WORD: OC's 60-Day New Testament Planಮಾದರಿ

There is No Legalism When We are Free in Christ

Acts is an incredible book that allows readers, centuries later, an inside look at Paul's life and the early church. It's a book of history and a continuation of the beauty that is found in the gospel. In chapters 21-25 we find Paul struck by adversity due to his neglect of what many Jews considered to be the correct form of upholding the law of Moses.

These chapters made me think of several things:
First, how awesome was it that Paul and his friends traveled from place to place only depending on the hospitality of others? He traveled from Cos, to Rhodes, to Caesarea and beyond. All the while, accepting the hospitality given to them by their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. While this is not the bulk of the story, nor the point, I think it is important to observe the way in which Paul traveled and depended on his community. An interesting thought to remember the next time you travel perhaps?

Second, wasn't the Jewish peoples’ legalism at the heart of the adversity for Paul? Maybe that legalism stemmed from pride, or some other selfish ambition, but were they not unwilling to forgive Paul because of his irreverence for the laws of Moses? Paul was practicing a faith that had been freed by Jesus's blood on the cross, yet he was condemned, imprisoned, and even wanted dead for his beliefs. How does that strike you?

These chapters remind me of times when I've been so fired up about this, that, or the other that I feel completely unwilling to compromise. When have I thought whatever I was doing was so right that any other option was absolutely wrong. Pride. Legalism. Selfishness. I don't want any of that.

Written By Katelyn Jackson
Student, Oklahoma Christian University