Religion Without Christ

Aim: To recognize how important faith in the Christ of the gospel really is.

Exegesis: Religion without Christ makes Pharisees of us. We must be honest with ourselves (vv. 1-3) and dependent upon Christ (v. 4). Religion without Christ condemns us. Our deeds reveal what we are (vv. 5-10); our God judges righteously (v. 11). Religion without Christ cannot save us, since no one can keep the law (vv. 12-13), and the Lord of the gospel is our only hope (vv. 14-16).

Key verse: v. 4 ''Or do you despise the riches of [God's] goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?''