Today’s mini-sermon is the 7th of a 12-part series on the 9th chapter of John. It will be appearing in the Saturday, Sunday and Thursday additions of the Answers2Prayer newsletters.
“They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. ‘He put mud on my eyes,’ the man replied, ‘and I washed, and now I see.’ Some of the Pharisees said, ‘This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.’ But others asked, ‘How can a sinner do such miraculous signs?’ So they were divided.” (John 9:13-16)
There is a big difference between being religious and being a Christian. Most people confuse the two. The Pharisees were very religious and were very careful to obey every church rule they could think of. But did they know God? Did they follow Jesus? Jesus is clear about this: John 5:42-43: “I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me.”
Being religious is trying to earn heaven by your own efforts, without even knowing God. Being religious leads to persecutions like the Crusades, where religious people pretended to be Christians, without knowing Jesus as their Saviour. Being religious led to concentration camps. Guards were wearing belts with the logo “Gott mit uns”, which means God with us. Yet they certainly didn’t know God’s love in their life. Being religious leads people to hate the sinner and love the sin. How many people have turned their back on trying to get to know God, because “Christians” were criticizing them!
I heard of a person who was taking Bible studies with his wife. Their “Christian” son came home, heard about it and immediately went to the fridge. He cried out loud: “You aren’t saved. You still have things in the fridge that you are not supposed to eat!” Where is God’s love in all this? Being religious drives people away from God. Being religious leads to intolerance. Being religious leads to criticism and fanaticism.
“This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” As if keeping the Sabbath—or for that matter, any religious dogma, will help us reach heaven! How wrong they were! Keeping the Sabbath will not assure your spot in Heaven. You cannot earn your own eternal life, my friend! The Bible is clear on this: John 3:16-17: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
The verse doesn’t say “For God so loved the world that he gave His Sabbath, that whoever keeps it shall have eternal life…” God didn’t say: “For God so loved the world that He gave the church manual…” He didn’t say: “For God so loved the world that He gave you the right to criticize others…” He gave His only Son, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. We can’t save ourselves. God saves us if we let Him and accept His offer. It is by grace that we are saved, not by our own works. Praise to God! Salvation is free!
Now what is being a Christian? Jesus gives a beautiful definition of what a Christian is: Mark 1:17 “’Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’”
A Christian is someone who not only follows Christ but also acts like the One he/she is following. A Christian is someone who has God’s love inside. It is someone who hates sin, but loves the sinner. It is someone who has a personal relationship with Christ. Everything a Christian does is not based on a set of rules, but is based on God’s love. 1 John 4:7-8: “Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
Just like a man who loves his wife he will not look at other women, a Christian will not be immoral. God is guiding him/her. God’s love resides in him/her. Do you have that kind of love in you? It is not too late yet to invite Jesus in your life. Put away any religiosity that leads to criticism and fanaticism. Clothe yourself with God. He will dwell in you and lead you to His truth.
John 16:13: “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth.”
Being religious doesn’t lead to salvation. Only Christ can save you if you allow Him. Will you let Him come into your life?
In His love,
Rob Chaffart
Answers2Prayer Ministries, www.Answers2Prayer.org
(To access the entire “I was Blind, but now I See” mini-series, please click here.)