And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. Matthew 15:9 (NKJV) Religious, but NOT Saved

Pharisees A very religious sect (group) A very religious sect (group) Jesus said concerning them: Jesus said concerning them: Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. -Matthew 23:28 (NKJV)

Matthew 23:13 (NKJV) But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. We have men binding their own ways today too. They keep many from heaven by their arrogance and false ways. They keep many from heaven by their arrogance and false ways.

Religious- but united in Christ Religious- but united in Christ The arrogance of men and their false religions severely damages unity in Christ! John 17:20-21 (NKJV) 20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding” Proverbs 3:5

Example A man who was LOST even though very religious!

Saul of Tarsus who became Apostle Paul Acts 22:6 (NKJV) Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me. Acts 22:10 (NKJV) 10 So I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, 'Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.' Acts 22:16 (NKJV) 16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’

Yet another example of having much religion, but still being LOST!

The Eunuch Acts 8:27 (NKJV) ……., a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, Religious, but lost! Let us read the account beginning in Acts 8:29.

29 And the Spirit said to Philip, "Go over and join this chariot." 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?" 31 And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:

"Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth." 34 And the eunuch said to Philip, "About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?" 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.

36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?" 37 And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he replied, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.

Religious, but LOST!

Israel -Very religious -but lost Romans 10:1-2 (NKJV) Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.

Religious and Saved Religious and Saved A religious person is not necessarily a saved person,. A religious person is not necessarily a saved person,. – Trust and Obey! Matthew 7:21 (NKJV) 21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Religious and Saved Religious and Saved Mark 16:16 (NKJV) 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. Would you accept the Lord, and be saved now?