Legalism

"Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God. 20 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations -- 21 'Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,' 22 which all concern things which perish with the using -- according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh."
Colossians 2:18-23

Paul is speaking to us today, about legalism. There are those who, by false humility, do things that would make one think that they are a wonderful and glorious saint. And when you say anything to them, they falsely say, "Ah, it was nothing." When in reality, that is exactly what they want. They want the applause of men. He is ignorant and proud, and is living by the flesh. Paul tells us that person is not holding fast to the Head, who is Jesus Christ. The body, the Body of Christ, the church, is nourished by Christ, knit together in Christ, and grows from the increase that only comes from Christ. Beware beloved, of those who give the appearance of promoting unity in the body, but are really promoting their own agenda, which is to make themselves look good, regardless of the cost.

Let me encourage you, that if you died with Christ, crucifying the old man, the flesh, to the cross, then don't live according to the world's wisdom, subjecting yourself to regulations of men, concerning your daily walk with Christ. It is not by rules and regulations and religion that we walk, but by faith in Jesus Christ. When we subject ourselves to legalism, that set of rules imposed upon us by the traditions of men, we are putting ourselves back under bondage, from which Christ freed us by dying on the cross. We were under bondage to sin, before we became born again, and by subjecting ourselves to legalism, the "keeping of the rules," we are again placing ourselves back under bondage, except this time it has a different name. But it is binding just the same.

Legalism makes our walk with Christ something of a show, and makes men feel good about themselves. But beloved, we walk by faith, and that faith is in Jesus Christ, who from the cross said, "It is finished." There is nothing more to do. Nothing I can do to complete the work. This is something that some North American Christians have a problem with. "You mean there is nothing that I can do to help?" The answer is a resounding "No." Jesus did it all on the cross. He died for all, and nothing further needs to be done. That is why He cried, "It is finished." No more rules, regulations, and religion. You cannot keep them. And none of them will save your soul. Only Jesus can save your soul. So don't be bound by legalism and religion. Have a relationship with the Living God, through His Son Jesus Christ, and walk free. "When the Son sets you free, you are free indeed." Amen.