Religion focuses on rules.
Christianity focuses on relationship.
Religion is commitment to practice.
Christianity is commitment to a Person.
A law-centered life produces despair and pride.
A Christ-centered life produces gratitude and worship.
A legalist seeks to gain favor with God.
A Christian seeks to live for God because Christ alone has placed Him in a favorable position before God.
Religion promotes self.
Christianity promotes Christ.
Religion is focused on "don't do".
Christianity is focused on "Christ did".
Religion seeks praise from others.
Christianity seeks praise for Christ.
A legalist obeys a list.
A Christian simply follows Christ.
Religion is rooted in honoring self and thus bears fruitless branches.
Christianity is rooted in Christ and thus bears the fruit of the Spirit.
Legalism is ultimately selfish and works against the church.
Christianity is ultimately selfless and works with and for the church.
May God be pleased to search our hearts that we may not be religious legalists, but Christ exalting Christians! Do we view the Christian life as a series of road signs telling us what not to do, or do we view Christianity as pointing us to the cross of Jesus Christ telling us what Christ did for us?
Christianity is commitment to a Person.
A law-centered life produces despair and pride.
A Christ-centered life produces gratitude and worship.
A legalist seeks to gain favor with God.
A Christian seeks to live for God because Christ alone has placed Him in a favorable position before God.
Religion promotes self.
Christianity promotes Christ.
Religion is focused on "don't do".
Christianity is focused on "Christ did".
Religion seeks praise from others.
Christianity seeks praise for Christ.
A legalist obeys a list.
A Christian simply follows Christ.
Religion is rooted in honoring self and thus bears fruitless branches.
Christianity is rooted in Christ and thus bears the fruit of the Spirit.
Legalism is ultimately selfish and works against the church.
Christianity is ultimately selfless and works with and for the church.
May God be pleased to search our hearts that we may not be religious legalists, but Christ exalting Christians! Do we view the Christian life as a series of road signs telling us what not to do, or do we view Christianity as pointing us to the cross of Jesus Christ telling us what Christ did for us?
- Pastor Andy
Thank you for linking to me in your blogroll. I appreciate it a lot!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this, Andy -- what a blessed summary of the essentials of our beliefs!
ReplyDeleteSuzanne Bonser
No problem William! Its nice to know of more NCT guys out there!
ReplyDeleteSuzanne,
ReplyDeleteSometimes, its important to just be "simple" and not overly complicate things. I am learning this more and more. I am glad you liked the summary!