--Wisdom / Virtue ~~

-----"Religion or Christ?
--[Ephesians 2:1-10]

--"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and that is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God---
not by works, so that no one can boast."--[Ephesians 2:8-9]

--Mary works hard because she wants her boss to recognize her accomplishments and reward her with a higher-paying position. Nancy loves her job and the product her company sells, and out of loyalty she works hard to make the product better.

Mary is like the person who hopes that good works or religion will be rewarded by God someday. Such people count on their good deeds to get them into heaven.

Nancy is a picture of those who have faith in God to get them into heaven. Such people do good works out of gratitude and love for Him.

Someone with religion may believe in God, attend church, say prayers, show kindness, and be seen as a good person. People with religion have many good qualities, but religion is not a substitute for faith in Jesus Christ.

The apostle Paul said that the way of salvation is by grace through faith. It's not of works but is the gift of God. [Ephesians 2:8-9).

The only way to the Father in Heaven is through faith in Jesus (John 14:6).

--Do you choose religion or Christ?
--ODB/AC