Gordon Duff Sr. Facebook ad: “THE REASON PEOPLE STAY RELIGIOUS-BUT REMAIN LOST”

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📖 THE REASON PEOPLE STAY RELIGIOUS—BUT REMAIN LOST .......................................... There is a kind of religion that can keep a man busy for years while never bringing him one step nearer to salvation. .......................................... A person may attend church... .......................................... Carry a Bible... .......................................... Sing hymns... .......................................... Give money... .......................................... Pray publicly... .......................................... Speak Christian language... .......................................... Hold a church position... .......................................... Defend religious traditions... .......................................... And still never truly repent, believe the Gospel, or become born again. .......................................... Religion can change a man’s schedule without changing his heart. .......................................... It can improve his appearance without cleansing his conscience. .......................................... It can teach him how to act around Christians without ever bringing him into a living relationship with Jesus Christ. .......................................... It can give him a reputation among men while leaving him unknown before God. .......................................... 📖 2 Timothy 3:5 “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” .......................................... Notice carefully: .......................................... They have a form. .......................................... They have an outward shape. .......................................... They have religious vocabulary. .......................................... They have ceremonies. .......................................... They have customs. .......................................... They may even have impressive moral standards. .......................................... But they deny the power that produces true repentance, holiness, humility, obedience, and spiritual life. .......................................... The greatest danger of false religion is not that it makes a person feel wicked. .......................................... The greatest danger is that it can make a lost person feel safe. .......................................... It gives him enough religion to quiet his conscience... .......................................... Enough Scripture to justify himself... .......................................... Enough morality to compare himself favorably with others... .......................................... Enough church activity to feel accepted... .......................................... But not enough truth received in the heart to bring him to brokenness, repentance, and faith. .......................................... 📖 Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” .......................................... The way seems right. .......................................... That is what makes it so dangerous. .......................................... It feels respectable. .......................................... It appears spiritual. .......................................... Other religious people approve of it. .......................................... Tradition supports it. .......................................... Family history reinforces it. .......................................... But sincerity does not make error into truth. .......................................... Religious effort cannot replace the new birth. .......................................... Church membership cannot replace conversion. .......................................... Water baptism cannot replace repentance and faith. .......................................... Good works cannot erase sin. .......................................... A religious title cannot reconcile a soul to God. .......................................... 📖 John 3:3 “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” .......................................... Jesus spoke these words to Nicodemus. .......................................... Nicodemus was not an atheist. .......................................... He was not openly immoral. .......................................... He was a ruler of the Jews. .......................................... He knew the law. .......................................... He understood religious customs. .......................................... He possessed knowledge, position, discipline, and respectability. .......................................... Yet Jesus did not tell him that he merely needed to become more devoted. .......................................... Jesus told him: .......................................... “Ye must be born again.” .......................................... 📖 John 3:7 “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” .......................................... This is where many religious people stumble. .......................................... They are willing to add Jesus to their life... .......................................... But they do not want Jesus to become Lord over their life. .......................................... They are willing to add church attendance... .......................................... But they do not want to forsake their sin. .......................................... They are willing to learn doctrine... .......................................... But they do not want their heart exposed. .......................................... They are willing to appear righteous... .......................................... But they do not want to admit that their own righteousness cannot save them. .......................................... 📖 Romans 10:3 “For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” .......................................... This is one of the main reasons people stay religious but lost: .......................................... They are trying to establish their own righteousness. .......................................... They trust in what they have done. .......................................... They trust in how long they have attended church. .......................................... They trust in a prayer they repeated without understanding. .......................................... They trust in an emotional experience. .......................................... They trust in their baptism. .......................................... They trust in their denomination. .......................................... They trust in their charitable works. .......................................... They trust in their parents’ faith. .......................................... They trust in their pastor’s approval. .......................................... They trust in the fact that they are not as sinful as someone else. .......................................... But salvation is not found by comparing ourselves with worse sinners. .......................................... Salvation comes when we see ourselves in the light of a holy God. .......................................... 📖 Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” .......................................... 