"Religious Games"

"For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."  Matthew 5:20

So many people are playing games with their soul.  They think if they accumulate enough "religious points" they will make it to heaven.  For example, I was talking with a guy the other day about his salvation.  He told me he had been baptized in water and has the baptismal certificate.  He thought that certificate was his passport to heaven.  He was surprised to find out that it wasn't.  Several years ago I asked a man about his salvation.  His reply was for me to turn on the television on Sunday morning to a particular channel and I would see him singing in the choir.  What?!  Sadly, he really thought that because he attended church and sung in the choir he was on his way to heaven.

Never once in either of these answers did I hear anything about Jesus.  I said earlier that people are playing games with their souls.  They are playing "religious games".  If you think you can earn your way to heaven, if you think you will win in the end just because you have accumulated some "religious brownie points" you are sadly mistaken and deceived.

The Pharisees and scribes were the religious leaders of their day.  They practiced religious rituals.  They taught others the commands of God.  They could quote scripture after scripture.  They were in the temple every time the doors were open.  But Jesus said they would not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 

Our righteousness doesn't save us-- it is like filthy rags.  Our good deeds don't save us-- they are all wood, hay and stubble that will be burned up.  Our religious knowledge doesn't save-- we know only in part.  The ONLY thing that saves us is faith in what Jesus Christ did for us at the cross.  You may think that is a bold statement.  Well, let me ask you something since you may be the one playing games with your soul.  If you have ever played any sort of game whether it is a board game or a field game, are there numerous ways to win?  Or is there only one?  To win you always have to get to the finish line, get around the board, run the bases in order, etc.  So why do we think there are many ways to get to heaven?

In any game there are rules.  In life there are rules.  If you are going to live life you are going to have to follow the rules.  If you are going to heaven, you have to follow the rules that God has established or you will not win/go.

Have a great day.  Are you playing games with your soul?     

For further reading:
Matthew 7:21; 18:3
Isaiah 64:6
Titus 3:5
Ephesians 2:8,9
 

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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell

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