Religion—is man’s best attempt to get to God.
Eight Characteristics of the Religious Person:
1) They rely on a Label.
Jew—means a praises or he who praises God!
2) They depend upon Rules and Regulations.
Fact: The law has never saved anybody!
John 5:39-40
3) They believe they have Special Status with God!
Question: Who did God announce Jesus Birth through? The Shepherds!
4) They claim to have a Direct Line to God!
Philippians 1:10 “So that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ…” (NIV)
5) They Maintain a High Moral Standard.
Key: Moral Integrity will not get you to heaven!
Philippians 2:3 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” (NIV)
6) They have a Condescending Attitude toward others.
Billy Graham: “Evangelism is just one beggar telling another beggar where to get bread!”
7) They don’t always Practice what they Preach!
Isaiah 29:13
Two Keys to Remember:
It is not my purpose to make people religious!
Never expect an unbeliever to act like a believer until he is one!
Chuck Swindoll: “Religion is a curse, not a cure!”
8) They Rely on Rituals.
A vow is worthless if there is no commitment behind it!
Galatians 3:29 “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (NIV)
Christianity is not a religion, it is a relationship!
