Podcasts about Legalism

In this powerful and healing episode, Keana explores what legalism looks like in the church, how it distorts our view of God, and how to break free from fear‑based faith. If you've ever felt like you had to earn God's love, perform perfectly, or follow endless rules to be accepted, this conversation will help you breathe again.Keana gently unpacks the emotional and spiritual impact of legalism, explains why so many believers struggle with shame and anxiety around God, and offers a path back to a relationship rooted in love, grace, and freedom. This episode builds on last week's message “Religion Cannot Save You, But God's Love Can” and continues the journey of rediscovering God's heart beyond religious pressure.You'll also receive five healing exercises to help you unlearn harmful beliefs, reconnect with God's love, and rebuild your identity on truth instead of performance.What You'll Learn in This EpisodeWhat legalism actually is and what it is notHow legalism shows up in church culture and teachingThe emotional and spiritual wounds legalism createsWhy legalism replaces relationship with rulesHow to separate God's character from harmful religious expectationsPractical steps to break free from fear‑based faithFive healing exercises to help you reconnect with God's loveFive Healing Exercises Included“God Is Love” Reframing PracticeInner Child Compassion PrayerScripture Detox ExerciseNervous System Reset for Spiritual TriggersIdentity Rebuilding Journal PromptsReflection QuestionsWhat beliefs about God were shaped by fear instead of loveWhere have I confused religious performance with spiritual connectionWhat parts of my faith feel heavy, pressured, or shame‑basedWhat does spiritual freedom look like for me nowWhat is one legalistic belief I'm ready to releaseFinal EncouragementLegalism may have shaped your view of God, but it does not define who God is. God is not the author of fear. He is the source of freedom. You don't have to earn His love. You just have to receive it.

Matthew - The King has Come "Love Or Legalism" (Matthew 12:1-14) In this episode of the McGregor Podcast, Peter Finch explores the powerful contrast between love and legalism through Matthew 12:1-14. He unpacks how Jesus confronted the Pharisees' strict, burdensome traditions and revealed God's true heart for mercy and compassion. Peter Finch discusses the dangers of legalism, highlighting its tendency to elevate man-made rules above loving others and true obedience to God. Listeners will be challenged to examine whether their faith is driven by heartfelt love or mere rule-keeping. The episode encourages believers to find true rest in Christ rather than striving for acceptance through works. Tune in for this compelling message on embracing love over legalism in your walk with God. Sermon Notes January 25, 2026 Peter Finch • Administrative Pastor   Presented by McGregor Podcast 2026 Visit Our Website at McGregorPodcast.com

What happens when faith feels more like rules than relationship?In this powerful episode of the Rooted in Christ Podcast, Eric Stephens sits down with Ana Murby to unpack a raw, honest testimony of walking away from Christianity—and being relentlessly pursued by God anyway.Ana shares her journey through a legalistic Christian upbringing, deep shame, pornography addiction, divorce, and feeling completely disqualified from God's love. Through brokenness, surrender, and radical honesty, she experienced true freedom—not through perfection, but through relationship with Jesus.This conversation tackles topics the Church often avoids, including:Legalism vs. genuine relationship with ChristPornography addiction among Christian womenShame, repentance, and restorationDivorce and God's grace in the aftermathWhy asking hard questions doesn't disqualify your faithHow God redeems what feels too far goneIf you've ever felt like:You messed up too badlyYou had to “clean yourself up” before coming back to GodYour doubts meant you weren't a real ChristianThis episode is for you.Nothing is beyond redemption. No one is too far gone.Listen on all major podcast platforms. Watch, like, share, and subscribe for more testimonies and conversations rooted in truth and grace.

