Romans 3:23. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
All religions seek to benefit humanity by addressing various problems and issues in the world. They also attempt to provide answers to life’s realities by offering guidelines for better living. Many emphasize self-awareness, morality, and ethics. However, no religion can resolve the problem of original sin.
Original sin is the fundamental issue that affects everyone, regardless of who they are, what they do, or what they possess. All religions fail to recognize the true source of mankind’s rebellion against God—the devil, who ‘has been sinning from the beginning.’ Sin and the devil are inseparable: ‘The one who does what is sinful is of the devil’ (1 Jn 3:8).
Sin is spiritual separation from God’s glory (Rom 3:23). It is a state of complete disconnection from the Creator of life—a place of death, curse, and hell. In this condition of sin, all people follow ‘the ways of this world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient’ (Eph 2:2).
This is why repenting of one’s personal sins is not enough—one cannot repent of original sin or the sins of past generations. As a result, people remain under the curse of sin, “by nature deserving of wrath” (Eph 2:3), suffering spiritually, mentally, and physically.
All religions teach some form of repentance, but no act of repentance is powerful enough to erase original sin. It’s like a pirate aboard a ship—no matter how noble his actions may seem, everything he does ultimately contributes to piracy. No amount of repentance will change his fate as long as he remains on the ship. The only way to alter his destiny is to leave the ship altogether.
This is why Paul asked some disciples in Ephesus, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” (Ac 19:2). In other words, “Did you receive life?” He explained, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance” (Ac 19:4), realizing that these disciples were only religious without truly knowing the gospel. Religion cannot give life. Without receiving life through Christ, a person remains in a state of death, no matter how religious they may be.
The more a person practices religion, the worse their condition becomes. Jesus illustrated this with the following example: “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation” (Mt 12:43-45).
Religious life is an act of emptying oneself, sweeping clean, and putting things in order. However, this process ultimately invites even more evil spirits. People may notice external changes or experience supernatural powers as they delve deeper into religious practices, but in the end, their condition will worsen—they will be entirely seized by the devil. Their lives will become desolate, and they will end up living as slaves to the devil.
Religious leaders, sorcerers, and false prophets perform miracles and signs through the power of evil spirits, but their end is destruction, and their descendants will suffer from generational curses. The spirit they serve is the thief who comes only to steal, kill, and destroy (Jn 10:10). Since Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14), they are deceived by evil spirits.
Thus, all religious efforts become a burden that Satan forces everyone to carry. There is no rest in religion—everything about it is heavy and difficult. That is why Jesus came as the True Prophet to give us rest from religion. He said, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light”(Mt 11:28-30).
To set us free from the law of sin and death, Jesus, our True Priest, gave His own blood to obtain eternal redemption for us. Because of His sacrifice on the cross, we no longer need religion. And our True King rose from the dead, crushing the head of the one who introduced religion in the first place.
You have been set free from the power of religion through Christ. Do not remain trapped in a religious lifestyle. Instead, transform your religious nature into a life rooted in the gospel of grace. Experience rest, peace, and joy in Christ. And by the power of the gospel, save those still struggling in religion.
Prayer. Father, I thank You for giving me the gospel, not a religion to follow. Transform my religious nature into a “gospel nature.” Help me to fully enjoy my freedom from religion in every circumstance. In Jesus’ name, Amen.