False Religion in the Name of Christ

These people honor God with their lips but their hearts are far from Him. In vain, they worship Him, teaching their on doctrines of men.

Matthew 15:8-9 NASB

(8) 'THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME.

(9) 'BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.'"

These verses depict today's false religion very well. Billions are using the name of Jesus Christ in their religion but it is only lip service. These verses say where their error was: Their HEART and their DOCTRINE. Both these things go together in condemning people. Scripture says the heart is desperately wicked by nature and that we need a new heart. Our natural wicked heart tells us that there are things we can do insincerity that God will accept as being pleasing to Him to rid our hearts of guilt and contribute to meriting forgiveness from sin.

Man's doctrine flows from his wicked heart to match the self-righteous idea of self-appeasement. His doctrine emphasizes everything EXCEPT for justification by imputed righteousness, based on the accomplished, victorious, particular, effectual, redemption of the Lord Jesus Christ and the glory all that produced. 

Man's doctrine has its ultimate focus on Man by the commandments of men. Man thinks (heart = mind, will, affections) he is doing right because it seems right to him. He is sincere and full of zeal and encourages others to do the same. This is Man at his BEST. 

The scripture says "every man at his best is a 

"Mere breath" 

Psalms 39:5 NASB

(5) "Behold, You have made my days as handbreadths, And my lifetime as nothing in Your sight; Surely every man at his best is a mere breath. Selah.

Note that when he is at his best he is really at his worst because he is producing righteousness that is equal to "filthy garments". 

Isaiah 64:6 NASB

(6) For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

And "rubbish"

Philippians 3:8 NASB

(8) More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,

God is not impressed.

Believe in true gospel doctrine that honors and glorifies God and puts the focus on the SUPERIORITY, GREATNESS, and EXCELLENCE of the Christ that accomplished salvation for His people by perfect righteousness established. Repent from all man-centered, man-made, man-glorifying false doctrine. 

If you cling to Man's doctrine you will be with people in Hell who did the same and you can burn and compare notes in the dark and remain thirsty, never being satisfied.

Flee from man-centered religion and come to the fountain of water that satisfies forever; Christ and His gospel of grace that honors Him and you will NEVER thirst again.

Grove Oak Church