Religion without relationship is deadly. Today we're going to see how the very people who knew Scripture best were the ones who opposed Jesus most. It's a sobering reminder that you can have all the right truth in your head and still be very far from God in your heart.
John 5:9-10 "Immediately the man became well and picked up his pallet and began to walk. Now it was the Sabbath on that day. So the Jews were saying to the man who was cured, 'It is the Sabbath, and it is not permissible for you to carry your pallet.'"
Picture this scene: A man who hasn't walked in thirty-eight years is suddenly walking. Not staggering, not limping, not oscillating like a baby deer – he's marching off like he's been hiking his entire life. It's absolutely miraculous. People who've known this guy their whole lives are watching in amazement.
But then, out from behind the pillars comes the peanut gallery. The religious leaders see what's happening and their response? "Sabbath! Sabbath! Article 9, section 7, chapter 3, subsection 27 – if a man is healed of paralysis, even on the Sabbath, he shall not carry his pallet!"
They suppressed the shock and awe of the moment. Instead of responding with joy, gratitude, and worship, they snicker and jeer with disdain.
Now, where in the Bible does it say it's against the law for someone healed of paralysis to carry their bed? Nowhere. That's exactly the point. It was part of their legalistic system – man-made traditions that bound people's consciences.
The Sabbath was designed by God as a gift. It was meant to be a time to cease from work, rest, recharge, and relish who God is. Every Sabbath was its own sermon: "God provides for me without me." But mankind is prone to legalism, so the Jews implemented thirty-nine different laws to make sure no one ever broke the Sabbath.
Here's what legalism is and isn't: It's not legalism to pursue obedience, fight sin, avoid worldliness, or strive to live righteously. It's not legalism to have personal convictions about drinking, movies, or music. It becomes legalism when you think these things make you more righteous or more worthy of God's acceptance than others.
Legalism is when you separate the law of God from the person of God, when you distinguish between God's commands and His character. The legalist presents a God whose love can be earned by what we do and what we don't do.
Tony Reinke puts it perfectly: "It is legalism that causes a missionary in Africa to think God is more pleased with him than the American Christian businessman driving a Mercedes. It is legalism that causes the preacher behind the pulpit to think God is more pleased with him than the tattooed Christian teenager sitting in the back row."
The legalist asks, "How can I get God to be for me and not against me?" and answers by saying, "By keeping the law perfectly." It's a failure to be awestruck by grace.
But here's the danger – on the flip side of legalism, you get antinomianism. These are people who say, "I don't need to obey Jesus Christ; I'm covered by grace." But they're just as legalistic because they're still basing their standing before God on law – they just think breaking it proves their freedom.
What does every legalist and antinomian need to hear? The gospel. Over and over and over again. Romans 3 says by works of the law no human being will be justified. But Romans 6 says shall we continue to sin so that grace may abound? May it never be!
1. In what areas of your life might you be adding man-made rules to God's Word?
2. How do you know if your obedience is flowing from love for Christ or an attempt to earn His favor?
3. Where might you be looking down on other Christians whose convictions differ from yours?
Stay dialed in.