Quicksand is comprised of sand mixed with water. It is much denser than salt water, so people can easily float in it. The problem is that quicksand, unlike salt water, acts like a vacuum (viscosity) and will not let you go. The viscosity increases with movement, and a person is sucked under when they try to free themselves. The only way a person can survive an encounter with quicksand is to immediately cease all quick, fearful movements, float on their back, and simply relax. While in a resting posture, it is advised that one screams for help until a rescuer hears, finds, and then extracts them.
RELIGION is like quicksand! It sure is!
Religion is comprised of guilt mixed with the erroneous belief that specific acts will gain God’s acceptance, favor, and approval. The slightest inability to perform these religious acts engulfs an individual in a quicksand of guilt. Religion’s illusion is that an individual can actually free himself from this guilt by trying. However, like quicksand, the more the individual tries to free himself, the greater the viscosity of guilt grows, burying him.
Contrary to religion, Jesus tells us to stop trying because we are already guiltless before our Father, not because of our effort, but because of His finished work. As a result of Jesus’ finished work, we have already risen, survived, and floated to the top of all religious quicksand. Forgetting all religious illusions of trying to free ourselves, we now remember the heart of the Gospel; we are free, we are right, and we are guiltless — because Christ is in us! So rejoice and assume a resting posture! You have already survived all bouts with quicksand — It is Finished!