Audio Transcript All right. Beautiful singing. I love that song. I love the lyrics and that they sing. And I hope that’s why you’re here this morning, that your soul is satisfied in just Jesus and him alone. And if it’s not, we hope that by the end of the service, you are. So one of the things that we talk about pretty often here is like the most important instrument that we have as a congregation for our music is the singing of you. And so as we sing, I do want to keep encouraging you to sing. Sing out. This is the most important thing, our singing time is us singing as a congregation. So beautiful singing once again. So I’ve not met you. My name is Aaron. I’m the preaching pastor here. And we’re glad that you’re with us on this very cold Sunday morning. So if you have a Bible with you, if you open up to the Gospel of Luke, continue in our study of Luke. Today, our text to study is going to be Luke 6:1, 11. If you don’t have a Bible with you, the pew Bibles are scattered throughout and they’re on page 502. And then if you’re visiting with us. So we do a style of preaching here called expository preaching. And so I’m going to read a passage, I’m going to pray, ask for the Lord’s blessing, and then we’re going to actually walk right back through the text. And so as you open your Bible, please do keep them open. So the most important thing I might say today is just me reading the Word and continue to communicate the Word to you. That’s the most important thing. So we want to hear God speak this morning. So Luke 6:1 through 11 on page 502, if you’re using one of the pew Bibles, So please to hear the words of our God. So Luke wrote, on a Sabbath, while he was going through the grain fields, disciples plucked and ate some heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands. But some of the Pharisees said, why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath? Jesus answered them, have you not read what David did when he was hungry? He and those who were with him, how he entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of presents. Was it not lawful for any but the priest to eat? And he also and also gave it to those with him. And he said to them, the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath. On another Sabbath in the synagogue was teaching. And a man who was there, whose right hand was withered, the scribes and Pharisees watched him to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath so they might find a reason to accuse him. He knew their thoughts. Said to the man with a withered hand, come stand here. He rose and stood there. Jesus said to them, I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or. Or to do harm, to save a life or to destroy it? After looking around at them, he said to him, stretch out your hand. And he did so, and his hand was restored. But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus. So that’s God’s word for us this morning. Let’s pray. God, it’s good to be here. For every Sunday that we can gather together as your people here at Red Village. It is a sweet gift from you and Lord, we pray that you would bless the preaching of your word for the glory of Christ and for our good God. Please help me to communicate the word correctly, to rightly divide the word of truth. Please be with the congregation. Please give them ears to hear what the Spirit is saying. And Lord, in this time, please just use it to bring glory to Christ. In his name we pray. Amen. So I think every so often it’s really important for us to think through the why or the purpose behind all that we do. Because what can happen over time, the why, the purpose of what we do can kind of get lost in ways that we just start doing things for the sake of doing things, where things that we’re doing perhaps end up taking a life on their own in ways that end up not being healthy, that can lead to us maybe become apathetic or arrogant. So as a church, it’s important to us to understand the why, the purpose, which I’m going to talk about more at the end of this time. But I say this to you up front just to kind of help set us up for our text of study today, which is a text where the people in the text clearly lost track of the why, the purpose, one of the more important aspects of their faith as they lost track of the why, the purpose of the Sabbath in ways that rather than the Sabbath existing for them and their arrogance, they started to like almost try to exist for the Sabbath, as in their arrogance, they tried to use the Sabbath as a means of their own self righteous gain before God, which was not the purpose of the Sabbath, why God created the Sabbath. So I’ll talk about this more in just a bit as well, but before we do, just to take a little bit of time, just to kind of help think through just some of the context before we dive into the passage. First, let me just the context of the passage I just went through. So I mentioned our text last week. The public ministry of Jesus is now in full swing, which is the ministry that kicked off in the region of Galilee where this public ministry of the Lord Jesus included like healing the sick, the lame, the blind, casting out demons. But the primary ministry that Jesus had was actually his preaching and teaching ministry, which often would take place in various synagogues, including one in our text today. And as the public ministry of Jesus was now on full swing, his popularity was spreading like wicked wildfire throughout the region as more and more began to wonder if indeed he Jesus was the long awaited, long anticipated Christ who was to come. And this led to more and more coming around Jesus, forming bigger and bigger crowds around him. However, even though his popularity was spreading questions, concerns about his ministry were also starting to like increase, particularly among the Pharisees and the scribes who were the religious leaders of the day. And these concerns that the Pharisees and scribes had to Jesus were on multiple fronts. Maybe share a few with you. One, the Pharisees scribes really did not like who Jesus was ministering to, which in the Gospel accounts included those with like some very deep negative social stigma tied to them. A few weeks back, if you were here, a text included Jesus healing a leper, which was like a painful, gross skin disease. He also heard a paralytic where the Pharisees seemed to imply that this paralytic suffered that because of some of his own sin. Last week may remember Jesus came to a tax collector named Levi. And as Jesus came to Levi was then to like shame him, but to actually call Levi to follow him, which Levi did, leaving everything to follow Jesus. And then after that, may you remember how Levi threw a great party for other tax collectors and other social outcasts with Jesus being the guest of honor at this party. If you remember, it was last week. So the tax collectors, they’re arguably like the most hated people in all of Israel because they were viewed as traitors. So for the Pharisees, like they hated these people, they hated who Jesus was ministering to with like all these deep social stigma tied to them because in their minds those type of people were to be like, avoided and shamed. Certainly not cared for, loved on, certainly not shown any type of mercy. Second, the Pharisees had concerns about Jesus because they rightly understood that as Jesus ministered, Jesus did so in ways that he was claiming divine authority that he is God in the flesh, which Jesus can do. Because we see all throughout the New Testament, including Luke, that yes, indeed, Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us, that Jesus is the great God man, fully God, fully man, which we actually see again in our text today. We see this both in his divine actions of healing a man, also in his divine words in our text today, as he refers himself as the Son of man, who is the Lord over the Sabbath. However, for the Pharisees, even though throughout the Old Testament that they claim to love, even though the Old Testament pointed to a God man who had come to save his people, even though from his birth Jesus fulfilled these promises and prophecies of the Old Testament that he was the God man who was to come, the Pharisees fully rejected Jesus. They fully rejected him being the fulfillment. They rejected that indeed he was the Christ Messiah. And because they rejected who Jesus is and what he came to do, they just hated him. Third, the Pharisees also had concerns about Jesus, didn’t improve his ministry. They hated him in ways because of how Jesus would confront their own sin, sinful hearts. So over and over again, including our text today, the Pharisees would try to trap Jesus, only for Jesus to turn things back on them. However, as Jesus confronted their hearts, rather than humbling themselves before him, rather than confessing their sin in their pride, they became more and more violent towards Jesus in the rejection of him. They hated how Jesus confronted them in their sin, because they hated that not only did they reject him, they would work hard to try to convince others to reject him and as well. Okay, so that’s a little bit of our context, our passage. So Jesus ministry is growing, crowds around him is growing. But the hatred from the religious leaders also was growing as they’re seeking, like, every opportunity they could to like discredit the Lord Jesus and his ministry. So that’s kind of his text. Second, let me also just give you some context or some handles on the Sabbath, which is going to be at the center of our passage today. So the word Sabbath basically means, like to cease or to rest. And this ceasing, this rest, the Sabbath is something we first see on the seventh day of creation in the book of Genesis. Okay? So if you read through the creation account, so the preceding six days, so God is at work where he not only creates the heavens, the earth, but then he fills the heavens and the earth, including filling with mankind who is the pinnacle of his creative work. As He, God created mankind in his very image. And this took place on the sixth day, but then on the seventh day of creation as God finished His creative work. We read in Scripture that God ceased from the work. He rested with creation, in particular with mankind, who has mentioned created in his image. And this rest that God had with mankind was not because he was like dog tired from a long six days of creative work. Rather, God rested with mankind, rested with the creation to enjoy mankind to enjoy his creative work as God was pleased with which he created, making the seventh day of creation, this day of rest, a picture of fellowship, a picture of harmony and peace that God enjoyed with that which he created. However, if you’ve read through Genesis, you know that by the time we get to Genesis 3, we see this, the Sabbath fellowship, the Sabbath rest with mankind creation, we see that it was lost because mankind rebelled against God, rebelled against God’s design that he gave them, which was to obey him joyfully because they sinned. And this sin separated mankind from God and brought a curse to the earth, causing the Sabbath rest to be lost. Okay, now, if you’re with us over a year ago, you may remember we went to the book of Hebrews. And you may remember in much of that study of Hebrews, the Old Testament is like a quest trying to figure out how do we get rest back. Now for this time here, I won’t mention all the different pictures of rest found in the Old Testament outside of one, which is important for our text to study today, which is the fourth commandment, which is a commandment to remember the Sabbath day. This is from Exodus 20, where the Ten Commandments are found. So it’s in the fourth commandment it says, remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do your work. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it, you should not do any work. You or your sons or your daughters, your male servant, your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is with you within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is in them, and and rested on the seventh day. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. So the Sabbath is a commandment we are to keep, but within that. This commandment, like all other commandments, was designed actually to be a blessing from God to his people. A blessing that was meant to help them remember the holiness of God and the worship that we designed to give to him a blessing, to give them rest to their bodies, our physical bodies. We can’t just like, go, go, go, go, go. Like, we need rest, physical rest, emotional rest. Mental rest from our labors. So Sabbath helped provide for that. And Sabbath is also a blessing to help mankind just to remember back to creation and the Sabbath rest that we’ve been created for, which is a Sabbath rest by which we live in fellowship and harmony with God. And because the Sabbath was a blessing by God to his people, man was not created for the Sabbath. That’s not why the Sabbath existed. Rather, the Sabbath was created for mankind. Say it again. It’s a blessing to mankind from a good God. That’s the why of the Sabbath, a gift from God to mankind. As we’ll see in our passage, the Pharisees today completely missed the why of the Sabbath, which caused them to completely miss this blessing that was given to them from God. And because they missed the why, they tried to use the Sabbath as like a fuel for their own pride and their own arrogance, where they tried to make the Sabbath become something that was not intended to be, something like, for their own self righteous gain. So that is the intro. But if you want to look back with me in our text, starting in verse one, so read these words. It says on the Sabbath, while he, meaning Jesus, while he was going through the grain fields, his disciples plucked and ate some heads of grain. And then rubbing them in their hands, with rubbing the hands was how they would remove like the outer chaff before eating. Now for us, perhaps nothing seems wrong here. Jesus, disciples, they’re hungry and there is no like prohibition from like eating on the Sabbath. So nothing concerned here. This is not like biblically wrong. In fact, even in the book of Leviticus, there’s provisions given to pluck heads of grain with one’s hand on the Sabbath. Now I will mention that there are prohibitions in the Old Testament of using like a sickle to cut the heads of grain on the Sabbath, because the plucking is more of a provision to help like get them through the day, where the sickle have been more of like a tool that have been used to provide for like food for like multiple days of work. So what they’re doing here though, just plucking with the heads of grains with their hands. So biblically there’s nothing wrong here. However, for the Pharisees this was a great concern, and it was a great concern to them because they viewed this act being done by disciples as an act of work defined by what was called the misna, which is a list of like 39 additional rules and regulations to what scripture laid out. Where these additional rules and regulations were given in part to help put together like A tighter, more specific regulations on what work was on the Sabbath. Thus, according to these rules, regulations, the disciples of Jesus were breaking the Sabbath by plucking and then rubbing with their hands. For the Saraces, this action broke the Sabbath and this call to rest from one’s labor. Now, let me pause a couple things here I think should challenge us. So first, there’s a ministry that helps with, like, teaching preaching called the Simeon Trust, which is named after an old preacher named Charles Simeon. So we don’t have time to. For me to tell you about his ministry, but I would recommend looking up and reading more about him, Charles Simeon. He has a great ministry. So now in this ministry, Simeon Trust, there’s a training called first principles. And I know some of you have gone through that. And for me, the most helpful lesson in first principles revolves around what they call the line of Scripture. So, like preachers, teachers of the Word, even us as Bible readers, we’re to stay on the line to communicate what the text communicates. Because this temptation will always be to go above or below the line. So to go below the line, according to the training, it’s like to ignore the commands of scripture, to ignore clear teachings in scripture, maybe because they’re uncomfortable to us, or maybe we don’t approve of them, or the other temptation is actually to go above the line of Scripture. According to the training, we start to add to the commands the teachings of Scripture, as if what Scripture says is not enough, so we need to, like, add to it. And this is what the Pharisees were doing here. So Scripture taught one could pluck grains from a field by hand, not with a sipical, but of concern that perhaps people abuse the provision of plucking by hand. Perhaps the rubbing of the hands is too much. We better add more safety rails here. So let’s add to the commandment. Let’s go above the line of Scripture and limit any and all acquiring of grain, any and all rubbing of hands, right? Better be safe to go above the line than to fail by going below the line. Now, there’s kind of a common buzzword in church life, the word legalism. And this can mean a lot of things to a lot of people, where for some, they use, like, the term legalism to almost like, justify, like, going below the line to kind of do whatever they want to do because, you know, they don’t want to be illegalistic. But I think the right way to use this term legalism is simply adding to what Scripture says in ways that we, like, go above the line, where the Additions become as important, if not more important, to what Scripture says itself. So in the end, going above the line, that’s illegalism. In the end, it’s actually similar to going below the line and ignoring Scripture because neither side actually honors God in his Word. Neither side above or below, trusts the truth of what Scripture says. Neither side actually holds to the sufficiency of God’s Word. Second, just on this note, I think we need to understand how easy it is to go above or below this line. First time here, let me just think specifically about going above the line, which is true of our text today. So here’s a command from God, remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. So perhaps there’s, like, thoughts of, like, good intentions. Hey, let’s do all that we can do to put guardrails in place to ensure that this happens. However, these guardrails become more and more over time. Over time, the why behind the guardrails completely lost. The guardrails become the focus, the standard, not the original command. And for us, we could do this as a host of different things. Maybe in our culture think of, like, movies or music or alcohol or how we dress, or maybe even how we, like, interact with those who are not Christians. So we know there’s commands out there, biblical principles connected to these things. I just mentioned in our culture that maybe we have to think through, which are commands, principles that we certainly want to follow. We might understand there’s dangers for not following them in ways that we maybe go below the line. But what can easily happen, all these guardrails become more and more where we become, like, more and more tight with more and more things. And all we begin to think about