I want to share these notes from our last service, “If you’re yoked to religion, you will not bear fruit nor have a transformed heart and mind. In this mindset, occurs a constant cycle, no matter how much one tries to change their circumstances. When a person is yoked to Jesus, transformation occurs and out of that abundance for the love of God, your identity and actions begin to change. Salvation is not earned. It is freely given as you are.”

Salvation is not earned by works, by showing up to church every Sunday, singing the songs, or looking the part. It’s about true repentance and a relationship with Jesus, a life that is filled with faith and steadfast prayer. I personally have encountered many people in my own life that told me, I’ll accept Jesus in my heart once I clean myself up and stop allowing certain things in my life. This is huge lie that the enemy puts into our minds. Jesus wants to know you, just as you are and as we get to know Jesus, our spirit begins to desire the change we worked so long and hard to accomplish, but each time, failed to achieve. Many people believe that if they check every religious box available to be in right standing with God, that they will be saved. This kind of thinking takes a relationship with Jesus completely out of the equation and therefore begins a self-made religion.

In Matthew 6, the tendency to display religious acts for recognition rather than genuine devotion to God is addressed. In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus talks about the “wide gate” that leads to destruction and the “narrow gate” that leads to life. The wide gate can be viewed as the popular and easy path, while the narrow gate is often seen as challenging and requiring dedication. It may demand sacrifices for growth, but this path is the only true path that leads to Jesus. Surrender isn’t always an easy thing to do in terms of our flesh, which is why so many people choose the wide gate thinking by doing a religious lifestyle and/or simply believing in God, that their soul is safe. This is by far one of the biggest deceptions the world faces in regard to salvation.

No amount of self-reliance of creating and following a set of standards will earn God’s favor and place in Heaven. Only accepting Jesus and his free gift of salvation will set you free in order to experience the unconditional love and forgiveness he offers each and every one of us. I promise you friend, this kind of thinking only leads to a broken, empty, and dry season in your life and that season can last for a very long time if a heart and mind isn’t set on Jesus. Before my walk with God, I repeated this mistake many times and it led to my spiritual barrenness. The grace Jesus offers is unmerited favor and love not earned by good works or good standing. It’s offered by putting our faith in him. His precious blood covers our sins in order to be in unity with him. It offers us redemption and the opportunity for sanctification. You are not your short-comings and Jesus wants nothing more than to know you personally and intimately. If you have been trying to walk accordingly, but feel Jesus is lacking in your life and you desire a true change, you can repeat this prayer:

“Dear Lord Jesus, I am a sinner in need of a Savior. I believe you died on the cross for my sins and rose again. I ask for forgiveness for my sins. I have decided to turn from a life of sin and invite you to come into my heart and into my life. I want to follow you as my Lord and Savior. Walk with me from this point forward so I can truly live for you. Amen.”

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