Religion is a construct of man. Follow these rules, and you’re good. Don’t follow, and you’re bad. That’s what laws try to do. If you drive the speed limit you won’t get pulled over by the cops, you won’t get a huge fine, and your insurance won’t go up because you have a violation on your record.
Where in the law does it say, “Nice job, we’re giving you a pass.”? Nowhere. The police don’t make it a practice of pulling you over to tell you “thanks for coming to a full stop at that four-way stop. Here’s a gift certificate for groceries.” Doesn’t happen.
The good news (that’s what “gospel” means: “good news”) is that Jesus isn’t some supernatural police officer. He doesn’t sit there watching and waiting for you to violate His law. “Hey, do you know why I pulled you out of life? You were coveting your neighbor’s car!” Instead, He simply wants you to believe in Him.
Imagine if you could pre-pay traffic violations. I hear it’s possible in some of the Western states. You buy a coupon book, the cops pull you over for thirty-over, you tear out enough pre-paid certificates, and you’re on your way. They do that because there could be a hundred miles between “here” and “there,” and nobody drives the speed limit anyway. It saves time and hassle for both the driver and the cop.
The Law of Moses (Ten Commandments) could only tell you when you did wrong. The rules state that the wages of sin (doing something against God’s commands) is eternal separation from God – in other words, Hell. But Jesus is your coupon book, bought and paid, and available for the asking.
Ask Jesus to change your life. You’ll still need the coupons, but He makes them available as needed. That’s faith, not religion.
Imagine someone has paid for all your speeding tickets for the duration of your life. That’s what Jesus paid for – every impure thought, every coveting, adultery, murder, e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g you could ever do wrong.
The reaction someone should have is to love the One who did that. Accept the coupon book of Christ Jesus. Love Him.
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