📖 Isaiah 64:6 “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags;” .......................................... Not merely our sins. .......................................... Even our righteousnesses cannot purchase salvation. .......................................... Our best deeds cannot remove one stain of guilt. .......................................... Our religious efforts cannot satisfy divine justice. .......................................... Our morality cannot reverse the sentence of death. .......................................... Only the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse the sinner. .......................................... 📖 1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” .......................................... Another reason people remain religious but lost is pride. .......................................... Religion can become a hiding place for pride. .......................................... A person may enjoy being seen as spiritual. .......................................... He may enjoy teaching others. .......................................... He may enjoy correcting others. .......................................... He may enjoy being praised for his knowledge, discipline, generosity, or church attendance. .......................................... But pride will keep a man from confessing what he truly is. .......................................... Pride does not want to say: .......................................... “I am guilty.” .......................................... “I have sinned against God.” .......................................... “My good works cannot save me.” .......................................... “I need mercy.” .......................................... “I need forgiveness.” .......................................... “I need Christ.” .......................................... 📖 Luke 18:11-14 “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. .......................................... I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. .......................................... And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. .......................................... I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” .......................................... The Pharisee prayed. .......................................... He fasted. .......................................... He tithed. .......................................... He believed in God. .......................................... He lived a disciplined religious life. .......................................... But he trusted in himself. .......................................... 📖 Luke 18:9 “And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:” .......................................... That is the heart of dead religion. .......................................... It trusts in self. .......................................... It compares itself with others. .......................................... It despises those who appear worse. .......................................... It advertises its virtues. .......................................... It hides its corruption. .......................................... It wants recognition instead of reconciliation. .......................................... The publican had nothing to offer but a confession and a cry for mercy. .......................................... Yet he went home justified. .......................................... Why? .......................................... Because God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. .......................................... 📖 James 4:6 “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” .......................................... Another reason people remain religious but lost is that they love the praise of men. .......................................... 📖 John 12:42-43 “Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: .......................................... For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” .......................................... Some people know the truth. .......................................... They feel conviction. .......................................... They understand that Christ is calling them. .......................................... But they fear what others will think. .......................................... They fear losing their position. .......................................... They fear being mocked. .......................................... They fear offending religious relatives. .......................................... They fear admitting that the religion they trusted for years could not save them. .......................................... They love acceptance more than truth. .......................................... They choose reputation over repentance. .......................................... They choose the synagogue over the Saviour. .......................................... They choose the praise of men over the praise of God. .......................................... 📖 John 5:44 “How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?” .......................................... Another reason is that religious people may hear the Word repeatedly without ever obeying it. .......................................... 📖 James 1:22 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” .......................................... They hear sermons. .......................................... They underline verses. .......................................... They discuss doctrine. .......................................... They agree with biblical statements. .......................................... But they continually resist the truth when it reaches their own heart. .......................................... They enjoy messages about the sins of the world... .......................................... But become offended when the Word touches their pride, bitterness, lust, dishonesty, unforgiveness, greed, envy, rebellion, hypocrisy, or secret sin. .......................................... They want a Bible that condemns everyone else... .......................................... But they do not want a Bible that judges the thoughts and intents of their own heart. .......................................... 📖 Hebrews 4:12-13 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. .......................................... Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” .......................................... The religious but lost person may admire Scripture... .......................................... Until Scripture exposes him. .......................................... He may celebrate preaching... .......................................... Until preaching calls him to repent. .......................................... He may praise Christ as Saviour... .......................................... While resisting Christ as Lord. .......................................... He may want forgiveness... .......................................... Without forsaking rebellion. .......................................... He may desire heaven... .......................................... Without desiring holiness. .......................................... 📖 Hebrews 12:14 “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” .......................................... Another reason people stay religious but lost is that they have mistaken conviction for conversion. .......................................... They once felt afraid. .......................................... They once cried during a sermon. .......................................... They once walked an aisle. .......................................... They once repeated words after a preacher. .......................................... They once experienced relief. .......................................... But conviction alone is not conversion. .......................................... Emotion alone is not regeneration. .......................................... A temporary response is not always saving faith. .......................................... 