This article will show the difference between religion and salvation and help you to determine whether you have been trusting in something other than Jesus Christ to give you eternal life.

RELIGION is the improvement of the old nature through respect for lofty principles and commandments.

SALVATION is the imparting of a new nature through receiving a Lowly Person.

"As many as received HIM to them gave HE power to become the sons of God" (John 1:12).

RELIGION clothes us with the robes of our own righteousness, which God says "are as filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6).

SALVATION clothes us in the perfect righteousness of Christ, which alone can make us acceptable in the sight of God.

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us" (Titus 3:5).

RELIGION is what man does for God.

SALVATION is what God does for man (Isaiah 53:6).

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:6).

RELIGION says, "Something in my hand I bring."

SALVATION says, "Nothing in my hand I bring."

"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).

RELIGION is trusting in a work we do.

SALVATION is trusting in a work that has been done.

"For this is my blood of the new testament [new covenant], which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Matthew 26:28).

RELIGION depends on our behaving.

SALVATION depends on our believing.

"And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house" (Acts 16:31).

RELIGION says we must act our best.

SALVATION says we must accept God's best.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16)

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him" (vs. 36).

RELIGION depends on the sufficiency of character.

SALVATION depends on the Sacrifice of the Cross.

"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God" (I Corinthians 1:18).

RELIGION tries to furnish a sacrifice.

SALVATION trusts in a finished sacrifice.

"When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost" (John 19:30)

RELIGION is striving for a better attainment.

SALVATION is secured through a perfect atonement.

"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation [way of living] received by tradition from your fathers" (I Peter 1:18, 19).

RELIGION tries to bring us from darkness to light.

SALVATION DOES bring us from Death unto Life.

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life" (John 5:24).

RELIGION says we must be found in God's house.

SALVATION says we must be found in HIM.

"And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith" (Philippians 3:9).

Have you been trusting in something other than Jesus Christ to save you?

~ Adapted from Religion or Salvation? Gospel Tract Harvester 

How Do I Receive Eternal Life?

The Love of God

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