Daily Devotional
Are You Duped by Religion?

January 6, 2023

Ponder This

In Revelation, a surprising group standing under the judgment includes those who have been duped by religion. These are church members. They have religion, but they don’t have Jesus Christ. They have been baptized. They may have been members of a Bible-preaching, Bible-believing church. The devil would just as soon send you to Hell from that pew as he would the gutter; it makes no difference to him. There are many people who get their names on the church roll but never have their names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. I believe in the church, but the church is not the way to Heaven; the church is a sign that points to Heaven.

One day I planned to go to Forrest City, Arkansas, for a meeting. Suppose you came out on Interstate 40 and saw me sitting on a sign that said Forrest City. You would come to me and ask, “Pastor, what are you doing?” I would tell you, “I’m going to Forrest City. Don’t you see the sign that says, ‘This way to Forrest City’? I’m sitting on this sign, and I’m on my way to Forrest City.” You’d say, “No, Pastor, you don’t get there by sitting on a sign. The sign points you to the way. The sign is not the way.” The church points you to the way; it is not the way, my friend. The church is only a signpost saying, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.”

• What is the difference between putting your faith in a church and putting your faith in Christ?
• When did you choose to follow Jesus? How did that change your life or your plans for yourself?

Practice This

Think of times God has affected your life outside of your church experience. How can you share those experiences with someone else?