Get God's Free Gift Of Eternal Life: God Didn't Come Up With Religion, Satan Did

God Didn't Come Up With Religion, Satan Did

James 1:27, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”

The world “religion” is mentioned 5 times in the New Testament, none in the Old Testament. Yet we see plenty of false religion throughout both the Old and New Testaments. I like what Pastor Al Lacy (1933-2016) said:

“Religious people go to Hell; Saved people go to Heaven. Don't ever blame religion on God. He didn't come up with it, Satan did. Religion is of the Devil; Salvation is of the Lord.” —Pastor Al Lacy, “No Unbelievers In Hell.”

Bravo Dr. Lacy! Religion never saved anybody. Religion says: “Let me show you the way,” but Jesus said in John 14:6b: “I am the way.” Salvation is not found in any religion, but in a person—the Lord Jesus Christ! Religion wants to fit everyone with glasses, but Jesus wants to open our eyes...

Luke 24:44-47, “And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

Jesus promised that when He died and raised up, and ascended into Heaven, that He would send the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide, comfort, rebuke and teach us...

John 14:26, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

John 16:13, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

My father use to say: “Religion is the worst thing that ever happened to this world.” Dad was right! God did not create religion, humanity did. Religion is man's vain attempt to reach God though human commitment and sacrifice, but Christianity is God trying to reach humanity through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son on Calvary's cruel cross.

The Bible has nothing good to say about religion. Our text passages from James 1:27 is neutral. We must differentiate between religion and Christianity. I like what Pastor J. Vernon McGee (1904-1988) used to often say: “Too many people have churchianity without Christianity.” The Bible says that “pure religion” is to live a life of service to OTHERS, helping the less fortunate. But please do not make the fatal mistake of mistaking religion for the new birth.

In Matthew 7:21-23 we find a group of religious people. They are now standing before Christ on Judgment Day in eternity. They have a false sense of security, proud of their earthly accomplishment for Christ. They boasted of their “many wonderful works” all done in Jesus' name. They boasted that they “prophesied” (preached) everywhere they went in Jesus' name. They even bragged that they had allegedly “cast out devils” in Jesus' name. They called Him: “Lord, Lord” (there's your Lordship Salvation in the Bible). Satan's greatest weapon is to con people into living the Christian life without ever being born again. That is exactly what happened to this unfortunate group in Matthew 7:21-23. Jesus tells us in verse 21 what they did wrong—they failed to do the Father's will, which according to John 6:40 is to solely BELIEVE ON JESUS. It's not DO, it's DONE, the great transaction's done!

My Notes From Dr. Al Lacy's King James Bible Seminar

Dear reader, no amount of religious fervor, zeal, dedication or sacrifice can atone for your sins. Jesus warned in John 3:3b, “Ye must be born again.” Religion cannot produce the new birth. Only faith in the 'GOOD NEWS' (Gospel) of Jesus Christ crucified, buried and risen the third day can accomplish that (1st Corinthians 15:1-4). All God requires is that you simply BELIEVE Jesus did it all for you.

There are an estimated 4,200 different religions in the world, and none of them can get your to Heaven. YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN!!! Jesus said in John 8:32 and 36, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ...If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” Someone once asked me to sum up the Bible in as few words as possible, which was easy; just one word—TRUTH. John 17:17, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” Jesus told Pilate in John 18:37b that the reason for which He came into the world was to “bear witness unto the truth.” The truth is very important.

I have seen hundreds of interviews of celebrities; such as, Hugh Hefner, Frank Sinatra, Gene Roddenberry and countless other famous and wealthy people, who nearly all made mention that religion is often the historical cause of wars, famine and human tragedy. Sadly, they are correct. But they are looking at sordid truth of RELIGION, not the righteous truth of Bible CHRISTIANITY. The two different things are worlds apart. Religion is a curse upon the human race. When I share the Gospel of free grace with lost people, I often need to explain to them that Bible truth is not the same thing as manmade religion. Most people don't see a distinction.

In Acts chapter 10 we read about a good man named Cornelius. The Bible says that Cornelius was a good man who feared God. He fasted, prayed and gave alms (donations) to the poor the Bible says. Yet, Cornelius was as lost as the Devil. The Lord arranged for Cornelius and the Apostle Peter to meet, and they did. In Acts 10:43-44 we see the wonderful conversion of Cornelius and his friends. Peter preached the Gospel and they simply believed what they heard. That is the simplicity that is in Christ.

Galatians 3:2, “This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” I love what the Apostle Paul said. He wanted to know how the Galatians had been saved, to determine if they were saved at all. Paul asked them if they were saved BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW (by which no man has ever been saved - Romans 3:19-20); or had they been saved BY THE HEARING OF FAITH (i.e., did they simply believe the 'GOOD NEWS' when they heard it preached)? It is that easy, free and simple to be saved.

Anyone who complicates God's simple plan of salvation, by telling you the lie that you must turn away from your sinful bad habits and perpetually turn from sin, is a false teacher. That is 100% WORKS, not GRACE! Who teaches that garbage you might ask? Ray Comfort does!

