“And you- who once were alienated from God by evil deeds- he has now reconciled you by Christ’s physical body by death, in order to present you holy and blameless and free from accusation before God.” Colossians 1:21-22
The answer can be summed up in one word: GOSPEL.
Though we deserve eternal punishment & separation from God due to our sin, we are offered eternal life & fellowship with God through faith in the death & resurrection of Jesus Christ.
RELIGION: My relationship with God is based on my performance for Him.
THE GOSPEL: My relationship w God is based on Christ’s performance on my behalf on the cross.
RELIGION: “I obey-therefore I’m accepted by God.”
THE GOSPEL: “I’m accepted by God through Christ-therefore I obey God.”
RELIGION: Motivation is based on fear and insecurity. “I hope I’ve done enough to earn his favor.”
THE GOSPEL: Motivation is based on grateful joy. “Thank you, Jesus, for placing God’s favor on me.”
RELIGION: I obey God in order to get things from Him.
THE GOSPEL: I obey God because I love Him and delight in Him.
RELIGION: “I think a lot about what I’ve done FOR God. I’m a very moral person.”
THE GOSPEL: “I think a lot about what I’ve done TO God. I’m a humbled person because I see that I don’t deserve the love He has given me through Christ.”
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