Freedom in Christ: Breaking the Chains of Religious Legalism

In the crisp January mornings, as we watch the world appear dormant and cold, we're reminded of a profound spiritual truth: darkness and cold seasons are temporary, and new life is always on the horizon. This mirrors the Christian journey—God is constantly making all things new, bringing together a people for His glory in a renewed creation.
The Weight of Reputation
Consider the words of a World War I chaplain who wrote to his son from the trenches of France: "The first prayer I want my son to learn to say for me is not, 'God, keep daddy safe.' But 'God, make daddy brave.' Life and death don't matter, my son. Right and wrong do."
This chaplain understood something profound: godly character matters more than personal safety or reputation. He refused to let even the imminent threat of death deter him from what was most important—faithfulness to God.
This same priority drove the Apostle Paul's ministry. His character and reputation were constantly under attack, not because of legitimate accusations, but because opponents wanted to discredit his message. The strategy was simple: discredit the messenger, and you discredit the message. What was at stake? Nothing less than the pure gospel of Jesus Christ—salvation through Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone.
The Jerusalem Journey
After fourteen years, Paul returned to Jerusalem, bringing with him two significant companions: Barnabas and Titus. This wasn't a casual visit; God Himself directed Paul through revelation to make this journey.
Barnabas was no ordinary traveling companion. Early in the church's history, this man earned a reputation so remarkable that the apostles gave him a new name—"Son of Encouragement." When the early believers were selling their possessions to care for one another, Barnabas sold a field and laid the proceeds at the apostles' feet. His generosity and encouraging spirit were legendary.
This raises a challenging question for us: If those around you were to summarize your life in a nickname, what would it be? Would you be known as a complainer, a gossip, someone perpetually negative? Or would you be known as an encourager? Reputations aren't simply assigned—they're earned. Ninety-nine percent of the time, what others call us reflects who we truly are.
The Circumcision Controversy
Paul also brought Titus, a Greek believer who had not been circumcised. This detail wasn't incidental—it was central to the debate tearing at the early church.
False teachers had infiltrated the Christian communities, insisting that faith in Christ wasn't enough. They demanded circumcision and obedience to the Mosaic Law for salvation. "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses," they taught, "you cannot be saved."
This wasn't a minor theological disagreement. These teachers were mixing two covenants—blending the old covenant given through Moses with the new covenant established through Christ's blood. The circumcision sign had a shelf life; it pointed forward to the promised Messiah. Once Jesus came, died for our sins, and rose from the dead, that sign was no longer needed. To return to it was to go backward, not forward.
The Jerusalem Council convened to settle this matter. After much debate, Peter stood and declared the truth: "We believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus just as they will." God made no distinction between Jewish and Gentile believers, "having cleansed their hearts by faith."
James added his voice, quoting the prophet Amos to show that God's plan had always included the Gentiles. His conclusion? "We should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God."
The Danger of Legalism
Notice that phrase: "trouble those who turn to God." Legalism troubles people. It hinders them from turning to God. When additional requirements are placed alongside faith in Jesus Christ alone, it interferes with salvation, hinders ministry, and negatively affects people's lives.
Paul described these false teachers as those who "slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery." The language is military—sneaking into an enemy camp. These weren't friends with an alternate view; they were enemies of the gospel.
Religious legalists hate other people's freedom. They can't stand the idea that salvation is a free gift received through faith alone. They want to add requirements, create lists, establish rules that must be kept to earn or maintain God's favor.
Living in Freedom
Christ died to set us free. Not free to sin—that's a misunderstanding of grace—but free from the crushing burden of trying to earn our salvation through rule-keeping.
Here's the crucial distinction: Our obedience to God is not in order to be saved; it's because we're saved. We don't obey to earn favor with God. We obey out of love and gratitude for what Christ has already accomplished.
The key to addressing remaining sin in our lives isn't returning to some Christianized version of the Jewish law. The solution is to draw near to our Savior who forgave that sin. We believe and rejoice in the gospel, reminding ourselves often of what actually saves us—not our obedience, but Christ's obedience on our behalf.
Paul called the law "a ministry of death on tablets of stone." Why would anyone turn to death to try to find life? The letter of the law kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Drawing Near to Christ
If you're struggling with sin, with unbelief, with discouragement, don't turn to a checklist. Don't create spiritual disciplines that become just another form of bondage—the law of Moses with a Jesus sticker slapped on it.
Instead, draw near to Christ. Seek Him. He is the mediator of a better covenant. He gives the water of life. When He convicts you of sin, confess it to Him. But don't think the message is "try harder." The message is "love Jesus."
As the Spirit works in you, you will see obedience. That's His promise. But it flows from love, not from law-keeping.
Becoming Encouragers
As we walk in the freedom Christ purchased for us, we're called to be sons and daughters of encouragement to one another. In a world filled with criticism, negativity, and discouragement, the church should be known for building up, not tearing down.
The truth of the gospel was preserved not just for the early church, but for us today. We stand on the shoulders of faithful believers who refused to compromise, who stood firm so that we might know the freedom that comes through Christ alone.
May we guard that freedom jealously, never returning to slavery, always drawing near to the One who set us free.