now is this new standard that, like, we set, where the original command, the original principle, is now lost, leaving us, like, really tightly wound up, where we now begin to, like, pridefully judge everyone who is not tightly as wound as we are. Or what else can happen is over time, we just become, like, apathetic to everything, apathetic to, like, any and all rules, because we completely lost track of the why. So we just throw our hands up in the air and we completely abandon, like, Scripture and what it commands in our text. The Pharisees, they’re really tightly wound, tightly wound with, like, deep, prideful judgment of others. In the end, they’re completely missing what scripture taught in their attempt to follow Scripture. You know, there’s a blog I read a few years back, it said you become, like, so biblical where you’re going above and beyond or above and beyond the line. And attempt to like, follow Scripture, I’m going to be so biblical that in the end you actually become like, unbiblical. Once again, that’s the Pharisees. At all costs, they’re going to follow the Sabbath. But in the end, they’re becoming more and more unbiblical in this attempt. Third, let me also just mention, just to be fair and to be clear, going below the line can also lead you to really awful places. It’s not just above the line. Legalism has problems, but that’s what our text is today. This is a cautionary tale. To go above the line in ways, you become like, legalistic. Okay, say more here, bro. Let’s move on. Verse 2, we see the Pharisees came to Jesus, his disciples, to confront them for not meeting their legalistic standard and what they were doing with the grains in the field. And this here, it kind of gets a sense in Luke that kind of like everywhere Jesus went, there’s almost like these like, assigned Pharisees, like, following them around, where it almost felt like their entire existence to try to call out Jesus and what they felt he was doing wrong to try to trap him. Man, I was thinking about this week. This had to be so annoying. Like, everywhere Jesus went, you know. Here are his critics for following him. The text. As Pharisees went to confront Jesus, disciples, we see that he said to them with a tone of judgment and arrogance and pride, why are you doing this? This is not lawful for you to do on the Sabbath, at least not according to their standards. This here, this is another attempt by the Pharisees to catch Jesus and what they deemed like catch him red handed. Another attempt to discredit him disciples, his ministries. However, in this conversation, yet again, Jesus turns things back on them in ways. Actually, we’re discrediting them. Verse 3, we see Jesus respond not in direct ways to their question, to the arrogance, to the pride, but maybe in a little bit more indirect way where Jesus, like, responds by using a story of scripture to prove his point. So the text, Pharisees, you know, the story about David, scripture, you know, maybe, maybe you didn’t read this one. I think you have, but maybe, maybe you remember this one, you know, the one where he was like on the run from evil King Saul. And when he was on the run, remember how he became hungry along with others who were with him. And, and this is a story from 1st Samuel 21:1 that no doubt the Pharisees would have known. Remember how while they were hungry in the run, how David entered into the house of God and how he took and ate of the bread of the presence, which high priest Elimelech allowed for them to do so. Can I ask you, Pharisees, was that not unlawful for David to do that? After all, the bread of presence was not allowed for the priest to eat. In that story, David took give it to those who are with him. So, Pharisees, let me ask you, was that wrong for David to do? Was it wrong for the priest to let that happen? I mean, do you think the priest should have told David his hungry men, sorry, it’s not for you. You must just keep going on in your hunger. What Jesus is doing here in the story is, first, so in the strictest letter of the law, sure, it would have been unlawful for David for Elimelech to distribute bread in this fashion. However, second, Jesus point out that the letter of the law should not be removed or divorced from the spirit of the law. The why of the law, where in the end the law is there to be a blessing from God, a blessing to not only help us love and honor God, but but also to help us to love and honor others. That’s the why. So in the story of David, the spirit of law was there to show David his friends, like, they needed mercy in that moment, right? They’re hungry, they needed mercy, and that’s what Elimelech gave them. He let them eat the food that they needed to save their life to keep going. For the Pharisees, mercy was just not a part of who they were. And backing up. No mercy to the leper, no mercy to the paralytic, no mercy to Levi in our text last week. No mercy to the other tax collectors and social outcasts who Levi threw the party for in our text today. No mercy towards Jesus, his disciples who are hungry, even though what they were doing biblically actually was not wrong in the first place, for the Pharisees, it was wrong in their own eyes. First morning for us, maybe a little litmus test. When we see someone in need, which can come on a lot of different fronts, do we desire to show them mercy or do we just want to, like, hammer them with like, the strictest letter of the law that we can get to a standard. They’re not that we feel they’re not living up to now, as I say that I’m not advocating for, like, enabling, which is not an act of mercy, but it’s actually an act of putting burdens on when we try to enable people. But we should seek to show real mercy to those who are in need, we are able to help those who we can in ways that actually in the end doesn’t hurt them. Keep going to the text, verse 5. So the Pharisees are not already angry and frustrated towards the Lord Jesus as He confronted them for their lack of mercy. What he says next would have only made them that much more angry and that much more frustrated. Where in the text he declared them the Son of Man was a title that he already referred to himself in Luke, a title ground in the Old Testament. The Old Testament pointed to a God man is to come. The Son of Man in the text is the Lord of the Sabbath. Now why this is so frustrating for the Pharisees to hear, Jesus makes the segregation a couple things here. First, they would have hated Jesus continued to declare himself as being the great God man, even though that’s what we see all throughout Scripture as he declared himself to be the Son of Man, the Lord of the Sabbath. Second, as Jesus declared himself to be the Lord of the Sabbath, not only is he declaring himself to be greater than the Sabbath day, but he also declared that the rest that the Sabbath was to picture and point to from the seventh day of creation. Jesus is now declaring that rest between God and man is fulfilled in him. That he is the means by which we find rest with God. He’s the answer of the question of the Old Testament. How do we get rest back? It’s not in ourselves. It’s not in trying to keep the law. It’s not in trying to keep some type of like standard of self righteousness by our own effort. It’s not by keeping the Sabbath. Rather in this declaration by the Lord Jesus, he’s saying to follow the Sabbath would lead you to find Him. Because ultimately he is the Sabbath. He’s the why. The Sabbath, it is through him, in him alone. That’s how we find rest with God. Which is why Jesus calls out for all to hear, including all here today. Come to me, all who labor and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. For I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Once again for the Pharisees, Jesus making this declaration this way he could fuel to the flames of hate that was burning deeply in the heart. This is what legalism always does when confronted with Jesus. Legalism hates Jesus because Jesus exposes that we can’t do it. Rather we must by faith come to him, the one who did it for us Hebrew 1, verse 6. We see now in the text we’re on to a different Sabbath where the Pharisees are still after Jesus, still trying to catch him red handed, still trying to discredit him, his ministry. We see on another Sabbath, Jesus entered into a synagogue. And as he entered in, he did what is mentioned earlier became his custom to do. And he went in to teach, to preach, to preach God’s word as one with authority. In that particular Sabbath, we see there’s a man in the synagogue whose right hand was withered and true to form because Jesus was there. The Pharisees scribes are also on the scene. And on the particular Sabbath, they’re also there at the synagogue, as I mentioned, trying to continue to trap the Lord Jesus. And as they’re inside the synagogue, they began to watch this man with withered hand to watch Jesus, to see if Jesus would heal on the Sabbath. You know, for me, in my mind, I can kind of just see the Pharisees and scribes in the back of the synagogue, like kind of looking around, whispering among themselves if there’s any potential candidates for Jesus to heal on the Sabbath. And as they whispered around, you know, kind of wondered in my mind if, you know, they maybe zeroed in on this man with a withered hand. They began to like, question like, I wonder if that’s the one that Jesus is going to heal today. Verse 8. As Pharisees, maybe we’re zeroing in on whether this man with a withered hand would be the one that Jesus would healed. We see that Jesus started to like zero in on them, the Pharisees, he began to zero in their hearts as our text tells us, like he knew their thoughts. And as Jesus knew their thoughts, he yet again turns things back on the Pharisees. Jesus calls out to the man with the withered hand. You over there. Yeah, he’s you, the one with the withered hand. Come stand up here with me. And his call, Jesus went forth. The man did what Jesus called him to do in the text. He rose from where he was seated and he stood, instructing him to stand right swimming right next to the Lord, like right in front of everyone where no doubt everyone can see him. For me, it gets sent in the text that Jesus didn’t want anyone, particularly the Pharisees, to miss that which he was about to do. Verse 9 of the text. So the man standing up front next to him, Jesus turns the congregation to the Pharisees and can you answer me a question on this Sabbath? Want to ask you this Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save a life or to destroy it? I keep saying the Pharisees are trying to trap Jesus, but this question, but Jesus is now actually trapping them. We’re in this trap. Everyone, including the Pharisees would admit doing good is more important than doing harm. Saving a life is more important than destroying it. And this is really kind of the question that is in line with the story of David and the hungry men who ate the bread of presents. It was more important to do good to them on the Sabbath. Jesus gave his question with the obvious answer, important to do good to save. Jesus now further stressed the importance of mercy and love towards others as the entire law is boiled down into two commandments, to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. And the second is like it, to love your neighbor as yourself. So at the scene on the Sabbath, as Jesus continues to fulfill the law by showing love and mercy, he does so to this man. Verse 10. As everyone in the room is looking at him, as everyone probably is quiet, and as Jesus gave his question in verse nine, Jesus turns to the man sitting next to him and says to him, man, stretch out your hand once again. As the call of Jesus went forth, the man did what Jesus asked. By faith he stretches out his hand. And as he does so, it was restored, healed. Restored. He healed by the power and the authority of the great God man, Jesus Christ. It was restored, healed by the mercy and the love of the great God man, Jesus Christ. And now for us you would think this would have been to the praise and wonder for all who are present to see this incredible act of love and mercy and power and authority of Jesus Christ. However, as Jesus did this great act for this man who was in need of the hearts of the Pharisees, we see still they’re not softened towards Christ. They still didn’t see like the errors of their way. They still didn’t understand the law, the Sabbath, the why. So our text ends today, verse 11, we see that they became feel or filled with fury and they started to discuss among themselves what they might do to Jesus. You know, as thick headed and as proud as the Pharisees were there even them were being understand that their strategy of trying to catch Jesus red handed like was not working. So even here they’re starting to understand they needed a new strategy if they’re ever to get rid of Jesus Christ, which we know over time became a strategy so filled with hate and fury that their strategy would lead them to kill Jesus Christ, which they finally would end him, his ministry, his influence over his people. But we also know that, that even that completely backfired on them because it’s actually through the death and the resurrection from the dead on the third day. That’s the reason why Jesus came. That is how his ministry would be fulfilled, how his mission to save his people from their sins would be fulfilled. How through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That’s how he would be restored back to fellowship with God so that we might have rest. Now, as I close this time, I do want to close by asking maybe a few like, why questions and some answers to this, and then we’ll close. So first question, maybe you’re kind of thinking this is so why do we not keep the Sabbath? So the church, we obviously don’t meet on Saturdays. And this is actually one of the commandments, right? One of the ten commandments. Remember the Sabbath day, the commandment that was actually given by God for our good. So why do we not meet on the Sabbath? The reason why relates to Jesus being the Lord of the Sabbath, where, yes, Jesus came to fulfill the entire law, but he uniquely fills the Sabbath as Jesus is our rest. So in the New Testament, like all the ten Commandments are spoken about in ways that they’re still binding on us today. Still expectation that God has for mankind in order to follow him that are for our good. That is, with the exception of the Sabbath. So New Testament, there’s no command for us to follow the Sabbath because as mentioned, Jesus uniquely fulfilled the Sabbath as he is the Lord of the Sabbath. So everyone, this is why we don’t meet on Saturdays, but we meet on Sundays. And in fact, we see this all throughout New Testament, all throughout church history. God’s people, Christians gather on Sunday. Sundays, not Saturdays, with Sundays being referred to like the Lord’s Day, as Sunday helps us remember the day that Jesus Christ rose again from the dead. So now Sundays, like the Sabbath, the Old Testament is the day that Christians are to set aside to worship, right? This is why we don’t forsake the assembly of believers. We gather together every Sunday to worship. This is why Sunday, the Lord’s day, right? This is supposed to be a benefit to us to rest from our labors. So when Sunday we not only remember back to creation, but remember Jesus, the new creation that he comes to give. If you wonder why, that’s why. Second, so why is the line of scripture so important for us to stick to? So something I talked about a little earlier, you know, this Line of Scripture do not go above, not go below. And the main reason why we want to stick to the line of Scripture, to not add to it, not take it away. Because going on either side of the line, not only is it take away from the truth of scripture, but when you go on either side, what happens is we stop seeing Jesus, our need for Him. And this is certainly true of our text today in the Pharisees, they just could not see Jesus for who he is. They certainly did not see their need for Him. The rest that he alone can offer says for us to read and apply Scripture, particularly when it comes to the commands of Scripture as we read them. Do we read them in ways that we see Jesus, where our hearts are full of praise and worship towards him, where our hearts become full of love for God and love for others in more meaningful ways which lead to another why? Question. So why is it important for us to stay focused on the weightier matters of the law? Because this is something that Jesus actually later on confronts the Pharisees on and their attempt to try to keep the law through tithing, where they’re so like hyper focused on every little aspect of tithing like they were in our text with the Sabbath, that tithing becomes like, almost like way too much, where they completely lost the weightier manners of the law. Like loving God, loving others, showing mercy, showing kindness to others, when their attempt to become so biblical with tithing, to become unbiblical with weightier matters of the law. So for us, yes, clearly we want to follow the Scriptures, whatever Scripture commands us to do, but we want to do so in ways with the weightier matters of law. Love, mercy, kindness towards others is at the center. This is the last why. So why is all this so important? The answer is simple. So why is this all important? The answer is Jesus, his wooden cross, empty tomb, things that mean everything to us, right? That’s the why for us. What Jesus did, all these things he did for us, if they continue to mean everything to us, we must keep him at the center of the why of all that we do, that we do. So maybe we want to ask, so why are we here this cold morning? Why? Because of Jesus, that’s why. The worship of him, that’s why. So why do we do all the different ministries that we do, even though at times these ministry can leave us weary? Why? Right? It’s because Jesus, because He means everything to us. Why do we seek to share the Gospel with the world around us? Why? It’s because of Jesus. This, his love for us compels us to now want to love others like who he is, what he has done for us. That’s at the why of our entire existence as a church. That’s why. This morning, if you know you’ve been living above the line, maybe you can kind of like resonate with the Pharisees. Like you’re so wound up tight that you’re missing, like, the weightier matters of the law, maybe even more so you’ve been missing Jesus the rest and the joy that he alone can offer. Let me invite you to humble yourself and just confess your sin and come back to Jesus, knowing that all who by faith come to him will be forgiven. And friends, if you came here looking like the Pharisees from the text, don’t leave here still looking like one. Rather come to Jesus and leave here looking more and more like Him. Church, may God give us the grace to stay on the line of Scripture so we might find and continue to find our rest in him, the great Lord of the Sabbath. Let’s pray. Lord, thank you for Jesus. Lord, please help us to set our eyes on him. And Lord, you’ve given us many good commandments. And so, Lord, please help us to follow them, knowing that they’re good. Help us not lose track of the why behind them and how in the end, not only for our good, but they all lead us to Christ. Pray so in Jesus name, amen. The post Lord of the Sabbath – Luke 6: 1-11 appeared first on Red Village Church.

