City of God Church: Lafayette, IN

The Difference Between Religion and the Gospel

What is the difference between the Gospel and Religion?

1. Religion says God will not love me until I obey his rules. The Gospel says Jesus loves us so that we might obey Him.

2. Religion says the world is filled with good people and bad people. The Gospel says the world is filled with repentant sinners and unrepentant sinners.

3. Religion is about what you do. The Gospel is about where you're growing.

4. Religion is about getting from God. The Gospel is about getting God.

5. Religion says suffering is unloving punishment. The Gospel says suffering is sanctifying discipline.

6. Religion is about you. The Gospel is about others.

7. Religion says how one appears on the outside is important. The Gospel says how one appears on the inside before God is important.

8. Because religion is about what you do you lack assurance. Because the Gospel is about what Jesus has done we have assurance that we're right with God.

9. Religion leads to pride or despair. The Gospel brings peace.

10. Religion says the solution is self-righteousness. The Gospel says the solution is gift-righteousness.

Adapted from Mark Driscoll, Death by Love, p. 90-107