Breaking Free from the Chains of Legalism
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we delved into Colossians 2 as part of our series on Authentic Faith, focusing on the dangers of legalism. Legalism, as we defined it, is the imposition of self-made rules on top of God's Word, often driven by a misguided belief that following these rules will earn God's favor. This mindset is not only unbiblical but also harmful to our faith.
Legalism attempts to kill our faith in three primary ways: by judging, condemning, and enslaving us. First, it judges us by imposing unnecessary rules about diet and religious observances, making us feel inadequate if we don't conform. Paul warns against this in Colossians 2:16-17, emphasizing that these rules are merely shadows of the substance, which is Christ. Second, legalism condemns us by creating an elite class of "super-spiritual" individuals who claim special visions or practices, thereby disqualifying others who don't measure up. Paul counters this by stating that such people are inflated by empty notions and are disconnected from Christ, the head of the church (Colossians 2:18-19). Lastly, legalism enslaves us by making us submit to human regulations that are destined to perish. Paul urges us to live in the freedom Christ has given us, rather than returning to spiritual bondage (Colossians 2:20-23).
Legalism is tempting because it appeals to our self-righteousness, selfishness, independence, and desire to self-atone. However, it ultimately fails to deliver on its promises, leading us away from the grace and freedom found in Christ. True obedience to God is not about earning His love but responding to the love we already have in Christ. Therefore, we must kill legalism before it kills our faith, embracing a life of grace, love, and authentic devotion to God.
### Key Takeaways
1. Legalism Judges Us: Legalism imposes unnecessary rules about diet and religious observances, making us feel judged and inadequate if we don't conform. Paul warns against this, emphasizing that these rules are merely shadows of the substance, which is Christ. True faith is not about adhering to man-made rules but about embracing the freedom we have in Christ. [25:11]
2. Legalism Condemns Us: Legalism creates an elite class of "super-spiritual" individuals who claim special visions or practices, thereby disqualifying others who don't measure up. Paul counters this by stating that such people are inflated by empty notions and are disconnected from Christ, the head of the church. True spirituality is about holding on to Christ, not adhering to human standards. [40:03]
3. Legalism Enslaves Us: Legalism makes us submit to human regulations that are destined to perish, leading us back into spiritual bondage. Paul urges us to live in the freedom Christ has given us, rather than returning to these worldly regulations. True freedom in Christ means living a life of grace, not being bound by man-made rules. [48:07]
4. The Temptation of Legalism: Legalism is tempting because it appeals to our self-righteousness, selfishness, independence, and desire to self-atone. However, it ultimately fails to deliver on its promises, leading us away from the grace and freedom found in Christ. We must recognize these temptations and choose to live in the grace of God. [58:44]
5. Embracing True Obedience: True obedience to God is not about earning His love but responding to the love we already have in Christ. Legalism distorts obedience, making it a form of acceptance and atonement. Instead, we should embrace obedience as a joyful response to God's love, living a life of grace and authentic devotion. [01:02:24]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[19:44] - Introduction and Prayer
[21:44] - Defining Legalism
[25:11] - Legalism Judges Us
[40:03] - Legalism Condemns Us
[48:07] - Legalism Enslaves Us
[58:44] - The Temptation of Legalism
[01:02:24] - Embracing True Obedience
[01:13:11] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Colossians 2:16-23
2. Mark 7:18-19
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Colossians 2:16-17, what are the specific areas where Paul warns against being judged? How does he describe these rules in relation to Christ? [25:11]
2. In Colossians 2:18-19, what practices are mentioned that some people were using to condemn others? How does Paul describe these individuals? [40:03]
3. What does Paul mean when he says in Colossians 2:20-23 that these regulations are "destined to perish"? How does he describe their value? [48:07]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize that the rules about food and religious observances are merely "shadows" of the substance, which is Christ? How does this perspective change the way we view religious practices? [25:11]
2. How does the concept of "holding on to Christ" in Colossians 2:19 contrast with the behaviors of those who are described as inflated by empty notions? What does this tell us about true spirituality? [40:03]
3. In what ways does legalism attempt to enslave believers according to Colossians 2:20-23? How can understanding our freedom in Christ help us avoid this trap? [48:07]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there any areas where you feel judged or inadequate because of man-made rules rather than God's Word? How can you shift your focus to the freedom found in Christ? [25:11]
2. Have you ever felt condemned by others in the church for not adhering to certain practices or traditions? How did that affect your faith, and how can you respond differently in the future? [40:03]
