The distinction between Gospel and Religion is actually quite simple...
RELIGION - Obey/do therefore I'm accepted.
GOSPEL - I'm accepted therefore I obey.
Seriously! Every religion in the world has it's rules/laws that must be obeyed in order to, hopefully, be accepted by god.
The Gospel is so powerful in that we are accepted. Period. We don't have to DO anything. We are accepted therefore we obey out of a desire to worship.
A huge example of this is the 10 Commandments. God doesn't give this list of commandments to the people for them to simply obey them to earn His pleasure. Read Exodus 20 - God says "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery." and then goes on to give the 10 Commandments. He's saying: "because I accepted you and freed you from the Egyptians, here's how you can obey me and show me your love."
Posted by tomglass at April 30, 2007 10:16 AM