Self-Reliance

This is the deception of legalism. This is the deceit of "appearing holy."

Paul wrote to the churches in Galatia because they were deserting the grace of God and returning to Moses’ law. He reminded them not to enslave themselves to the law when they have been set free through Christ!

What is legalism? The word legalism has the word legal in it.

So, legalism is trying to follow the law (or a list of rules) in order to get into good favor with God.

Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. (Galatians 2:16)

The Lord says, “These people approach me with their speeches to honor me with lip-service – yet their hearts are far from me, and human rules direct their worship of me.” (Is. 29:13)

I acknowledge there is a very fine line between obedience and grace.

1 Samuel 16:7 says “Do not look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.”

James 2:18 tells us that faith without works is dead. Our works should reflect our hearts’ desire to worship Christ

Mark Ballenger writes “The way to avoid legalism in Christianity is to have good deeds with good motives, to obey God’s law out of a relational love for him.”

I can never measure up to the "tablets of stone" that are the "ministry of death". Even as we strive to respond in our love with gratitude for Jesus's sacrifice, no amount of attempts to keep the law will ever be successful! We all fall short of the Glory of God!

What I want to do, I don't do, and what I don't want to do I do! I am utterly nothing compared to God's Glory! I can wholly rest, as a sabbath rest, in Jesus's finished work on the cross!

When one has been modeled obedience above all, ensuring perfection (rather than Jesus's sacrifice and all that means for individuals) becomes the full focus.

The intent of this teaching was not to enslave, but the risk of captivity and being snared.

Is. 28:10-13 says, For they hear: “Order on order, order on order, line on line, line on line; a little here, a little there.” Indeed, with mocking lips and foreign tongues, He will speak to this people to whom He has said: “This is the place of rest, let the weary rest; this is the place of repose.” But they would not listen. Then the word of the LORD to them will become: “Order on order, order on order, line on line, line on line; a little here, a little there,” so that they will go stumbling backward and will be injured, ensnared, and captured.

I find it interesting that this passage is about how "priests" are trying to mimic the Word of God. I find it fascinating to realize that any "prophet" after Christ does the same thing. Once they order the study of scripture "line upon line and precept upon percent," this becomes "meaningless" and causes us to stumble backward, injuring, ensnaring, and capturing once again, after Christ has set us free!

I do not take this lightly! The way in which scripture is studied is important. I do not miss the correlation between how certain "prophets" encourage us to study scripture. I feel we need to take this as a huge RED FLAG because I believe God included this verse as just that!!

Take notice when those trying to teach about God use the same verbiage as what God is trying to warn against!! Even if they "didn't mean it that way!"

Jesus came to satisfy the requirement of my blood for my sins. The purpose of his "example" was not to teach me how to perform perfectly in order to be worthy of spending eternity with Him. My good works will never be enough to merit salvation. The only way I am saved is through the blood of Jesus. Thank you, Jesus, for your sacrifice!

No matter the good intent, I believe legalism always leads to confusion and hopelessness.

a thing i’ve known

I’ve known confusion –

Recognizing right, but loving wrong.

Twisted soul, trying to survive

in a world full of the effects of sin.

I’ve known confusion –

A love shown sweet as a new sunrise,

may also be the love that if given time

may scorch like the burning rays.

I’ve known confusion –

With the deception of satan

And the love of Christ… Struggling endlessly

for the right to prevail.

Why must I know this thing so well?

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God doesn't care how many Bible verses you memorize. He cares how you treat people.

For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command:

"Jesus answered 'Love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This and the first and most important command. And the second command is like the first: Love your neighbor as you love yourself. All the law and the writings of the prophets depend on these two commands." -Matthew 22:37-40

The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and, yes, including the 4th Commandment, are summed up in this one command:

“Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Romans 13:9)

There is no commandment greater than these.

Jesus, thank you for removing the scales from my eyes when I was living in the bondage of perfection! Ps. 37 Thank you for releasing me from the curse of the law and showing me the freedom that comes only from looking on Your face! Gal. 3:10; 2 Cor. 3. You have truly removed the veil from my eyes.