Religion vs. the Gospel

I recently listened to a lecture given by Tim Keller on the difference between the gospel and religion. This was my introduction to Mr. Keller and I appreciated what he had to say so thought I would share my notes. I know my notes do not do the lecture justice, but perhaps something in it provides a good reminder. I believe this lecture was given at the Resurgence Conference fall of 2005.

Keller says religion operates on the principle that I obey, and therefore God accepts me where as, the gospel operates on the premise that I am accepted because of what Jesus Christ has done for me, therefore I obey. Luther says the default mode of the human heart is to believe that we are accepted because we obey. Why? Perhaps part of the reason this is so, is that it allows us an illusion of being able to control our lives by what we do rather than accepting the radical grace of Jesus Christ for our salvation. Accepting salvation on the sole basis of God’s grace towards us takes our control totally out of it.

On the surface, you may not see a great difference between those living on the basis of the gospel or those living on the basis of religion. Both are earnestly seeking to obey and honor God, but it is the inward motivation that is drastically different. In religion, I am driven to do all I should out of fear of rejection and/or insecurity. If one accepts the gospel as ones starting point then one does all he/she should in an effort to please, resemble and delight the one who loves us unconditionally.

What we believe effects how we live out our Christian life. If I base my justification on my sanctification and performance then when I sin I am either mad at myself for not living up to what I know I should, or mad at God for not sparing me from myself. As a result, in religion it is absolutely critical that I see myself as a good person. Otherwise, I can have no self esteem because my worth is based on my behavior. In contrast, when one whose beliefs are founded in the Gospel sins, then he/she may struggle, but can ultimately rest in knowing that my punishment, all of it, fell on Jesus and He will exercise His fatherly love in my trial. The gospel affirms that I am more wicked than I ever believed and I am more loved than I could ever imagine. This produces incredible humility and yet a healthy sense of pride, and does not over value or undervalue tradition.