I am a huge fan of Google maps. It gets me were I want to go. My dad, however, doesn’t like using the digital maps app. He is old school and using bridges, fallen trees, and stone walls as observation points to get where he’s going. Paul in Galatians is helping us find our way to God. He doesn’t want to chance anything so he keeps reminding us that Jesus is the only thing to make us right with God. Don’t get lost and don’t be confused by vague or wrong directions. Jesus is the only way to be made right with God.
So many people in the world love to pair other things with Jesus, stating it’s that combination that gets you to heaven. Adding anything to Jesus though is false doctrine. Jesus plus nothing equals everything. So it makes me ask the question, “What makes legalism fascinating to people?
One. Legalism appeals to the flesh. I feel better about myself when I do something and don’t leave it up to someone else. Some folks have a mental condition called OCD. OCD is a mental health condition characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) that people feel driven to perform to reduce anxiety. So when I do something about my salvation, I feel really good about what I have done. I have less anxiety and less dependence on others.
Two. Legalism appeals to the senses. We have a chemical in our brain called dopamine. When we do something good, it releases and we “feel good.” You see this happen when you hold your spouse’s hand or give them a kiss. When you graduate from college or build a shed in your backyard. When we accomplish things, dopamine is released and we feel good about what’s going on in our life.
So, in our spiritual walk, when I do something that’s connected to my salvation, I feel good about what I have done, dopamine is released and creates a feeling of accomplishment. Many times in my spiritual walk, I do things, believing that’s part of my salvation journey. I’m adding to my “good works” and in doing so I believe I’m creating an avenue to get to God. But Paul is reminding us in Galatians, there is nothing you can do to make you right with God. Jesus did that for us and in him we find our righteousness.
Look. There are only two religions in the world: human achievement and divine accomplishment. Every single religion in the world falls under human achievement except for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Human religion says, “Work your way.” Divine accomplishment says, “I am the Way.”
See, Christ has rescued us from the world, sin, the Law. In Galatians 3:13, Paul uses this Greek word, “exagorazo” which means “out of the marketplace.” The imaginary Paul is using is so common in his day. You were a slave, chained and bound…you were not free. But then Jesus showed up at the slave block in the marketplace and bought you. In doing so, we took the key, unchained you and set you free. He didn’t use money but bought you with his blood.
Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” It’s in Christ that we have been made free. So, don’t add too God’s perfect plan in Christ by adding a checklist of things you have to do to be right with God. Jesus is the only thing we need to be perfect and right. In Jesus, you find real freedom. Blessings on the journey.