📖 2 Corinthians 7:10 “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” .......................................... There is a sorrow that produces repentance. .......................................... And there is a sorrow that merely regrets consequences. .......................................... Judas felt remorse. .......................................... Esau wept. .......................................... Pharaoh confessed when judgment fell. .......................................... Felix trembled. .......................................... Agrippa was almost persuaded. .......................................... But being moved is not the same as being saved. .......................................... 📖 Acts 24:25 “And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” .......................................... Felix trembled... .......................................... But delayed. .......................................... Conviction came... .......................................... But he sent the messenger away. .......................................... Many people remain religious but lost because they continually postpone repentance. .......................................... They intend to surrender someday. .......................................... They intend to get serious later. .......................................... They intend to deal with their sin when life becomes calmer. .......................................... They intend to obey when it becomes convenient. .......................................... But the convenient season may never come. .......................................... 📖 2 Corinthians 6:2 “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” .......................................... Another reason people remain religious but lost is that they love darkness. .......................................... 📖 John 3:19-20 “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. .......................................... For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.” .......................................... The problem is not always lack of evidence. .......................................... The problem is often love for sin. .......................................... A man may argue about doctrine when the true issue is that he does not want to surrender his secret life. .......................................... He may criticize the church. .......................................... He may blame hypocrites. .......................................... He may debate translations. .......................................... He may complain about preachers. .......................................... He may search for contradictions. .......................................... But beneath all those excuses, the heart may simply be saying: .......................................... “I do not want the light to expose what I love.” .......................................... Religious activity can become a covering that allows a person to keep certain sins while still feeling spiritual. .......................................... He may condemn one kind of wickedness while protecting another. .......................................... He may preach against the sins he does not commit while excusing the sins he loves. .......................................... 📖 Matthew 23:27-28 “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. .......................................... Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.” .......................................... Jesus did not speak these words to pagans. .......................................... He spoke them to religious leaders. .......................................... They appeared beautiful outwardly. .......................................... They knew how to look holy. .......................................... They knew how to pray publicly. .......................................... They knew how to dress religiously. .......................................... They knew how to quote Scripture. .......................................... But the inside was unclean. .......................................... This is the difference between reformation and regeneration. .......................................... Reformation cleans the outside. .......................................... Regeneration gives a new heart. .......................................... Reformation changes habits. .......................................... Regeneration changes the source from which those habits flow. .......................................... Reformation tries to make the old man behave. .......................................... Regeneration makes a person a new creature in Christ. .......................................... 📖 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” .......................................... Another reason people remain religious but lost is that they misunderstand grace. .......................................... They imagine grace means God excuses continued rebellion. .......................................... They use forgiveness as permission to remain unchanged. .......................................... They speak of faith while refusing obedience. .......................................... They profess Christ while habitually denying Him by their works. .......................................... 📖 Titus 1:16 “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” .......................................... True grace does not teach us to become comfortable in sin. .......................................... True grace teaches us to deny ungodliness. .......................................... 📖 Titus 2:11-12 “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, .......................................... Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;” .......................................... We are not saved by works. .......................................... But the salvation that comes by grace produces fruit. .......................................... Good works are not the root of salvation. .......................................... They are the fruit of salvation. .......................................... Obedience does not purchase eternal life. .......................................... But a life permanently barren of repentance, love, holiness, and obedience gives no biblical ground for assurance. .......................................... 📖 Ephesians 2:8-10 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: .......................................... Not of works, lest any man should boast. .......................................... For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” .......................................... Another reason people remain religious but lost is false assurance. .......................................... They were told never to examine themselves. .......................................... They were taught that questioning an empty profession was the same as doubting God. .......................................... But Scripture commands examination. .......................................... 