Hope for Prisoners of Legalism…
Jesus called out to the Jews of His day, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Yet in some churches today there is no rest, but a constant pressure to try to measure up to religious expectations. Through spiritual abuse and legalism, these churches turn Jesus’ promise of rest into a prison. Instead of being a house of prayer, the abusive church is a house that preys on God’s children. There is hope for the abused, for the same Jesus who offered rest nearly 2000 years ago is still offering you rest today.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” -Matthew 11:28–30
Q: “Is there no law for Christians to live by?”
God will write His law on your heart.
“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds.” -Hebrews 10:16
Q: “What is the difference between legalism and biblical obedience?”
Obedience is the act of conforming outwardly to God’s righteous standard and inwardly to the character of Christ through the enabling grace of God.
- In legalism, the resource is self-effort.
- In obedience, the resource is the Spirit of God.
Key Verse to Memorize
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” -Galatians 5:1
Key Passage to Read and Reread
The Book of Galatians