We conclude our series on legalism by looking at the only effective treatment for legalism, the Gospel. We know this because this is what Paul prescribed to the legalistic Galatians. Read and reread Galatians and you will see this. Only by experiencing, not merely theorizing about the Gospel, can we be free of legalism. Our experience of the Gospel must be on-going. It is not enough for us to have had even a profound salvation experience. The Gospel is for today! Today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2)!
One of the mistakes we Christians make is that we assume we understand what constitutes the Gospel. We think of it in theological instead of experiential terms. We appear to be satisfied with being able to talk about the Gospel as "God's righteousness in Christ" (Romans 3:22). We refer to being "justified by faith" (Romans 5:1). Yet we who can articulate the Gospel in biblical terms often do not continue to experience the Gospel.
Remember that God wants you to have a theology of His values so that you can experience them (See Exodus 33:13; Psalm 86:11; Isaiah 2:3). He wants you to have a theology of heaven so that you eventually go there. He wants you to have a theology of forgiveness so that you experience it. He wants you to have a "Gospel Theology" so that you daily experience the Gospel!
What then, does "Gospel" mean on a functional basis? The answer is that the Gospel is about receiving, not doing. When our focus is on doing, we are living out of the Law. The Law is good and holy, but it's not designed to help us with the doing aspect. The Law's purpose is to diagnose sin (Romans 3:20; 7:7). It's valuable to know when sin is lurking within. Only then are we likely to get it treated. When I learned a few years ago that I had skin cancer, I acted quickly to get it excised. I was fortunate that that was the only treatment I needed. I was glad it hadn't spread. So it is with sin. Early detection can lead to early treatment. The earlier you treat a sin problem, the less likely you are to have a hardened heart that doesn't want the treatment. Never use the Law to try to fix a sin problem. Let the Law simply identify a sin problem and then immediately, ask God to help you experience the Gospel afresh and anew. This is the journey.
I was asked just yesterday if I feared going to hell. I almost never think about hell anymore. I am thankful for that. This is because God has been helping me to live a Gospel-based life with a continual focus on receiving. As I receive, I then do. I do the Gospel because I receive the Gospel. Make sense?
I hope this series helps you to avoid the deadly danger of legalism. May your life be filled with grace, mercy and joy!
Recommended Reading: Accidental Pharisees, Larry Osborne