“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation!
Old things have passed away.
Behold, all things have become new!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
Most people view Christianity as a superficial thing, consisting in a bare assent to certain notions, and a formal observance of certain religious rites. If they have some general views of Christianity; if they occasionally attend a church service; and finally, if they are not guilty of any scandalous sins–they think they have all the religion they need! But they merely substitute the shadow for the substance, and the external for the internal.
True and saving religion is widely different from this! It is a radical conversion of the soul, turning from sin, and turning to God.
True religion, as it exists in the soul, is a heaven-born principle that pervades and operates in all our faculties. It . . .
restrains our passions,
corrects our desires,
and purifies our affections.
It enters into all our motives, and subjects everything to itself.
Saving religion will endure no rival; nor will it make a truce with any sin–however dear and habitual.
It will reign over the whole man.
Because It brings its votary to the foot of the cross.
It constrains him to walk in the steps of his divine Master.
And It progressively transforms him into the image of Christ!
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you.
Because I will remove from you your heart of stone, and give you a heart of flesh.
And I will put My Spirit in you, and cause you to follow My decrees, and be careful to keep My laws!” Ezekiel 36:26-27