What is the difference between Religion and the Gospel?
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In short, religion is about ritual; the Gospel is about knowing God.
Simple enough, isn’t it?
Depending on your experience in life and what you know about relationships it will determine how easy it will be for you to grasp the difference between knowing about God and knowing God.
“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.”[1]
The above scripture shows quite clearly the difference between the two states of religion and the Gospel.
The Priest and the Levite lived through the law and ritual – they knew about God. They knew their religious rules did not allow them to touch someone thinking about the Mosaic Law’s concerns with purity. If they touched the man, and he died, they would be unclean (and unable to perform their duties) for a week.[2]
The Samaritan, who was not of the Jewish religion and considered a pagan by the Jews, displayed a vital characteristic of God – love and compassion for his fellow humans. He knew God from within.
You doubtless understand what it means to know about God. But let me give you an example. Someone who refers to themselves as being an atheist (the most straightforward translation is not believing in any god.) goes to university and gets a degree in theological studies. That person emerges from their studies as knowing all about God but not believing God exists. This situation is very possible in reality. Many souls who attend bible studies and church services, like the priest and Levite in the above parable, believe there is a God and follow God’s laws and religious rituals. Still, they see the laws and traditions as more important than loving their fellow humans. They believe God is real but do not behave like God.
So, what does ‘knowing’ God mean?
Let us first look at the importance of ‘knowing God.’
“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”[3]
Do you want to live forever? Then look no further – know God!
Let me share another exciting scripture with you:
“…he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”
You all know the parable of the of the ten virgins. All ten knew about God (The meaning of Virgins). Five had oil in their lamps. (Lamps filled with oil signify a relationship with God.) Jesus never ‘knew’ the five foolish because they never knew Him, so they were excluded from His marriage feast.
What is the experience of knowing God like?
“Knowing God means recognizing His voice, being well-acquainted with His ways, discerning His sovereign will, and being fully assured of His perfect character. It comes from walking through life with God, thinking of him, talking to him, and worshipping him. It means progressively getting to know His Heart as we hear His voice, hear His Word, feel His presence, and see what He wishes to show us.”[4]
The word ‘know’ in the New Testament has many connotations. When the Angel told Mary she was pregnant, her response was, “…I do not know a man.”[5] Jesus said, “…that they know you.”[6] Regarding knowing God, Bible scholars don’t all agree about the meaning of the Greek root words. So, what if our relationship with God should have the same degree of intimate feeling as that of the human marital relationship? Oops, do I hear you choking? I don’t mean in a physical sense (as God is a Spirit anyway) but in the desire of our hearts for God.
Knowing God is a close and intimate relationship. No human can give it to you.
Love and Blessings
Peter-James
[1] Luke 10:25 Context: Behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (biblehub.com) [2] Numbers 19 BSB (biblehub.com) Vs 11 [3] John 17:3 Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. (biblehub.com) [4] what does knowing god mean – Search (bing.com) [5] mary said I have not known a man – Search (bing.com) [6] John 17:3 Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. (biblehub.com)