Christianity... Religion... what's the difference?


Most people see them as one in the same.
In fact, they are not.


I looked up the two words in the American Heritage Dictionary New College Edition, and the definitions are as follows:



The difference is obvious.
The first one is derived from God himself, and is simply reflected off of man, back to God.
The second is mans' opinions and feelings toward what or whom he chooses to worship.



Okay, so what does God want with ME?

First, you have to come to the point where we realize that God does love you.
He wants all of you, too. Not just your best characters. John 3:16 says:
"For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life."

In John 10:10 it says:
"I am come that they might have life, and they might have it more abundantly."

His main goal is to have you for His child. God is not out to get you for what you have done wrong.



I haven't done much wrong. In fact I'm a pretty good person!

One sin in a lifetime is all it takes to separate us from God's love. Even if by some remote chance, you could escape doing anything wrong for your entire life, you would still fall short, because you have Adam's sinful blood running through your veins.

Romans 3:23 says:
"For all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God."




What exactly is the definition of sin?

Sin is wrongdoing… with your tongue, or actions, or even thoughts.
It is the actual act of falling short of God's purpose for our lives.
And when we do wrong, we have to pay for it.

Romans 6:23 says:
"For the wage of sin is death,
but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Our sin has cut us off from God. It leaves us empty, and needing to fill that void with something.



So why can't religion fill that void?

Because it is man's attempt to reach God via mans means. Traditionalism won't get us to Christ. Nor will good works. Nothing man can do can cross the vast expanse between sin and God.

This is why God had to sacrifice his own Son. "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

Christ is the way. He is the ONLY way. John 14:6 says "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

Everyone is condemned to die, and spend eternity in everlasting Hell. Not a pretty thought. In fact it makes chills crawl up my spine to think of what was awaiting me.

BUT because of God's loving sacrifice of His most precious possession… His only Son

...there is a way to reach Him.



What do I have to do?
  1. Admit you are a sinner. Romans 3:10 says "There is none righteous, no not one."
  2. Confess your sin to God. I John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
  3. Repent (turn away) from your sin. Mark 1:15 "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe the gospel."
  4. Believe in Him. "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:31
  5. Receive Him. John 1:12 "But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the children of God, even to them that believe on his name"

This is all there is to it.


Admit, Confess, Repent, Believe, and Receive.




If you are not quite certain how to pray, then you can follow this prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, I admit I am a sinner. I confess that I have sinned against You
and your Word. I repent to you and you alone my sins, and ask that you forgive me
for them. I believe that You sacrificed your only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for
my sin. I now choose through you to turn from my wicked ways, and follow You.

I thank you for calling me to be your child, and I receive you now as my Lord and Savior.
I give you my life, the good and the bad. I give you myself, such as I am, realizing
that only YOU could bridge the gap between my sinful self and You.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for dying on the cross for me and thank you for the pardon
You offer. Thank you for hearing my prayer.

In Jesus' precious name,
Amen.




If you prayed to God this prayer, then you are now His child. You now can experience real Christianity, and you now have the precious gift of eternal life. You belong to Him, and are in His family.

II Corinthians 5:17 says, " If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away. Behold, all things are become new."



Always remember who you are. You are God's child.
I John 5:11-13 says, "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God."





WHAT DO I DO NOW?

If you prayed the above prayer, and have accepted Jesus Christ into your heart, you are a new baby christian. Just like a new earthly baby, you have basic needs that must be met in order to develop properly. To see what those needs are, proceed to:
WHAT NOW?


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