Pastor Chuck's Blog

On Sunday we explored yet another tendency that pulls people away from living the wonderful life where Jesus is at the very center of life: legalism.  Legalism is when we slip into thinking what we do makes us or keeps us right with God.  The legalist views God as someone who expects us to earn right-standing before him.  If we are just “good-enough” then he’ll quit being mad at us and instead will shower kindness.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Our best actions can’t change the reality of our inward sinfulness that must be removed by accepting Jesus’ death in our place.

Basically this whole issue of legalism is an attitude towards sin.  The attitude views sin as something that can be overcome with correct behavior.  But there’s another side to this coin.  There’s another attitude towards sin that is equally destructive: license.  Some followers of Jesus are not legalists at all; instead, they see sin as essentially no big deal.  We might put it this way: If I can’t earn my salvation – it is just given to me by God – and if it is a permanent gift irrespective of my actions, then it doesn’t matter what I do…I’ll pray the sinner’s prayer, get my ’skip hell, go straight to heaven’ card, and then go on living however I want.  Of course we don’t verbalize it this way, but if you look at your life, do your actions show you approach life like this?

This problem is not new.  It happened in ancient Rome.  Paul wrote Romans, in part, to address this very issue.  Paul wrote, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin continue to live in it?” (Rom 6:1-2). In other words, how in the world could a Christian keep on living like they used to live when she’s been set free from it?

Friends, if you want to live the abundant life Jesus promised you, you must not fall into the terrible traps of legalism or license.  Instead, tow the middle line.  Take your on-going battle with sin seriously.  When you sin, repent quickly.  Thank Jesus for dying to pay the penalty for that sin.  Allow yourself to grieve for that.  If the situation fits, get accountability from a fellow Christian.  Correct the wrong if possible.  Seek forgiveness from others.  Put boundaries in place to so your chances of falling again lessen.  And then move on.  Don’t dwell in it.  Confession of sin is a door to walk through, not a room to live in.  God’s forgiveness is supernatural.  Enjoy it!

Grateful,

Chuck