📖 2 Corinthians 13:5 “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” .......................................... The question is not merely: .......................................... “Did you once say a prayer?” .......................................... The question is: .......................................... “Are you in the faith?” .......................................... Has your heart been made new? .......................................... Do you love Christ? .......................................... Do you hunger for righteousness? .......................................... Do you hate the sin you once defended? .......................................... Do you receive correction from the Word? .......................................... Do you desire obedience? .......................................... Do you confess Christ openly? .......................................... Do you continue in His Word? .......................................... 📖 John 8:31 “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;” .......................................... Religious profession without spiritual fruit is a dangerous place. .......................................... 📖 Matthew 7:21 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” .......................................... These people called Jesus “Lord.” .......................................... They were not atheists. .......................................... They were not silent about their faith. .......................................... They claimed spiritual works. .......................................... They expected to enter the kingdom. .......................................... Yet Christ said: .......................................... 📖 Matthew 7:23 “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” .......................................... The most terrifying words are not: .......................................... “I once knew you, but lost you.” .......................................... He said: .......................................... “I never knew you.” .......................................... They knew religious language. .......................................... But they did not know Christ. .......................................... They performed works in His name. .......................................... But they lived in lawlessness. .......................................... They had profession. .......................................... But no possession. .......................................... They had activity. .......................................... But no saving relationship. .......................................... They had religion. .......................................... But no regeneration. .......................................... Child of God—and religious soul—do not ask only whether you attend church. .......................................... Ask whether Christ has changed your heart. .......................................... Do not ask only whether you believe certain facts about Jesus. .......................................... Ask whether you have trusted Him, received Him, and surrendered to His truth. .......................................... Do not ask only whether others consider you righteous. .......................................... Ask whether your conscience has been cleansed by the blood of Christ. .......................................... Do not ask whether you are better than someone else. .......................................... Ask whether you have been reconciled to God. .......................................... 📖 2 Corinthians 5:20 “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.” .......................................... Salvation is not found in a denomination. .......................................... Salvation is not found in religious performance. .......................................... Salvation is not found in family tradition. .......................................... Salvation is not found in self-righteousness. .......................................... Salvation is found in Jesus Christ. .......................................... 📖 Acts 4:12 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” .......................................... Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, died for our sins. .......................................... He was buried. .......................................... He rose again the third day. .......................................... He now commands all men everywhere to repent. .......................................... 📖 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; .......................................... And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” .......................................... 📖 Acts 17:30 “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:” .......................................... Do not hide behind religion. .......................................... Do not trust in ceremonies. .......................................... Do not trust in your own righteousness. .......................................... Do not trust in an empty profession. .......................................... Come into the light. .......................................... Confess your sin. .......................................... Turn to God. .......................................... Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. .......................................... Call upon Him while He is near. .......................................... 📖 Isaiah 55:6-7 “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: .......................................... Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” .......................................... 📖 Romans 10:9-10 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. .......................................... For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” .......................................... 📖 Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” .......................................... The answer is not more dead religion. .......................................... The answer is Christ. .......................................... Not merely knowing about Him... .......................................... But knowing Him. .......................................... Not merely admiring His words... .......................................... But receiving them. .......................................... Not merely calling Him Lord... .......................................... But yielding to His authority. .......................................... Not merely appearing clean before men... .......................................... But being washed, justified, and sanctified through the Lord Jesus Christ. .......................................... 📖 1 Corinthians 6:11 “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” .......................................... Do not settle for a form of godliness without its power. .......................................... Do not settle for church membership without the new birth. .......................................... Do not settle for human approval without divine acceptance. .......................................... Do not settle for religion when Christ is offering reconciliation, forgiveness, a new heart, and eternal life. .......................................... 📖 John 6:37 “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” .......................................... Come honestly. .......................................... Come humbly. .......................................... Come repentantly. .......................................... Come believing. .......................................... Come to Christ. .......................................... #KJV #JesusChrist #BibleTruth #Scripture #Faith #Repentance #Salvation #GospelTruth #ChristianPost #KingJamesBible