Greg describes two types of legalism, then he answers questions from callers about overcoming anxiety about addressing controversial topics in the church, and how to tell the difference between claiming a legitimate promise of God and the prosperity gospel.   Topics: Commentary: Two types of legalism (00:00) How can I overcome my anxiety about saying something controversial in the church? (31:00) Is there a way to tell the difference between claiming a legitimate promise of God and the prosperity gospel? (51:00) Mentioned on the Show:  The Story of Reality: How the World Began, How It Ends, and Everything Important that Happens in Between by Greg Koukl The Story of Why God Died and Came to Life Again by Greg Koukl Reality Student Apologetics Conference – February 20–21 in Dallas, TX; March 13–14 in Philadelphia, PA; April 24–25 in Los Angeles, CA Related Links: Answering an Objection to Grace: Why Not Sin? by Amy Hall The Law Is Good by Amy Hall What Is the Gospel? by Greg Gilbert How Can I Know Which Bible Promises Apply to Me? by Amy Hall Promises We Can't Claim. Promises We Can. by Greg Koukl

Grace is central to our faith yet its meaning is often confused. Mixed messages can leave us in a tug-of-war between “doing nothing” and “trying harder” to earn God's favor. What is grace actually and how does it affect our daily apprenticeship to Jesus?Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi unpack what they've learned about grace from Dallas Willard. Discover how grace can go beyond “undeserved merit” and become fuel for your life, relationships, and ministry. You can set aside pretending, presuming, and pushing to respond to grace and join God's activity in everything you do! (If you want to go deeper into the insights we gained from Dallas Willard, we invite you to join us on a retreat or train to become a spiritual director with Soul Shepherding. You can learn more by following the links below.)Resources for this Episode:Your Best Life in Jesus' Easy Yoke: Rhythms of Grace to De-Stress and Live EmpoweredAttend a Soul Shepherding RetreatEarn a Certificate in Spiritual DirectionDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