You may attend church faithfully your whole life. You can be a church deacon, or even the pastor himself. You can partake of all the sacraments, give most of your earnings to the church, live a pure and morally upright life, love and help multitudes of less fortunate people throughout your lifetime; and yet split Hell wide open when you breathe your final breath here on earth. YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN!!!

Life Changing MP3 Sermons by Pastor Al Lacy...

Mr. and Mrs. Al Lacy

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We're Saved By God's Righteousness, Not Ours

Before salvation we are known by our sins, but after salvation we are identified with the righteousness of Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ took all our sin at the cross and now we have the privilege to have His righteous record placed on our account by childlike faith!

Enjoying The Journey Daily Broadcast

Repentance unto salvation is turning to Jesus, not turning from sins.

Sneaking "Works" Through The Back Door Versus Free Grace Forever (This Will Step On Toes)

Repent of sins is NOT part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Inspiring Preacher Quotes

“The law tells me how crooked I am. Grace comes along and straightens me out.” —Evangelist Billy Sunday (1862-1935)

“I never thought, I'd see a day when Baptist preachers would not preach the true Gospel. Tonight, all across this nation, Baptist preachers have succumbed to the heresy of John MacArthur. I said the heresy of John MacArthur! I said the heresy of John MacArthur! And somebody that's got several thousand people to hear 'em, who can go across this country, has got to alert Baptists that we have false teachers in our midst who are no longer teaching and preaching salvation by grace through faith plus nothing. Folks, we're fighting for our lives tonight!” —Pastor Jack Hyles, "A Vote For Preaching"

“The ‘whosoever wills’ are the elect and the ‘whosoever won’ts,’ the non-elect.” —Pastor Dwight L. Moody (1837-1899)

“Salvation is one thing and service is another, and never the two goes together. No man is saved because he serves, and no man has to serve because he is saved. Gotta keep them separate. And if you don't do it, the Scriptures will be confusing to you. You'll not rightly divide what God has to say.” —Pastor Ralph Yankee Arnold, "Why Lordship Salvation Is Wrong"

“It is 'Good News' if no one must have good works before salvation, or after salvation. For salvation to truly be by grace, it must not have any stipulations of any kind at any time. Works before, during or after; works cannot be evidence of my salvation.” —Pastor Ralph Yankee Arnold, "Does Calvinism Change The Gospel?"

"The LAW and the GOSPEL are two keys—the law is the key that shuteth up all men under condemnation, and the Gospel is the key which opens the door and lets them out. Remember this, if you're depending upon your own good works to get you to Heaven, you're lost! Your salvation had to be purchased with something that was incorruptible, with the precious blood of Jesus Christ!” —Pastor Ralph 'Yankee' Arnold, Bibleline Radio Show, "The Precious Blood Of Christ"

“Works cannot be the evidence of salvation. If works are required as evidence, then they will prove that you are not saved. Your good works cannot prove you're saved; they can only prove that you're not, if you go by works. Why? Because you have to be perfect. So your works can only prove you're not saved. You have to live a perfect life. 'Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.' You have to fulfill everything that is commanded, that you have to do them. You know that good works did not save you!” —Pastor Ralph Yankee Arnold, "Once Saved Always Saved: The Final Word"

“If all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, then why would you use those rags to prove that you're saved?” —Pastor Ralph 'Yankee' Arnold, sermon quote: "How Do I Know God Really Loves Me? - Part 2"

“The mistake the church has made, is we have taught people how to quote Scriptures, we haven't taught people how to love people!” —Pastor John K. Jenkins Sr. (a beautiful quote from the sermon titled: "Developing A Process of Evangelism To Reach The Lost With The Gospel"

“May I ask you, reader, 'Are you a soulwinner?' Remember that a soulwinner is a salvager—one who leads a sinner to choose Christ and one who leads a saint to choose the will of God, the work of God and the plan of God.” ―Pastor Jack Hyles, "What Is Salvation?"

“Redemption is a work of God the Son. Regeneration is the work of God the Holy Spirit. Justification is the work of God the Father as He declares the sinner righteous in the Son. Conversion then becomes the work of the church as we change the use and purpose of a life.” ―Pastor Jack Hyles, "Conversion And Salvation" (chapter 3) from his book: "Salvation Is More Than Being Saved"

“If you do not put a difference between justification wrought by the man Christ without and sanctification wrought by the Spirit of Christ within, you are not able to divide the Word aright; but contrariwise, you corrupt the Word of God, and cast stumbling blocks before the people.” —Evangelist John Bunyan (1628-1688)

“I'm as happy as a June Bug on the 31st of May!” —Pastor Jack Hyles, "The Rapture Comes Before Armageddon"

