God. Even though we are hopelessly lost, hell-deserving sinners, God has provided a way to escape the coming wrath:

 

“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” [Romans 5:6]

 

“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” [Romans 5:19]

 

“Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” [Romans 5:9]

 

The salvation that God provides is at a great cost to God. He had to leave His throne in heaven and be crucified for the sins of those He came to save:

 

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” [Hebrews 2:9]

 

“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation” [Hebrews 2:3]

 

God graciously grants salvation to whomever He wishes, even though none deserve it:

 

 

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” [Romans 3:10]

 

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” [Romans 3:23]

 

“Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.” [Psalms 85:7]

 

God does not owe heaven to anyone. He does not have to grant forgiveness to anyone nor does He have to allow anyone to spend eternity in glory with Him. God does what He pleases:

 

“For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion” [Romans 9:15]

 

Even though everyone deserves to spend eternity in hell for their sins, God has elected (decided) to save some, a remnant:

 

“Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.” [Romans 11:5]

“For many are called, but few are chosen.” [Matthew 22:14]

 

Cry out to God today, that He might be gracious to YOU and save YOU from the coming wrath!

 

“Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near” [Isaiah 55:6]

 

If you are involved in a religion of works flee to Christ, and Him alone for safety – for salvation from the eternal punishment due to you for your sins.