Who saves? Christ.
Christianity is, in its most basic sincere application, a representative of the Bible and teachings of Christ.
OK, good up to that point. Now the problems…
Jesus taught us to avoid religion. Yes it’s true. When people fall into religious tradition and ritual, they lose sincerity and conviction. As it’s written,
This people draws nigh unto me with their mouth, and honors me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
Matthew 15:8
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites (religious leaders)! for you compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, you make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
Matthew 23:15
This is the trap of religion. Having a form of godliness, but void of the power of ‘knowing’ the Almighty. See II Timothy 2:5. Again…
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Matthew 7:23-23
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
If you want the hope of heaven, you must know the Creator personally. This is why Jesus came, to give us the choice to be free from our past sins, which cleans us to receive the Spirit and walk with the Almighty. As the above verse says… MANY will be rejected. Where do you stand? Your church may actually be holding you back from knowing the true and living God, Creator of all things. You MUST find Him. You may be active in church and be as lost as a blind man in the forest.
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you
Matthew 7:7
Hear what Paul said of religion…
For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
Galatians 1:13-14
Paul was very zealous in his religion but was fighting again God. He thought he was doing the will of God, while actually doing the opposite by working to destroy the church that God was building.
Remember this: your religion can not save you. In the Garden of Eden they did not have religion and God walked with them. In heaven, we will not have religion, we will be in the presence of God. You do not need religion, you need to have a real relationship with our Creator Father.