You’re focusing on the poison of religion, and forgetting the power of grace.

• Religion is our attempt to earn God’s approval by following all the rules.
• For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. Titus 2:11 NIV
• charis: the unmerited goodwill and favor of God •The grace that saves you is also the grace that sustains you.
• For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age … Titus 2:11-12 NIV

How Does God’s Grace Change Us?

•  The focus of religion is outward.
• “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.” Matthew 23:25-26 NIV

The power of grace is inward.

• I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Ephesians 3:16 NLT • •Religion says, “Try harder.” • •Grace says, “Trust more.”
• But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 10… For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV
• You’re trying to meet a need or relieve a hurt with something besides God’s grace.
• But where sin increased, grace increased all the more. Romans 5:20 NIV