The Other Human in the Room is on hiatus! For the next 3 months, you'll still be getting weekly episodes on your podcast feeds - but they'll all be re-releases of past favourites. I'm using this time to dream and explore new ideas and directions for the podcast. See you in March!Do you get stressed about following the guidelines? Or notice other colleagues seem stressed if anyone strays off the guidelines? Commute to work with Joan as she explores the idea of guidelines legalism and how we can trust our clinical brains in the midst of guideline confusion. Learn more about Hippocratic Collective: https://hippocraticcollective.org/Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanchanmd

Send us a textThe letter to the churches in that region called "Galatia" defends the freedom of Christ from legalism or unreasonable rules.  The Apostle Paul ministered to the cities in this region on his missionary journeys resulting in the Gospel taking root in several cities.  However teachers came in after Paul and persuaded the new believers to follow their way of teaching involving adhering to the law of Moses despite the fact there were many Gentiles among the believers.  Paul defends this freedom from Legalism in this letter.  

God Centered Concept Discipleship Series is now live. Our book, "Embracing the Truth" is now in Presale. Go to our website to learn how to purchase Help support us by purchasing your copy today. Also to have TS Wright speak at your event or conference or if you simply want spiritual or life coaching or just a consultation visit:www.tswrightspeaks.comVisit our website to learn more about The God Centered Concept. The God Centered Concept is designed to bring real discipleship and spreading the Gospel to help spark the Great Harvest, a revival in this generation.www.godcenteredconcept.comKingdom Cross Roads Podcast is a part of The God Centered Concept.In this engaging conversation, Pastor Tim Estes shares his journey from a legalistic upbringing in a Pentecostal pastor's home to embracing grace and leading a thriving church. He discusses the importance of legacy, the principles taught in his legacy class, and the significance of grace in ministry. Pastor Tim also introduces his book, 'Grace Morph,' which details his transition and the scriptural foundations for his beliefs. The conversation highlights the impact of community, the importance of prayer for pastors, and the transformative power of grace in the lives of individuals and the church.Pastor Tim Estes information:www.nlcss.comTakeawaysPastor Tim emphasizes the importance of legacy in life.He shares his struggles with legalism in his upbringing.The legacy class helps young men understand their impact.Grace is central to Pastor Tim's message and ministry.Character and integrity are crucial for leaving a legacy.Financial health is important for a fulfilling life.The spouse you marry is a significant decision.Pastors face unique challenges and need support.Sanctification is a lifelong process of grace.The book 'Grace Morph' addresses the transition from legalism to grace.

At Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Charleston, SC, we welcomed Rev. Caleb Willingham to the pulpit, preaching from Titus.

Full Text of Readings The Saint of the day is Saint Raymond of Peñafort Saint Raymond of Peñafort's Story Since Saint Raymond of Peñafort lived into his hundredth year, he had a chance to do many things. As a member of the Spanish nobility, he had the resources and the education to get a good start in life. By the time he was 20, he was teaching philosophy. In his early 30s he earned a doctorate in both canon and civil law. At 41 he became a Dominican. Pope Gregory IX called him to Rome to work for him and to be his confessor. One of the things the pope asked him to do was to gather together all the decrees of popes and councils that had been made in 80 years since a similar collection by Gratian. Raymond compiled five books called the Decretals. They were looked upon as one of the best organized collections of Church law until the 1917 codification of canon law. Earlier, Saint Raymond of Peñafort had written for confessors a book of cases. It was called Summa de Casibus Poenitentiae. More than simply a list of sins and penances, it discussed pertinent doctrines and laws of the Church that pertained to the problem or case brought to the confessor. At the age of 60, Raymond was appointed archbishop of Tarragona, the capital of Aragon. He didn't like the honor at all and ended up getting sick and resigning in two years. He didn't get to enjoy his peace long, however, because when he was 63 he was elected by his fellow Dominicans to be the head of the whole Order, the successor of Saint Dominic. Raymond worked hard, visited on foot all the Dominicans, reorganized their constitutions and managed to put through a provision that a master general be allowed to resign. When the new constitutions were accepted, Raymond, then 65, resigned. He still had 35 years to oppose heresy and work for the conversion of the Moors in Spain. He convinced Saint Thomas Aquinas to write his work Against the Gentiles. In his 100th year, the Lord let Raymond retire. Reflection Raymond was a lawyer, a canonist. Legalism can suck the life out of genuine religion if it becomes too great a preoccupation with the letter of the law to the neglect of the spirit and purpose of the law. The law can become an end in itself, so that the value the law was intended to promote is overlooked. But we must guard against going to the opposite extreme and seeing law as useless or something to be lightly regarded. Laws ideally state those things that are for the best interests of everyone and make sure the rights of all are safeguarded. From Raymond, we can learn a respect for law as a means of serving the common good.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

1 Timothy 1:3-17 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer  4 or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God's work—which is by faith.  5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk.  7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm. 8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers,  10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine  11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me. 12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.  13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.  14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.  16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.  17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.   New Year.  Same Core.     1 Timothy 1:15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. We affirm that these doctrines make up the distinctive nature and core center circle of Christianity: the Trinity (God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) the deity of Jesus Christ the atoning, liberating work of Christ on the cross the bodily resurrection of Jesus and salvation by grace through faith.     At the core isn't an idea. At the core is Jesus.    We are not merely to be believers of ideas, but disciples of Jesus.     At the core isn't a checklist for sinners.   At the core is a Savior for sinners.   Legalism does not compare to the love of God.     At the core isn't earning. At the core is following.   Obedience should flow from internal transformation, not external constraint.

We share how a rule-shaped faith gave way to a Spirit-led life. Torie's steady devotion and mission work collide with Jonathan's raw honesty about addiction, and together we discover that grace, not effort, breaks chains and heals shame.• growing up Adventist, performance and reputation• mission years in Bolivia, language and leadership struggles• COVID challenges, visas, and resilience• Jonathan's curiosity, partying, and rebaptism tension• legalism vs grace, confusion and burnout• the vulnerable email about porn and shame• gospel reframes in Romans and the epistles• freedom from law as Spirit-led life• community that feels like heaven on earth• loving counsel to our younger selves

The Word of the Day with Rene' Holaday for Tuesday 12-30-25: Part 2, Colossians 2:8-23: "Not Legalism But Christ" and "He Nailed SIN to the Cross, Not the Law!!"  What's the difference between Legalism and keeping The Law of the 10 Commandments, like Jesus instructs us to do?  Come and see!  That question is defined in the Biblical notes from the Bible today.  You are going to be glad you watched today's episode, as it CORRECTLY defines what Paul meant in this chapter about both these subjects.  Most people, including the Mega Churches have this chapter wrong and are teaching the wrong thing, so it is critical that we get it RIGHT. ;() If any of you can help me with firewood, I could use help!  If you're blessed by this daily Bible Study and you can help me with a donation of $5 or more to my PayPal address, it certainly would be appreciated!  This next couple weeks I will be having a "FIREWOOD funds drive" so I can buy more firewood, and you can donate any amount to : reneholaday@gmail.com  If you go to PayPal.com and let them know your amount and my PayPal email address, and the title of my PayPal page will show up as "Liberty Agenda USA."   THANK YOU ahead of time!

Join in as Lindsey and Aron discuss what transformation looks like in the life of a believer. Also why we long for it in our relationships.  Enjoy the second part of the conversation.  inRelationship.us

Legalism is one of the greatest enemies of faith because it shifts the focus from trusting in God's grace to relying on human effort and rules. Legalism emphasizes human effort and rule-keeping as the safety net for righteousness and acceptance with God. But believers don't need a safety net. We have everything we need for life and godliness. Legalism undermines grace by suggesting that we need to add our own works to Christ's finished work. Legalism often results in feelings of condemnation. Why? Because it sets an impossible standard of perfection. This is why grace through faith is sufficient to forgive all sins: past, present, and future.

Behavior matters! Understand how actions reveal your true identity in Christ, and what it means to be free from legalism through a genuine walk with God.

John invites listeners into a thoughtful and compassionate reflection on Christmas, legalism, and spiritual recovery. He traces how high-control groups distort biblical interpretation, weaponize fear, and turn normal human celebrations into battlegrounds of shame. As John describes his own journey—from cult indoctrination to rediscovering faith—he shows how ancient Jewish and early Christian practices were far more similar to surrounding cultures than many modern legalistic teachings admit. He explores the historical overlap of festivals, solstices, agriculture, and worship, and explains how Paul’s writings in Galatians and Colossians reject judgmentalism and condemn attempts to bind believers to the Mosaic legal code. This segment offers hope for those navigating grief, estrangement, or uncertainty around Christmas. John reminds listeners that celebration is a human universal, not a spiritual trap; that the Bible does not forbid festivals; and that Christian liberty frees believers to celebrate—or not celebrate—without fear, shame, or condemnation. His story offers a gentle invitation to reclaim joy, gratitude, and authentic faith after religious trauma. ______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________– Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

