My friends, abstain from Illegalism! Can you not see how the devil uses God’s good things and distorts them? He loves to take good things that God has made (like the law), and warp them to the utmost degree. Let me take an example from giving to the needy. All in all, this is a perfectly wonderful act, but the devil has taken this, and twisted both sides. While some people would be tempted to be lazy or greedy, and not give any money, others would be tempted to give extravagantly in order to show off in front of others. The same goes for the law. Satan has taken God’s law—his perfect way of living, that is—and twisted it to both extremes. With those who wish to follow the law, he tempts them to boast, and to adopt a legalistic dependency on it rather than God. And, for those who wish to break free from the law’s chains, he gives them laziness and selfish thoughts of “freedom.”
Some of you may say: “Well, I guess were darned if we do, and darned if we don’t.” That’s where I believe you’re wrong. Through the glorious liberty in Christ, he has enabled us to be do-gooders free from the curse of the law. I think it is possible to get to a place (with God’s help) where you can follow the law perfectly, and not slip into either side of temptation. That should be our goal as Christians.
And to those who are lazy and selfish (like me), I will say this, even though it seems like it is overused. The Christian walk is not about you; it is about the giving up of yourself, in order to do what God wants. There may be some things that you have to give up, things that your sin nature clings to fiercely, and your body fights against every step of the way. You may have to let your pride, which can be found in almost every part of our lives, be crushed under humble service and pursuit of righteousness.
Now I realize that many of you may never follow the law completely, and that’s fine!
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” (Ro. 8:1-2)
Now, shouldn’t you at least try? I’ve said enough:
“‘Then neither do I condemn you,’ Jesus declared. ‘Go now and leave your life of sin.’” (Jn. 8:11)
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