When you hear the word legalism, what comes to mind? 

Legalism is the belief that you can earn your salvation and grow in sanctification by good works purely out of your own efforts. Often, people who struggle with legalism push their preferences and stances on everyone else. To be clear, I am not talking about clear biblical commands; I’m talking about preferences. For example, a person might feel like it’s wrong to watch movies on Sunday. There’s nothing wrong with abstaining from watching a movie on Sunday, but if this person starts to think that everyone should not watch movies on Sunday and all those who do don’t love Jesus, that’s a problem. Sadly, legalism is one of the biggest contributors in driving people away from the church.

How have you experienced legalism in your life? 

In these verses, Peter reveals how the gospel works in your life. God changes who you are, then He changes what you do. He addresses our identity, then He addresses our activity. Legalism tries to invert those. It guilts you into trying to be perfect and working hard by your own efforts to make sure your halo doesn’t fall off.

Be honest, do you have any legalistic tendencies?

In 1 Peter 1:14, we are challenged, “Do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance.” One of the ways we go back to our “former ignorance” is by trying to rely on our own power to live out the Christian life. Often, people will trust God to save them by His power, but then they’ll try to follow Him for the rest of their lives by their own.

Holiness is more than a halo; it’s also avoiding legalism. 

The work of God is a start to finish process. He loves you so much that He wants you just how you are, but He also loves you so much that He isn’t going to leave you that way. You’re saved by His power, you’re changed by His power, you live by His power, and one day, you’ll be in heaven by His power. It’s all a complete work of God.

Read Philippians 1:6 and fill in the blanks. 

“I am sure of this, that he who                                   a good                          in you will carry it on to                                                 until the day of Christ                       .”

PRAYER MOVEMENTS

Hands Up

A sign of surrender.

• Read Exodus 15:11.

Spend time reflecting on the holiness of God. There is no one like Him. Surrender to the reality of who He is today, and do what this verse says—revere Him with praises.

Hands Open

A sign of emptying out.

• Read Leviticus 11:45.

The Lord who brought you out of the captivity of slavery to sin is holy, so He is calling you to be holy. Empty out by confessing anything that is not holy. Ask God to remove it by His power.

Hands Out

A sign of receiving.

• Read 1 Corinthians 1:30. 

The power of change comes from being in Christ Jesus. Receive this wisdom from God today. He is your righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.