Thursday, 18 December 2025   And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'” Matthew 15:9   “And vainly they revere Me, Teaching instructions – men's injunctions.” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus cited the first half of Isaiah 29:13. He now completes citing that verse, beginning with, “And vainly they revere Me.”   Two new words are seen. The first is matén. It gives the sense of an unsuccessful search. Adverbially, it then signifies something done aimlessly, to no purpose or in vain. The second is sebó, to revere.   Jesus, being the Lord who reads the hearts and minds, had seen numerous generations of men come and go, one after the other, paying lip service to Him while their hearts were turned far from Him. In His incarnation, He knew how they worshiped God, and He called them out for it. Their holding tradition above the commandments of God was one of the ways in which this was done.   Further, He continues the citation, saying, “Teaching instructions – men's injunctions.” Two more new words are seen. The first is didaskalia, instruction. That is derived from the noun, didaskalos, an instructor. That, in turn, is from the verb didaskó, to teach, which is also found in this same clause.   They are “teaching instructions” which are “men's injunctions.” This includes the next new word, entalma, an injunction or religious precept that focuses “on the result of following the directive to its end” (HELPS Word Studies). In this case, they are derived from men. Thus, the instruction does not have the ultimate goal of glorifying God, but satisfying man in some manner.   Looking at the verses again, we can see the structure.   And vainly they revere Me, Teaching instructions – men's injunctions.   The “vainly” corresponds to “men's injunctions,” while the “revere” is directed to the instructions. In this case, the reverence should have been directed toward God, but the instruction belies the supposed intent, leading to the satisfaction of man, not the glorification of God.   Life application: When you go to church, pay attention to the things done in the church as it is conducted. What is the goal and purpose of what is being done? When songs are sung, are people truly glorifying God through them, or are they “me” centered? If the church wants you to wear a certain type of clothes, is it because God will be glorified, or that some pet peeve of man is being imposed on the people?   Pay attention to the various aspects of the service and see if they match what the Bible instructs or omits as instruction. The psalms are written to glorify God. That is their intent and purpose. The type of clothing expected in church is never addressed. However, a poor man's clothing is spoken of by James. How such a person with his raggedy clothing is treated is highlighted by him.   Quite often, you'll find that a church has devolved into a “me” centered group. The things they do have nothing to do with honoring God or being obedient to His precepts. Such things will often have the opposite effect by moving people away from sound worship. Eventually, some will rebel and just stop going to church.   Legalism is an infection in the church. Me-centered worship only increases the neurosis of the congregation because their eyes are always directed at sinful beings whose faults and limitations are not being addressed in a God-centered manner.   If you see something in a church that is following a path that directs people from proper worship, it is right to address it. Asking why things are done as they are is proper. There is no need to be accusing or finger-pointing at such times. But it is right to know why the church does things as they are done. Usually, tradition has stepped in and taken over for a heartfelt worship of the Lord. Getting back to the basics will be a breath of fresh air as proper God-centered worship is encouraged.   Lord God, may our lives be directed to You at all times. Help us not to get stuck in unhealthy ruts in life that keep us from a close and personal walk with You. Instead, may our hearts be open to You at all times, and may our worship and praise of You flow from hearts of gratitude and joy in You. Amen.

“We do not celebrate Christmas that way.” “We do not read those kinds of books.” “We ‘do not handle, do not taste, do not touch.'” We know our world is full of rebellion against God's law. But many people overreact to moral license with a strict imposing of out-of-context or made-up laws. Faithful saints call this legalism, and Christian fantasy fans know plenty about this. When that influencer or relative rebukes your fantastical interest, how you can respond with grace and truth? Mission update New at Lorehaven: reviews of Ruthless and Shadowcast Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Quotes and notes What Is Fiction Legalism?, E. Stephen Burnett Even If We Like Fantasy and Sci-Fi, We Can Still Practice Accidental Legalism, Marian A. Jacobs 50. Do Christians Really Need Fiction? | Fiction's Chief End, part 1, Fantastical Truth podcast 1. Legalism denies the word of God itself. We've heard and experienced many stories of judgy legalists. Some are worse than others. Some comments are snide asides. I heard one author's work dismissed as “not in the real world.” And yes, I've had people challenge Lewis, Tolkien, other stories. Others rail more on social media against metal music or pageants. But don't confuse these false teachers with people they deceive. Your family members may be confused and repeating memes. In either case, work to overcome defensiveness or bad feelings. Your firm foundation: legalism is anti-gospel; the Bible rejects it. So study the word of God. Don't let legalists ruin that for you! Get into the gospel with the epistles, Romans, and other epistles. Focus on texts like Romans 14, 1 Cor. 8-10, and all of Galatians. 2. Legalism denies the good of God's gifts. Moving to legalistic teachers, they often escape to fantasy worlds. They like alternative realities where people don't like/need stories. You can (kindly) hit ’em with that little rejoinder, see how it works. In either case, be sure you study up on God's creative purpose. Start in Genesis and take this text seriously: it's history in poetry! Pay special heed to the “cultural mandate” in Gen. 1:27-28. Any ignorance of this call also overthrow God's call to family. So no one gets to do preaching or “ministry” minimization here! From this text, learned theologians discern that God is and loves three virtues in no particular order: beauty, goodness, and truth. God also loves to give good gifts to evil men and His children. We get this truth directly from texts like Matt. 7:11 and James 1:17. Sin ruin gifts? Not for studying, praying believers (1 Tim. 4:1-5). 3. And legalism denies God's real world. It is not Christianity, but gnosticism, to despise God's creation. Get your eschatology right, after all the charts and controversies. It's simply flawed to suggest we're bound for a bodiless world. Scripture constantly hints, then promises, a renewed planet Earth. Heaven will come down here, rather than replacing all of our world. Let's get the end of Revelation right about New Heavens and New Earth, Christ's eternal and holy kingdom that restores paradise! For Stephen, this doctrine was key to debunking fiction legalism. It helps me avoid the responses of depression or deconstruction. On good days I feel sympathy and love for sincere fiction legalists. With this solid foundation we can “swashbuckle” them with smiles. We can affirm the need for truth and holiness, but show how it is in fact made-up laws, not God's actual word, that forbid good gifts. And we can show how these stories help us grow to be like Jesus. Com station Top question for listeners When did you confront a fiction legalist? How did you respond? tallgrant liked ep. 290 on YouTube: Happy to see this covered, and even happier to get the other half in the Abolition of Man at least touched on! The position Lewis takes about a very small ruling class who make decisions about all of morality for everyone who comes after very much aligns with the ultimate revealed mission of the N.I.C.E. Not to mention the issues being raised about where a potential soul can come from. I find his look at the outworking and consequences of post-modern thought and reasoning really intriguing, considering that this was all put to paper before the conclusion of the second world war and the mass dissemination of those ideas outside the academic world. Next on Fantastical Truth “In one cataclysmic moment, millions around the world disappear.” Jesus returned thirty years ago. Or rather, He sort of pre-returned, the warm-up act, if you will. Many faithful Christians believe in this kind of “rapture.” And in December 1995, two authors teamed up and used this idea to create the most successful biblical end-times thriller we've yet seen. Last summer, we looked back on the Left Behind series legacy. Yet now we'll ask how that first Left Behind novel has aged, thirty years after its release.

John and Chino explore the hidden cost of life inside Faith Assembly and similar high-control churches, unpacking the difference between first- and second-generation members, how utopian promises slowly harden into authoritarian control, and why so many survivors carry more emotional baggage than they realize. Drawing on years of conversations with former members, they talk through holiday taboos, "negative confession," fear-based teaching, and the long shadow of legalistic Pentecostal culture on work, family, and identity. Along the way, they examine how Bible verses were repeatedly pulled out of context, how that misuse of scripture fuels magical thinking and self-destructive choices, and why counseling and safe relationships are so vital in recovery. John shares how people can be talked back from the brink when they feel utterly alone, while Chino emphasizes humility, honesty, and re-learning what genuine Christian faith looks like outside of performance, control, and fear. This conversation offers both language and hope for anyone trying to make sense of life after a controlling religious environment. ______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________- Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

In this episode, Lindsey and Aron slow down what legalism is, as well as how it can show up in the counseling room. Listen in to part 1 of this conversation.   www.inRelationship.us

"What is the difference between confession and repentance?" Pastors Wes and Douglas offer Bible answers to this question and more in episode 13 of season 9.

