Be Not Deceived

By Anonymous Author

October 30, 2015

What is the definition of the word ‘legalism’? Legalism refers to a doctrine whereby salvation is gained by good works rather than faith. It can mean that you are under the law instead of God’s grace for justification. To be justified means to be made right with God.

Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him  [Jesus] (Romans 5:9).

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24).

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith (Philippians. 3:9).

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound! Grace is a free gift meaning unmerited favor for sinful humanity! We are saved “By grace…through faith… “ (Ephesians 2:8): faith in what Jesus did on the cross!

I want to share with you a true story. There was an Amish man. He thought his two sons were disobedient because he wanted them to do this and that, and they weren’t performing the way he thought they should.

One night the Amish man had a dream. He and his sons came before Jesus. The Amish man noticed that his sons were saved, but he wasn’t. Why? He didn’t understand! He looked at Jesus.  Jesus looked down. Then the man looked, too. There was a stack of Bibles lying there. Jesus said, “You are under my law and not under grace.” In other words, he was trying to be justified by keeping the law.

Dear reader, search your own heart in this matter. Why am I doing what I am doing? Is there something I’m trying to do to find favor with God?

It is important that we seek God and find Him in prayer. We need to search for the truth, for the truth sets us free. Please study the book of Galatians, because Paul warns the people who were under the law saying, “You have turned to another Gospel.” It’s a blind spot for Christians. We should obey and serve Him because we love Jesus. Jesus saves us when our own works, the works of the law, cannot. He is mighty to save. When we turn to things and the works of law to save us, we are condemned. God looks at the heart. Jesus is the gate to Heaven.

The law was never meant to be the means for salvation. It was meant to show us our need for salvation. The truth sets us free from performing and trying to be perfect so we can make it to heaven. “My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (II Corinthians 12:9). Jesus knew we could never make it without Him. We stand naked and empty-handed with nothing to offer for our salvation.

Do you now understand?

Study the book of Galatians; it explains the vast difference between Law and Grace. Paul must have had a burden, and so do I. He said. “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth?”  (Galatians 3:1)?

Ask Jesus to come into your heart and forgive your sins. Tell Him that you accept His free gift of grace. Repent of your sins and ask Jesus to forgive you by His blood. Pray, “I surrender my life to you, Jesus; save me.”

- An Amish Sister

 

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