LIMITATIONS OF RELIGIOUS LEGALISM

 

LIMITATIONS OF RELIGIOUS LEGALISM

March 12 , 2024

 

By Rev Michael Benson Ajayi 

"You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as,"Colossians 2:20 NLT

" I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die." Galatians 2:21 NLT

   The 613 laws of Moses places the burden of salvation on man ; while the law of grace places the demand on the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross . The born again Christian is saved because of the obedience of Jesus Christ. The law demands absolute obedience to the six hundred and thirteen laws for a person to be saved. Failure in one aspect of the law brought about a curse

  Despite the stringent nature of the law, those under the era of the law enjoyed God's love and mercy . The high priests  who were bound by the law sometimes broke it (John7:22-24; Matt12:10-13) . There were exceptions that allowed the law of Moses to be broken . For instance , the unsanctified were allowed to eat the Passover ( 2Chron 30:26-18) this was against the law.  David ate the shewbread which was not allowed by the laws of Moses ( 1Sam21:6; Matt12:1-4) 

  God always wanted mercy and love more than religious legalism " I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings" .(Hosea 6:6 NLT, Mic6:6-8, Mk 12:33)

   Religious legalism is an overwhelming burden when imposed on anyone . Jesus said "They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden." Matthew 23:4 NLT 

   The bible warns that we avoid the concision : they were believers who were still bound by the law of Moses. ( Phil3:2,3)  they seek to bring God's people under the law even when they cannot keep the 613 laws. The bible says  "So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1 NLT

   Religious legalism is a denial of Jesus' sacrifice while replacing it with self-righteousness . The bible says  " For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law." Romans 10:3 NLT and " I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die." Galatians 2:21 NLT

   The law cannot save or make a person righteous. Religious legalism promotes corruption and marital infidelity  that's why the most unhappy nations  are those who promote religious legalism .  

The bible says  “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires." Colossians 2:21‭-‬23 NLT     Religious legalism lacks the power to save a marriage or country .  The bible says " Everyone who believes in him is made right in God’s sight—something the law of Moses could never do." Acts 13:39 NLT ; Phil 3:3-9 .     Those who seek to follow the law are under bondage , the inability to keep the law brings about the curse . 'But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law.” Galatians 3:10 NLT James2:10, Debut 27:26

Prayer: Heavenly father forgive me of my sins against you I believe Jesus Christ died ams was raised again for my salvation I receive him as Lord and saviour and receive the Holy Ghost and power to make great progress in the face of adversity in Jesus name.

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