3. Think about a time when you felt enslaved by religious regulations. How did that impact your relationship with God? What steps can you take to embrace the freedom Christ offers? [48:07]
4. Legalism can be tempting because it appeals to our self-righteousness, selfishness, independence, and desire to self-atone. Which of these temptations do you find most challenging, and why? [58:44]
5. True obedience to God is about responding to His love rather than earning it. How can you cultivate a heart of joyful obedience in your daily life? What practical steps can you take this week to live out this principle? [01:02:24]
6. Consider the ways you might unintentionally impose legalistic standards on others. How can you foster an environment of grace and freedom within your small group or church community? [01:05:04]
7. Reflect on the difference between self-discipline and self-denial as a form of self-atonement. How can you practice healthy self-discipline without falling into the trap of legalism? [56:03]
Devotional
Day 1: The Shadows of Legalism
Legalism imposes unnecessary rules about diet and religious observances, making us feel judged and inadequate if we don't conform. Paul warns against this in Colossians 2:16-17, emphasizing that these rules are merely shadows of the substance, which is Christ. True faith is not about adhering to man-made rules but about embracing the freedom we have in Christ. Legalism judges us by creating a false standard of righteousness that is not rooted in the gospel. It makes us feel like we are never enough, constantly striving to meet human expectations rather than resting in the grace of God.
Paul's message is clear: these rules are just shadows, and the reality is found in Christ. When we focus on Christ, we find true freedom and acceptance. We are no longer judged by what we eat or drink or by religious festivals, but by our relationship with Jesus. This freedom allows us to live authentically, without the burden of trying to earn God's favor through our actions. [25:11]
Colossians 2:16-17 (ESV): "Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ."
Reflection: Are there any man-made rules or traditions that you feel judged by? How can you shift your focus from these shadows to the substance, which is Christ?
Day 2: The False Elite of Legalism
Legalism creates an elite class of "super-spiritual" individuals who claim special visions or practices, thereby disqualifying others who don't measure up. Paul counters this by stating that such people are inflated by empty notions and are disconnected from Christ, the head of the church. True spirituality is about holding on to Christ, not adhering to human standards. Legalism condemns us by making us feel inferior if we don't have the same experiences or follow the same practices as these so-called spiritual elites.
Paul's warning is a reminder that our connection to Christ is what truly matters. These "super-spiritual" individuals are often disconnected from the true source of life and growth, which is Christ. By focusing on Christ, we can avoid the trap of feeling condemned and instead find our identity and worth in Him. [40:03]
Colossians 2:18-19 (ESV): "Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God."
Reflection: Have you ever felt disqualified or less spiritual because you didn't have certain experiences or follow specific practices? How can you focus on your connection to Christ instead?
Day 3: The Bondage of Legalism
Legalism makes us submit to human regulations that are destined to perish, leading us back into spiritual bondage. Paul urges us to live in the freedom Christ has given us, rather than returning to these worldly regulations. True freedom in Christ means living a life of grace, not being bound by man-made rules. Legalism enslaves us by making us believe that we must follow certain rules to be accepted by God, which ultimately leads to spiritual bondage.
Paul's message is a call to embrace the freedom that Christ offers. We are no longer bound by human regulations that have no eternal value. Instead, we are called to live in the grace and freedom that Christ provides. This freedom allows us to serve God out of love and gratitude, rather than fear and obligation. [48:07]
Colossians 2:20-23 (ESV): "If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations—'Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch' (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh."
Reflection: Are there any human regulations or rules that you feel bound by? How can you embrace the freedom that Christ offers and live a life of grace?
Day 4: The Temptation of Legalism
Legalism is tempting because it appeals to our self-righteousness, selfishness, independence, and desire to self-atone. However, it ultimately fails to deliver on its promises, leading us away from the grace and freedom found in Christ. We must recognize these temptations and choose to live in the grace of God. Legalism tempts us by making us believe that we can earn God's favor through our actions, which feeds our pride and self-righteousness.
Paul's message is a reminder that legalism is a trap that leads us away from the true gospel. It promises much but delivers little, leaving us feeling empty and disconnected from God's grace. By recognizing these temptations, we can choose to live in the freedom and grace that Christ offers, rather than falling into the trap of legalism. [58:44]
Galatians 5:1 (ESV): "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."
Reflection: In what ways are you tempted to rely on your own efforts to earn God's favor? How can you choose to live in the grace and freedom that Christ offers today?
