Legalism is a joy-stealer

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Living with joy”

Our Bible verse for today: “Watch out for the dogs, watch out for the evil workers, watch out for those who mutilate the flesh.” Philippians 3:2 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Legalism is a joy-stealer”

Bible commentator Max Anders tells the story of how once when he was in Mexico City he went to the central square in the city to visit the great cathedrals which border the square. While he was there, he noticed a peasant woman on all fours, crawling across the square on hands and knees. The square was paved with cobblestones which were irregular in shape and with pointy sharp corners. So, the woman’s hands and knees were getting bruised and cut as she crawled along.

As she slowly made her way across the square to the entrance to one of the great cathedrals, she would periodically stop, rise-up on her knees, fold her hands, bow her head, and pray for a few moments. Then she would get back down on all fours and continue her long slow crawl across the square to the cathedral. It was an act of humiliation and penance on her part as she tried to prove to God how sorry she was for her sins.

You are probably sitting there thinking that it’s not necessary for people to do things like that in order to please God, and you would be right. 1 John 1:9 tells us that if we confess our sins God is faithful and just and will forgive our sins. It’s a matter of God’s grace and not some extreme measures we subject ourselves to. But legalism teaches Christians we have to engage in extreme acts of penance, sacrifice, and self-deprivation in order to please God.

That’s the subject Paul addresses here in the beginning of chapter three of his letter to the Philippians – this letter that is all about living free and joyfully in Christ. In the opening verses of this chapter, he refers to a group of religious legalists known as “The Judaizers.” They taught that in addition to the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins, Christian men also had to be circumcised according to the Jewish tradition or they were not really a Christian. Paul was cautioning his readers to reject such thinking. Salvation is found in Christ alone, by grace alone, and not by any additional actions, sacrifices, or rituals.

Sadly, we see modern-day versions of this legalism in parts of the Christian community today. When leaders promote and insist upon practices that go beyond what God Himself requires of us in the Bible – beware! It’s a form of legalism, it is unnecessary, and it is a guaranteed joy-stealer.

Righteousness in God’s eyes is a gift of grace that comes through faith in Christ alone. Beyond that, how to live a life that is pleasing to God is spelled out for us by Him, in the Bible. There is nothing more to it, and nothing less. Beware of legalism – it is a joy-stealer!

God bless,
Pastor Jim

If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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