Jesus spoke most ardently against those who thought they didn’t need a Savior; those who thought they had achieved God’s approval through their many good deeds.

The danger with Christianity is to mistake our traditions for works of righteousness, thereby elevating ourselves above our fellow brothers and attempting to advocate God’s approval.

It may be appropriate here to define “religion” as “the cultural traditions, in matters of faith and origins, that entrap mankind in manufactured righteousness.”

Jesus speaks to this danger most clearly in Matthew 7:15-23

Matthew 7:15-23

True and False Prophets

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

True and False Disciples

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven,but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’