Some of My Notes

...some of my notes from the last web series video in the "Dead Without You" series called "Rubber Meets Road." View the full message at claritylife.org. (sorry for the wrong lettering and numbering)

1. Religion is the enemy of the gospel....
2. Religion says I obey, therefore I am accepted. Gospel says I am accepted, therefore I obey. Both are trying to conform to the life of Christ, but for two utterly different reasons. They can look very similar.
3. Four distinct differences...

1. How they react to suffering

1. Religion- I must have messed up. Or God owes me, After all, I’m a good tax payer.
2. Gospel- God is allowing this, but I trust Him to work it for good. This is not my home.

1. How they react to criticism

1. Religion- As a religious person I must think of myself as a good person, because after all, I am earning salvation. So criticism hits me hard and personally attacks my effort.
2. Gospel- I am imperfect yet made perfect through Christ. Yes, I stink, but in him, I don’t, and neither do you so lets go.

1. Who’s in control

1. Religion- I am earning this through hard work therefore I have my rights. God can only ask so much of me, after all, this is my life.
2. Gospel- If this gospel is really true, I lose all my rights in him, while gaining a kingly inheritance at the same time, and God can ask anything of me at all!

1. How they view others

1. Religion- Acceptance is based solely on how hard I work, therefore, I must look down on the those I perceive as lazy and/or ineffective. There is an identity factor I’m looking for, maybe rich, maybe good looking, maybe having perfect doctrine or the perfect ideas, maybe being the best, etc. I scoff at all those beneath me.
2. Gospel- Since this is acceptance is a free gift I could never earn, I offer it to others freely without disdain or disapproval.

1. Accept that you are accepted and then work as one who has been given all things freely unto the one who gave it to you!
(Thankful for ideas borrowed from Tim Keller)