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How the Risen Christ Frees Us from Legalism
By Justin Huffman
While the average Christian may not say, “Avoiding legalism and lawlessness are among my greatest struggles,” these dangers remain a crucial issue in the Christian life. Following Christ is never something we place on autopilot. The Christian life requires daily, moment-by-moment recalibration of our hearts according to the truth of God’s Word and the hope of the Gospel.
Because Christ is risen, believers no longer live under condemnation or perform for acceptance before God. The resurrection declares that Christ’s sacrifice was accepted by the Father and that all who trust in Him are fully justified. Christians obey not to earn God’s favor, but because they already belong to the risen Christ.
The great cure for every sin is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We avoid legalism by focusing on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We also avoid lawlessness by focusing on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Avoiding Legalism
Legalism reveals itself in many ways. Here are three common examples.
1. Adding Rules to God’s Rules
It is easy to criticize the Pharisees for adding hundreds of rules to God’s law, yet Christians can fall into the same trap today. Whenever we elevate our personal standards to the level of God’s Word, we act as though we are more righteous or wiser than God Himself.
One example is the legalistic approach many Christians take toward alcohol. Scripture clearly condemns drunkenness as sin, yet Paul instructed Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:23 to “use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.” Christians should exercise wisdom, love for weaker brothers, and awareness of personal temptation in matters of liberty. However, we cross a dangerous line when we bind the consciences of others where Scripture does not.
We must not add our own standards to God’s perfect Word.
2. Requiring Others to Agree with Us on Every Issue
It is easy to understand how believers in the early church could make secondary issues into tests of orthodoxy. In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul addresses disputes over food offered to idols. Some believers viewed eating such food as sinful, while others recognized that idols are nothing and that Christians are free in Christ.
Ironically, Paul describes those with the stricter position as the “weak” believers because they had not yet fully grasped the freedom found in the Gospel.
This does not mean doctrine is unimportant. Christians must distinguish between essential Gospel truths and secondary matters where faithful believers may disagree. We should stand firmly on the truth while showing patience and grace toward fellow believers who sincerely seek to honor Christ.
A helpful question to ask is this: could a faithful Christian who believes the Bible is inerrant and desires to obey Christ understand this issue differently than I do? If so, we should proceed with humility and charity even amid disagreement.
3. Measuring God’s Love by Our Performance
One of the most common forms of legalism is believing that God loves us more when we perform well and less when we fail.
The beautiful truth of the Gospel is that God receives His people because of Christ’s righteousness, not their own. We are heard, accepted, and blessed because Jesus was perfectly righteous in our place.
Because Christ is risen, believers are no longer defined by spiritual success or failure. The empty tomb reminds us that our standing before God rests entirely on the finished work of the crucified and risen Savior.
Applying the Gospel
The Gospel is the cure for every form of legalism that threatens to take root in our hearts. God is holy, we are sinful, and Jesus Christ obeyed perfectly in our place, died for our sins, and rose again victorious over sin and death.
When we trust in Christ’s righteousness rather than our own:
- We no longer need to create extra rules to make ourselves feel righteous.
- We stop judging others according to our personal standards.
- We remember that our acceptance before God rests fully in Christ.
As Tim Keller wisely said, “What makes me beautiful to God is Jesus.”
The Gospel lifts us out of the traps of legalism and anchors us in the grace of God through the risen Christ. Because Jesus lives, believers are free from condemnation, free from self-made righteousness, and free to walk in joyful obedience for the glory of God.
Living in Light of the Risen Christ Series
For more articles in the Living in Light of the Risen Christ: How the Resurrection Shapes the Christian Life series, visit:
https://servantsofgrace.org/category/the-gospel-and-the-christian-life/living-in-light-of-the-risen-christ-how-the-resurrection-shapes-the-christian-life/
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