A FAITH VS. A RELIGION
Choose Carefully - Christianity Or Churchianity?
-Churchianity "The Religion"
Counterfeit Christianity substitutes good doctrinal teaching with bad traditions, unproductive religious activities, emotionalism, and a bad system of commandment (law) keeping. Churchianity is primarily and wrongly based on the earthly life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth (Matt. 16:24 cf. Eph. 2:16 /read all of both chapters for context). Churchianity places too much emphasis on brick and mortar buildings and empty religious activities. To fix these errors, the first thing they should do is exclusively trust in Jesus' full payment for their sins (Rom. 5:9; 1 Cor 15:14; Eph. 1:13). Secondly, they should progressively grow their individual and collective faith by studying God's word, the Bible (2 Tim. 2:15). Thirdly, they should strive to frequently tell others how to get saved and progressively grow their faith, to the glory of God (1 Tim. 2:3-4). With heavy hearts, we at "ltdministries" are quite aware that some of the most moral, upright, cultured, benevolent, philanthropic, gentle and amiable people you will ever meet, can be found in many of these counterfeit Christian groups. These nice people are in desperate need of good Bible teaching and less superficial preaching (1Cor. 2:4).
Christianity "The Faith"
Today, individuals are not saved by a religious system, an organization, carrying their cross or following after Jesus' earthly ministry. Today individuals are saved entirely by trusting in the completed cross work, the blood of Jesus (1Cor. 1:17-18; Eph. 2:13). Accurate biblical Christianity at its foundation is simply faith in the Bible teaching on "Salvation for today" (1Cor. 15:1-4; Eph. 1:7, 13). Colossians 2:10 clearly states that Believers are "complete" in Christ, nothing is missing. Religion on the other hand is a system of beliefs and practices by which the followers strive to gain God's favor and/or pacify His wrath. Once again, Christianity is not a religion, it is a faith, and this faith has an object, and that object is the finished work by Jesus Christ on mankind's behalf (Rom. 3:24-26; 2Cor 5:21; Eph. 2:8-9, 13; Titus 3:5). Doctrinal Christianity is totally based on biblical truths understood in their correct biblical contexts. It is the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16). To be clearer, doctrinal Christianity is founded on sound teachings which come from studying the Bible, rightly divided (2Tim. 2:15). There is no other Bible doctrine more worthy of standing your biblical ground for than this one (2Cor. 11:3-4; Gal. 1:6-10). If you are wrong on this Bible doctrine, then no other Bible doctrine matters. This Bible doctrine alone is the foundation for every true Christian's profession of having "Salvation today."