“Many people are finding the broad way, because they listen to the wrong message. There is few that find the truth. And what's the difference between true Christianity, and all the religions of the world? If it's by Christ alone, it's GRACE. If you have anything to do with it, it's WORKS. And God says, 'For by Grace (Christ) are ye saved, and that not of yourselves (that would be works), it is the gift of God (not of works), lest any man should boast. So any person who depends upon themselves, can always lose their salvation. Check it out! Anybody who teaches you can lose it, it's because their salvation depends upon their works. That's them! That's works! If I depend upon Him, that's grace! I'm saved by grace, Christ. You don't earn it! You don't work for it. 'For by grace are ye saved through faith, that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.' Salvation is the gift of God!” —Pastor Ralph "Yankee" Arnold, a quote from the sermon titled: "The Damnable Doctrine Of The Devil"

“The pastors have destroyed the churches, and they've been trained by people that have never built churches, and they have no compassion.” —Pastor Jack Hyles, "Many Pastors Have Destroyed My Vineyard"

“America needs preaching!” —Pastor Jack Hyles, "Many Pastors Have Destroyed My Vineyard"

“Let God have your life; He can do more with it than you can.” —Dwight L. Moody

"Salvation is not doing your best, it is having Christ's best put to your account through receiving Him by faith.” —Pastor Max Younce

God will not save anyone who is trying to be saved, He will only save those who are trusting to be saved.

“The darker the night the brighter the stars.” —Pastor Bob Gray Sr.,“She Sojourned Seven Years”

Without Christ you have a hopeless end; with Christ you have an endless hope (Titus 1:2).

The false teaching of "Lordship Salvation" is not the SAME as "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:30-31).

Religion is man trying to reach God through human effort, but Christianity is God trying to reach man by the sacrifice of His only begotten Son on the cross.

“Now you listen to me folks! We're living in a world of compromising Christianity. I call it, 'The yuppie generation building yuppie churches!' Brother, we need the old-time Gospel, the old-time religion, the faith of our fathers, and the standards that America used to have!” —Pastor Jack Hyles, a quote from the sermon, “She Sojourned Seven Years”

“Every word in this Bible is inspired by God almighty!” —Dr. Jack Hyles, a quote from the sermon, “A Friend At Midnight”

“A man doesn't get better to get saved; he gets saved to get better.” —Pastor Curtis Hutson (1934-1995), “Salvation Crystal Clear”

“The greatest enemy you have is a church that doesn't teach the Bible!” —Pastor Max D. Younce, “#1 Salvation THROUGH The Blood”

“Lordship Salvation is the unsupportable and unbiblical belief that the performance of good works, the promise of good works, or the evidence of good works, must accompany faith in Christ to establish or provide evidence that such faith has resulted in eternal life.” —Pastor Ralph Yankee Arnold, “Jesus Versus John MacArthur”

“If you're not being persecuted, you're not living right!” —Pastor Danny Castle, “How To Behave In Perilous Times”

“You know what you need to do with your life? You need to get on the ball and take as many people out of here to Heaven with you as you can possibly round up. That's what you need to do.” —Pastor Danny Castle, “How To Behave In Perilous Times”

“God had no children too weak, but a great many too strong to make use of.” —Pastor Dwight L. Moody (1836-1899)

“More people will die and burn in Hell, because they're trusting too much!” —Pastor Jack Hyles, a precious quote from the MP3 sermon, “Yea, Yea, And Nay, Nay!”

“Everything that's hard and complicated about salvation is God's side of it!” —Pastor Jack Hyles, a precious quote from the MP3 sermon, “Yea, Yea, And Nay, Nay!”

The true Gospel always points you to CHRIST; a false gospel always points to YOU.

Salvation is not a reward for the righteous, it is a gift for the guilty!

“See, when you trusted Christ, He delivered you from the PENALTY [of sin]. You never have to pay for it again. Now that you are saved, He wants to save you from the very POWER of sin in your life. And then one day, He's going to deliver us from the very PRESENCE of sin.” —Pastor Ralph Yankee Arnold, “Sanctification Explained”

“We ought to realize our standing with God as sons and daughters. He will not "un-child" His children. God has not only adopted us, but we are His by birth; we have been born into His kingdom. The children of God are not perfect, but we are perfectly His children.” —Pastor Dwight L. Moody

Bible repentance is a change of mind from denying THE TRUTH “to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will” (2nd Timothy 2:25-26).

“Faith without works is DEAD FAITH; and works without faith is DEAD WORKS.” —Pastor Steven Anderson, “Repentance And Faith”

“Which comes first, repentance or faith? In Scripture we read, 'Repent ye, and believe the gospel.' Yet we find true believers exhorted to 'repent, and do the first works.' So intimately are the two related that you cannot have one without the other. The man who believes God repents; the repentant soul puts his trust in the Lord when the Gospel is revealed to him. Theologians may wrangle over this, but the fact is, no man repents until the Holy Spirit produces repentance in his soul through the truth. No man believes the Gospel and rests in it for his own salvation until he has judged himself as a needy sinner before God. And this is repentance.” (Except Ye Repent, p. 16)

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God Didn't Come Up With Religion, Satan Did

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