How many religions are there in the world? Would you believe two? The truth is, you can categorize every single religion of the world into one of two basic categories. You can strip away all externals — from minor differences to major theological divides — and cut right to the heart of the matter rather easily.
So, how can we take so many complicated systems of belief and simplify them down to two basic belief systems? Two words: DO or DONE. Remember those words, because they are very important!
First let’s look at the DO religions. These religions are, in truth, systems of religions. Their central message is “what you must DO to gain the approval of God and to earn entrance into Heaven.” The general agreement among these religions is that man is somehow separated from God and must DO something to be restored to Him.
It’s like having the same macaroni and cheese cooked fifty-two different ways. The substance and central message of each of these religions are identical — “God is upset at you, so you’d better start doing good things to make Him happy!”
In this DO category, every religion has a different list of “DOs” and “DON’Ts.” For some, the list is extremely long and tedious — confess your sins, get baptized, give money, get confirmed, shave your head, sell flowers at the airport, sell literature door to door. The list is as endless as the imaginations of men. And with every passing decade new religions are popping up with new lists.
Very few people realize this, but to accept any of the DO religions, you must basically throw away the central teaching of the Bible! Look at these Scriptures for yourself and consider what God is saying to you…
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us…” (Titus 3:5). In other words, you cannot gain God’s favor by doing good works. Again, God says, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight…” (Romans 3:20). He’s saying, “you cannot justify yourself in God’s sight by doing good deeds.”
let’s look at that other word — DONE. DONE. Finished. Complete. Full. Ended. Ready. Accomplished. Fulfilled. Perfected. What a great word!
Though most religions of the world fit into the DO category, there is still the DONE category! The true message of the Bible is DONE. In other words, everything necessary to restore you to God and bring you into eternal life with Him has already been DONE.
When Jesus was hanging on the cross, He said these words, “It is finished” (John 19:30). The phrase literally means “paid in full.” DONE. It was God saying to the whole human race “DONE!”
DONE says “there’s nothing more to DO.” The price is paid. The debt is forgiven. The atonement is complete. If you try to earn it, work for it, or DO something to get it, you’re wasting your time. It’s already DONE.
(From: “done.: What most religions don’t tell you about the Bible” by Cary Schmidt.)
I agree its done on the cross, but human race has ability to say Yes or No. 2Timoth 2:13 says Lord will wait for us. This means we have a part to play to accept salvation.
Absolutely. Thank God our heavenly Father sent His Son to give us eternal life and finish the Law once and for all (Romans).