Day 5: Embracing True Obedience
True obedience to God is not about earning His love but responding to the love we already have in Christ. Legalism distorts obedience, making it a form of acceptance and atonement. Instead, we should embrace obedience as a joyful response to God's love, living a life of grace and authentic devotion. True obedience is about responding to God's love with gratitude and joy, rather than trying to earn His favor through our actions.
Paul's message is a call to embrace true obedience, which is rooted in our relationship with Christ. When we understand that we are already loved and accepted by God, our obedience becomes a joyful response to His love. This kind of obedience is not burdensome but life-giving, allowing us to live authentically and freely in God's grace. [01:02:24]
1 John 5:3 (ESV): "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome."
Reflection: How can you shift your perspective on obedience from trying to earn God's love to responding to the love you already have in Christ? What practical steps can you take to live out this joyful obedience today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Legalism is when people put self-imposed rules on top of God's word and then they try to obey their religious rules in an effort to somehow win God's favor. Okay? And a lot of times, not always, but a lot of times, most of the time, people who are legalistic, they have this kind of idea, it's a twisted idea nonetheless, but they have this idea that, well, if I do the right things, then God will accept me. If I do the right things, then God will love me. If I do the right things, then I will get to be a part of God's kingdom." [23:09]
2. "Legalism is like a disease that infects and affects the church. Right? If the church is the body of Christ, and it is, legalism is like a disease that can infect the body. And just as cancer can kill the body, legalism can kill your faith. If you let it. If you let it." [24:08]
3. "Friends, legalism will attempt to kill your faith, because it will judge you. It will judge you for failing to live up to standards that God does. That God does not even require. And the legalists say, do this, or you're in sin. And God says, don't let anyone judge you." [39:25]
4. "Legalism will attempt to kill your faith because it'll condemn you. It'll condemn you for not doing things, holding standards that God doesn't even want you to hold. And the legalists will be like, you've got to do what we tell you to do. Or you're not spiritual. And God is like, forget all that. Just hold on to Christ." [47:34]
5. "Kill legalism or legalism will kill you. It's really that simple. You've got to kill it. Because if you don't, it'll kill you. It'll kill you. It'll kill you. It'll kill your faith. It'll judge you. It'll condemn you. It'll enslave you. It will kill authentic faith. So kill it before it kills you." [01:13:11]
### Quotes for Members
1. "What was happening, though, in the church in Colossae is that some of those early ancient legalistic Christians were saying, yeah, yeah, well, guess what? Actually, you can't eat whatever you want. We need to stay away from certain foods because those foods are unclean and those foods will defile you. And then they were like, well, wait a second. We thought Jesus changed all that. Well, yeah, don't listen to what he said. These foods are bad. And so they created, kind of like a moral standard regarding food." [30:04]
2. "And what legalism does is it tells me a lie that through my behavior I can make myself righteous. And it appeals to my self-righteousness. And so I'm like, oh yeah, it's kind of tempting to me because I want to somehow make myself look better. So that's one of the ways that it's tempting. Another is that legalism is tempting because it appeals to our selfishness. I don't really want to admit how needy and greedy I am, how selfish I am. And what legalism does is it appeals to my selfishness because it basically says, look, if I do these types of things, I can prove I'm valuable. And if I'm valuable, then I'll be loved and accepted." [59:11]
3. "And what legalism does is it creeps in and it just lies in all the demonic elements like lie to us in all these particular ways to try to get us to buy into it. And ultimately, what I would want you to understand is that legalism takes a good thing and distorts it. A desire to obey God is good. Right? Obedience to God is good. But what legalism does is it takes a desire for obedience or even obedience itself and distorts it because it makes obedience a form of acceptance, love, atonement. Basically, it says you need to do these things so that you'll be this kind of person so that God will respond to you this way." [01:02:24]
4. "The Christian life is not law, gospel, law. Here's what I mean by that. Law. You've sinned. You deserve damnation. Gospel. God intervened. Dies for your sin. Conquers the grave to give salvation. Law. Law. Because God has given you salvation you better live a good life or God's going to get mad at you and he's going to kick you out of the kingdom." [01:07:28]
5. "Obedience is wonderful. The Spirit moves in your life and calls you and invites you and helps you to learn to walk in obedience to God. But there is so much freedom, so much joy in the kind of obedience that God wants for us. And what legalism does is it just robs us of all joy and makes obedience something distorted." [01:04:04]
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