Read Romans 7:1–6
By dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the
law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the
old way of the written code.
Romans 7:6
Something in human nature makes people want to go to extremes,
a weakness from which Christians are not wholly immune. “Since
we are saved by grace,” some argue, “we are free to live as we please,”
which is the law of license.
“But we cannot ignore God’s law,” others argue. “We are saved
by grace, but we must live under law if we are to please God.” This is
the extreme expression of legalism (the belief that human beings can
become holy and please God by obeying laws).
I have counseled many people who have suffered severe emotional and spiritual damage because they have tried to live holy lives
on the basis of a high moral standard. I have seen the consequences of
these attempts: Either such people become pretenders, or they suffer a
complete collapse and abandon all desires for godly living. I have seen,
too, that many legalists are extremely hard on other people—critical,
unloving, unforgiving. Paul wanted to spare his readers this difficult
and dangerous experience.
Something to Ponder
How can you remain obedient and faithful to God without falling
into the snare of legalism?