Happy New Year!

How do you tell the religious from the gospel-driven? Both are in the church and yet some are religious whereas others are gospel-driven. How do you tell them apart? More importantly, how do you know to which camp you belong? This is of utmost importance because one is saved and the other is not.

At first look, they seem very similar. Both come to church. Both read the Bible zealously. Both give tithes and offerings. Both go on mission trips. Both pray. Then, what is the difference?

It’s how they pursue righteousness. The religious pursue righteousness depending on themselves. The gospel-driven pursue righteousness depending on the finished work of Christ.

“.. Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works.” Romans 9:31. 

The religious wanted to be right with God. The desire was there. But they did so depending on their own good works. They were going to earn their good standing with God. This will not do. This will not lead to salvation.

The gospel-driven also want to be right with God. But they know that their best foot forward won’t ever be good enough. They recognize the enormity of their sin and the only way to a right standing with God is by a way that God has provided. It is pursuing God depending on the finished work of Christ.

But notice that they both pursue righteousness. If you are not pursuing righteousness, then you are neither religious nor gospel-driven. You are just worldly. But if we are pursuing righteousness through our own effort, then we are no different than the worldly. We must pursue righteousness depending on the work of Christ.

Heaven is the goal for the religious. Intimacy with Christ is the goal for the gospel-driven.

PH