The book I'm currently reading is Tell the Truth by Will Metzger, a book on G0d-centered witnessing. In it he quotes an illustration from an article by Lee Strobel on the difference between Christianity and Religion. Here's the quote:
"Religion is spelled D-O---people do good deeds, like praying, being nice to others, or giving money to the poor, in order to try to ear their way to heaven. The problem is, they never know how many good deeds they need to do. Even worse, the Bible says they can never do enough to merit eternal life.
But Christianity is spelled D-O-N-E. Jesus has done for us what we could never do for ourselves. He lived the perfect life and died as our substitute to pay for all of our wrongdoing."
Metzger describes Jesus as our "substitute law-keeper." Jesus, in His life, perfectly kept all God's laws. We have failed to do that but when we turn to Him in repentance and faith His perfect life counts for us. Metzger also describes Jesus as our "substitute sin-bearer." Because we have failed and sinned, we should bear the wrath of God for our sin. However, Jesus, in His death, took God's wrath for our sins and when we trust Christ, that counts for us. Being "in Christ" carries a double benefit . . . and more!
*Tell the Truth by Will Metzger (IVP Books, Downers Grove, Illinois, 2002, p. 74) quoting Lee Strobel, "How Can I Share My Faith with Others?" in This We Believe, ed. John N. Akers, John H Armstorng and John D. Woodbridge (Greand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2000), p. 198.
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