And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. Romans 8:38
Do you struggle with legalism or license in your Christian walk?
Read Romans 7:1-13. License is anything goes, while legalism is following all the rules. Do you tend to lean into one of these areas in your life? Do you know others who do? License and legalism don’t fall into our religion, but can also fall into other areas of our life. For example, when we go on diets, or the way we dress, the hobby’s we do, etc. Warren Wiersbe defines legalism in his Roman’s commentary as “the belief that I can become holy and pleasing to God by obeying laws. Its a list of dos and don’ts. We focus on the to-do list of what we have to do to make sure God is pleased. Do you pray every day throughout the day? Did you read your bible? Do you go to church? Did you do a good deed? Now mind you, none of these are bad. In fact, they are all good. However, where is your heart? We need to make sure that these do not become check lists but our way of having a relationship with God. How do we elevate God’s instructions without falling into a legalistic system?
From verses 1-6, what is the metaphor Paul uses to explain a believer’s relationship with the Law? What point does Paul say he is trying to make with this illustration? What is the old way to serve God? What is the new way?
Paul uses a marriage illustration to teach about the believer’s relationship with the law. This isn’t meant to be a marriage lesson, but to use a familiar institution and uses it to illustrate spiritual truth. Paul speaks of a man’s death is setting the wife free is to Christ dying on the cross and freeing us from sin. However, the man dies when the law is still around. Our salvation doesn’t come from the law, but we do use to obey God’s law. Christ-followers are under a new law. From this new law, Christ produces spiritual fruit in our lives. We need to remember the parallel lesson Paul was teaching and not let legalism creep in.
Read John 15:5, and Galatians 5:22-23.
Also read Matthew 23:23-24. What is the metaphor Jesus uses in these verses when it comes to the dangers of legalism? How would you summarize the point He is trying to make with the Pharisees? How can you apply this in your own life daily of balancing obedience to God and living in freedom from rules?
Read Romans 7:7-13. What is the commandment Paul uses as an example of the law in verse 7? He uses coveting. Not murders, stealing, or adultery. Jealousy is an inward attitude. Do you ever want to break the rules once they are stated? The rule creates our desire to want to break it. We can’t through the law out, Jesus followed the rules. Dying to the law doesn’t mean we break them or disobey them. Our motivation for our lives comes from God’s grace through Jesus Christ when we join him.
What helps you obey God’s word (the law) and practice spiritual rhythms without becoming legalistic?
Where are you at with license and/ or legalism?
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your son, Jesus. Thank you that he came to earth and showed us how to live our lives for you. I pray that we will hear the Holy Spirit when he convicts license or legalism in our lives. Father God, I pray that our love for you, that we will be obedient to you.
In Jesus Name
Amen
