Romans 14:13-23 "By His Grace, For His Glory"
Religion Needs to Go!
Christians should be sick of religion!
Religion is man’s effort to reach God.
Religion has produced:
- Petty people.
- Religious slogans without substance.
- Hard-hearted legalists without compassion.
- Churches full of hypocrites.
- People in bondage.
Christianity is not religion at all.
Christianity is a relationship.
Christianity means that we are joined together with God in a vital union and together with His church.
The Nature of the Kingdom (17)
Why is it that we substitute for a relationship with God?
The central truth of this passage (17): The Kingdom of God is not revealed simply in what you do, but in what you are.
Externals can reflect what is going on inside. But, while the external can reflect the internal, it can also mislead us.
Righteousness – not perfection – but of right standing with God.
When we accept the finished work of Christ on the Cross, we are justified by faith.
Being justified by faith makes us right with God.
Peace – peace of God – peace with God.
Joy – those who truly know Jesus ought to be excited about their relationship with Him.
The Nature of Kingdom Living (13-23)
Keys to a fulfilled life:
- Stop judging. Act in love toward one another. (13-18)
- Pursue peace and edification of one another. (19-21)
- Live by faith. (22-23)
Living in relationship to Jesus means that we:
- Seek His will in all that we do.
- Commune with Him in prayer.
- Study His Word for ourselves.
- Listen to the Preaching of His Word.
- Interact with other Christians.
We don’t need religion, but a relationship with God.
The greatest lack I see in the Church today is that people aren’t truly in love with Jesus.
Perhaps you’ve lost your First Love – Come back to Him.
Maybe you do not know Him. You cannot love one whom you have not known.
