Religious but Lost: What Jesus Really Said to the ‘Good’ People”
But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!
~ Luke 12:5
Today in Luke 11:37–44, we see one of the most significant moments during Jesus’ time on earth. He was invited to dine with a Pharisee who, by the way, was one of the most religious men of his day. Instead of offering polite conversation or mutual admiration, Jesus delivers a sharp and public rebuke. He exposes their spiritual pride, hypocrisy, and inward corruption. Far from commending their religious devotion, Jesus condemns it, revealing that their outward appearance of holiness masked hearts that were far from God (Matthew 23:27–28, Isaiah 29:13).
What really surprises a lot of people today is that Jesus didn’t reserve His toughest criticisms for the sinners wandering around the streets. Instead, He aimed His sharpest words right at the religious leaders in the synagogue. “Woe to you Pharisees!” Can you believe that? He declares it repeatedly. Why? Because they were experts in appearing righteous, yet they were full of greed, pride, and spiritual blindness (Luke 18:11–14, Matthew 6:1–5). They tithed even the smallest herbs yet neglected justice and the love of God. They burdened others with laws they themselves did not follow. They honored the prophets with their lips while their hearts were just as rebellious as those who murdered them (Matthew 23:29–31).
This should shake us. It teaches us that religious activity does not equal salvation. A person can go to temple—or church—every week, quote Scripture, and perform rituals, and still be completely lost (Titus 1:16, 2 Timothy 3:5). You know, Jesus wasn’t here just to endorse religion. His whole purpose was about inviting people into a real, active relationship with Him, because it’s all about repentance and faith (Mark 1:15, John 3:3–7). Think about it—His mission wasn’t to patch up hollow systems of self-righteousness. Instead, He came to shine a light on those empty ways and replace them with what’s real and true. Isn’t that a refreshing perspective?
The danger is just as real today, maybe even worse. Just look around—there are so many false teachers, kind of like those Pharisees from back in the day. They love the spotlight, crave the praise of people, and twist the Word of God to suit their own needs. They end up making themselves their own gods, which is idolatry (2 Peter 2:1–3, Romans 1:21–23). You’ve got people preaching about morality, good deeds, or emotional highs, but here’s the kicker—most won’t even talk about sin or call people to true faith in Christ (Galatians 1:6–9, 2 Timothy 4:3–4).
Many preachers or people who talk about Jesus may look and seem religious, but they are totally twisting what the Bible really says. Just look at Matthew 7:15, where Jesus warns us, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” These false teachers aren’t harmless—they’re leading people astray and destroying souls. It’s something we need to be very aware of (Jude 1:4, 1 John 4:1).
True salvation is not found in religion, tradition, or even sincerity. It is found in Jesus Christ alone. When we look at John 14:6, where Jesus says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,” it really hits home. It’s clear, isn’t it? Jesus didn’t come to establish just another religious group. His mission was much deeper. He came to save sinners, expose the pride of those who think they’re already righteous, and offer a true change of heart through faith in Him (Luke 5:31–32, 1 Timothy 1:15).
We really need to be cautious. We might think we’re on the right path, when in reality we’re wasting time on the broad road that leads away from Jesus—and we are not saved. What we’ve done is placed our faith in human wisdom instead of God’s truth (1 Corinthians 1:18–25). We must move beyond rituals and traditions and genuinely connect with Christ Himself. That’s what matters most. The Bible makes it clear in Matthew 7:13–14, “Enter by the narrow gate…” and that is Jesus Christ and the truth of His word in the bible.
Read / Listen
Deuteronomy 29:1-30:20
Luke 11:37-12:7
Psalm 78:1-31
Proverbs 12:19-20
New Testament
Luke 11:37-12:7
Summary
Woes to the Pharisees and Lawyers
Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees
Have No Fear
No Fear
Have No Fear
Overview: Luke 10-24 Click Here to Watch Video
But Jesus did not accept religious people. In fact, He kept His fiercest threats for them. You see, Jesus was not about sentimentality; He was about truth. Jesus is truth personified. He is the living manifestation of the holy law of God, and as such, He perfectly understood that religion, spiritual teaching, contrary to the truth comes from hell and sends people there. Anything but the truth is a damning deception that has the greatest power to destroy souls forever because it gives the illusion that all is well. In fact, I would go so far as to say that of all the evils in the world, of all the sins in the world, of all the iniquities in the world, our Lord knew that religion was the worst — false religion — and especially false Judaism and false Christianity. And that’s why the severest eternal judgment will be rendered for the religious who perverted the Old Testament and the New Testament.
The leaders of Jewish religion were perverters of the Old Testament, as well as deniers of the Messiah, haters of the Messiah, eventually manipulated Rome to take His life. They perverted the Old Testament. They rejected its true message and therefore in their spiritual deadness and blindness they were unable to perceive the truth of the New Covenant and Christ. The judgment on them is really a result of their own willful rejection.
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