Chapter 8 - We Are Free From Religious Rules

Notes for "We Are Free From Religious Rules"

Introduction:

The subject of this week’s chapter may be as controversial as any topic that can be discussed in Christian circles. What is the relationship of believers to religious rules? Christians universally agree that keeping the law has nothing to do with salvation. We would all unanimously tell anybody who was trying to gain eternal life through his behavior that he was wasting his time and effort. But the controversy can get pretty hot, pretty quick when opinions about the Christian’s proper relationship to the law after he is saved are expressed!

Many who read where Joshua calls the people of God back to the law, see a compelling parallel for the church today. They are crying out for a return to biblical values to heat up the lukewarm condition of much of Christendom. Those who hold this view often stir up the emotions of sincere Christians who want to see revival in the church. Is this the real need of the church?

If we define legalism as building a lifestyle around a system of religious rules in an effort to produce spiritual progress or earn God’s blessing, can we identify a single example from human history where success has been achieved using that approach? Paul speaks of religious rules in Colossians 2:23 when he declares, They seem to be wise, but they are only part of a man-made religion. They make people pretend not to be proud and make them punish their bodies, but they do not really control the evil desires of the sinful self.

I personally believe that the real need of the church today is for Christians to understand their identity in Christ! When this becomes experiential reality, we will be set free to understand what Paul told the Corinthian Christians when he said, …this new agreement is not a written law, but it is of the Spirit. The written law brings death, but the Spirit gives life. (2Cor 3:6)

Galatians 3:1-3 You people in Galatia were told very clearly about the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. But you were foolish; you let someone trick you. Tell me this one thing: How did you receive the Holy Spirit? Did you receive the Spirit by following the law? No, you received the Spirit because you heard the Good News and believed it. You began your life in Christ by the Spirit. Now are you trying to make it complete by your own power? That is foolish.

In what ways do many in the modern church try to move forward in their lives by self-effort?

	Self discipline…bring the body and mind under submission
	Reading self-help books that offer "formulas" to achieve results
	Studying the Bible to more clearly define their beliefs
	Asking God to give them strength and to bless their efforts
	Starting a new "program" that "motivates"

The problem is not that these objectives are wrong, the problem is the source of energy…self or God.

John 17:3 And this is eternal life: that people know you, the only true God, and that they know Jesus Christ, the One you sent.

1 John 1:1-2 We write you now about what has always existed, which we have heard, we have seen with our own eyes, we have looked at, and we have touched with our hands. We write to you about the Word that gives life. He who gives life was shown to us. We saw Him and can give proof about it. And now we announce to you that He has life that continues forever. He was with God the Father and was shown to us.

What is the meaning of eternal life?

It describes a life with God that never ends and will be "outside" of time in heaven, but it also includes the abundant life that Jesus promised (John 10:10) and that begins immediately for those who believe on Him.

This chapter lists "biblical standards" embraced by one group of people. Around what rules have you attempted to build your own life?

	Sabbath observance
	Baptism (sins not forgiven unless)
	Abstinence from certain foods, tobacco products and alcohol
	Belief in certain "doctrines" (clothing, jewelry, theaters, dancing)

Does Hoffmantown have a set of rules to follow?

What does the Bible say about living by religious rules?

They seem to be wise, but they are only part of a man-made religion. They make people pretend not to be proud and make them punish their bodies, but they do not really control the evil desires of the sinful self. (Colossians 2:23)

The written law brings death, but the Spirit gives life. (2Corinthians 3:6)

Name and discuss two purposes of the law.

	The law is for unbelievers. But we know that the law is good if someone uses it lawfully. We also know that the law is not made for good people but for those who are against the law and for those who refuse to follow it. It is for people who are against God and are sinful, who are not holy and have no religion, who kill their fathers and mothers, who murder, who take part in sexual sins, who have sexual relations with people of the same sex, who sell slaves, who tell lies, who speak falsely, and who do anything against the true teaching of God. (1 Timothy 1:8-10)
	The law stimulates sin. The law came to make sin worse. But when sin grew worse, God’s grace increased. Sin once used death to rule us, but God gave people more of his grace so that grace could rule by making people right with him. And this brings life forever through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:20-21)
	The law ministers death and condemnation. The law that brought death was written in words on stone. It came with God’s glory, which made Moses’ face so bright that the Israelites could not continue to look at it. But that glory later disappeared. So surely the new way that brings the Spirit has even more glory. If the law that judged people guilty of sin had glory, surely the new way that makes people right with God has much greater glory. (2Corinthians 3:7-9)

Describe how you have felt when you’ve tried to live by religious rules.

My feelings covered the whole spectrum from superiority and arrogance to inferiority and hopelessness.

Next week we find out that in Grace Land, We Can Do As We Please!

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