How exactly did the Lord Jesus fulfill the Law?

Free Podcast Downloads  In my last post, “190 Are Christians under the Law of Moses,” I said that the Bible teaches that Jesus fulfilled the Law. Matthew 5:17, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” This means that the Law is now outdated because Jesus completed its purpose. The Law has been replaced by grace, Hebrews 8:13, “In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” Jesus fulfilled the Law by living in perfect obedience, demonstrating the righteousness no one else could achieve. Through His death, He became the final sacrifice for sin! 2 Corinthians 5:21,” For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Where the Law exposed guilt, Jesus brought grace and truth; John 1:17, “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” You might ask what does “Jesus fulfilled the Law” mean? Here is a practical example: suppose you borrow a sum of money and agree to pay a portion each week until it is paid in full. What happens when the debt is paid in full? Do you continue to make payments each week, or do you stop? Of course, you stop when the obligation is finished or fulfilled! In the same way, the Law of the Old Testament has been fulfilled by Jesus Christ, and there is now no obligation for Believers to keep it. The New Covenant of Grace through Jesus Christ has now replaced it.

In this episode, Rose Lauck is joined by Pastor Mark Carey and guest Drew LeMay as they unpack Mark 10:17–31 and the story of the rich young ruler — one of Jesus' most memorable and challenging conversations.Together they explore what this passage reveals about: • Our longing for eternal life • The sincerity behind the rich young ruler's question • How the law exposes the true condition of our heartsThis conversation digs beneath the surface of the text and offers clarity, encouragement, and pastoral insight for anyone wrestling with faith, obedience, and the shape of a grace-filled life.Listen to the sermon we're talking about: fbcva.org/current-sermon-series or fbcva.org/podcastsBe a part of the conversation by submitting your thoughts and questions: fbcva.org/sermon-spotlight-podcastWatch this episode and subscribe on YouTube:  @fellowshipbiblechurchvaFind out more about Fellowship Bible Church: fbcva.orgSubscribe to emails from Fellowship: fbcva.org/subscribeEngage with us:Facebook: facebook.com/groups/fellowshipfamInstagram: instagram.com/fellowshipbiblechurch/   #SermonSpotlight #FellowshipBibleChurch #FBCVA #Mark10 #RichYoungRuler #ChristianPodcast #BibleTeaching #GraceOfGod #FaithJourney #Discipleship

Ever been judged by church people? Jesus has, too. Today, my friend and pastor's wife, Libby VanSolkema, is back to talk about how Jesus responded when legalism crept into the synagogue—the first-century version of church life.We'll explore what judgment does to us—and how compassion restores us to the heart of God. Join us on Live Like It's True.We titled part one of the conversation: The Truth About Pharisee-Types & How to Break FreeListen to part one on AppleListen to part one on SpotifyJudgy SeriesGuest: Libby VanSolkemaGet your Free Resource: 20 Page WorkbookRecommended Resources: Check out Shannon's Amazon Storefront HEREMusic: Cade PopkinLibby VanSolkemaLibby VanSolkema is President of Ancient Paths Study Tours in addition to being the Research, Curriculum and Resource Director at Crossroads Bible Church in Grand Rapids, MI. Libby is passionate about leading groups to Israel, Greece, Turkey, and Rome, inviting people to learn in community and to discover how the Bible's cultural context illuminates its timeless truth. Libby has an undergraduate degree from Wheaton College and has done graduate work at Jerusalem University College, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, and Calvin Seminary.Mentioned Resources:Crossroads Bible ChurchThe Locker Room PodcastThe Locker Room Podcast – Shannon as a GuestAncient Paths Study ToursCheck out more episodes in the Judgy Series.Get your Free Live Like It's True Workbook.Check out Resound Media. Check out my nine week study, Control Girl: Lessons on Surrendering Your Burden of Control from Seven Women in the Bible.We've got leader's guides, free bonuses and more for you at ControlGirl.com.  Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.  Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

Join Pastor Kirk as continues the study Against Heresy 2.0 covering the heresy of "Legalism". This study covers scripture from the book of Galatians.

Send us a text We've turned the simple invitation of Jesus—“Come, follow me”—into a crowded checklist of programs, expectations, and spiritual pressure. In this episode, we explore how Christianity got so complicated, why so many believers are exhausted, and how to return to the simple, beautiful center: living our actual lives with God, for the sake of others, in the way of Jesus. Support the show If you have any questions about the subjects covered in today's episode you can find us on Facebook at the links below or you can shoot me an email at joe@buddywalkwithjesus.com One Stop Shop for all the links Linktr.ee/happydeamedia

The guys reflect on how much their understanding of the kingdom has grown since the early days of the podcast and use John 19 to contrast the deadly misuse of law with the life-giving work of the Holy Spirit. Jase points out that the Jewish leaders tried to kill Jesus “by the book,” while never stopping to ask the only question that mattered: what if he really is the Son of God? The guys explore the danger of legalism, the difference between living like a slave under law versus a son filled with the Spirit. In this episode: John 3, verses 1–8; John 4, verses 13–14; John 19, verses 7–30; Acts 2, verses 1–4; Romans 8, verses 12–14; Galatians 4, verses 4–7; Ephesians 5, verses 15–20; Hebrews 12, verse 24; James 3, verse 13; Genesis 3, verses 4–24; Genesis 4, verses 1–8; Genesis 6, verse 5; Leviticus 24, verse 16; Proverbs 1, verses 2–7; Proverbs 1, verses 22–33; Proverbs 3, verse 18; Proverbs 23, verses 29–35 “Unashamed” Episode 1200 is sponsored by: http://frontline21.com — Embrace biblical masculinity. Download the Frontline21 field guide for men and 21-day devotional at no cost to you https://auraframes.com — Get $45 off Aura's best-selling Carver Mat frames by using promo code UNASHAMED at checkout! https://myphdweightloss.com — Find out how Al is finally losing weight! Schedule your one-on-one consultation today by visiting the website or calling 864-644-1900. https://bravebooks.com/unashamed — Get 20% off AND get Missy's book “Because You're My Family” and Jep and Jessica's book “Dear Valor” free with code UNASHAMED https://preborn.com/unashamed — Visit the PreBorn! website or dial #250 and use keyword BABY to donate today. http://unashamedforhillsdale.com/ — Sign up now for free, and join the Unashamed hosts every Friday for Unashamed Academy Powered by Hillsdale College Check out At Home with Phil Robertson, nearly 800 episodes of Phil's unfiltered wisdom, humor, and biblical truth, available for free for the first time! Get it on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and anywhere you listen to podcasts! https://open.spotify.com/show/3LY8eJ4ZBZHmsImGoDNK2l Listen to Not Yet Now with Zach Dasher on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, or anywhere you get podcasts. Chapters: 00:00-06:36 Jase crawls out of his Bible cave 06:37-17:18 The “blasphemy” of Jesus 17:19-26:11 Christianity isn't about rules 26:12-37:36 Legalism kills but the Spirit gives life 37:37-49:25 Leaves don't make good clothes 49:26-56:35 How to live as sons & heirs, not slaves — Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you been secretly judging some other mom, your sister, a neighbor or friend? Are you stuck in a constant rule-keeping mindset? Are you a judgy Pharisee-type who'd like to break free?  My friend and pastor's wife Libby VanSolkema describes herself as a "Recovering Pharisee" and I can relate. In our conversation about Luke 6, we're exploring Jesus' surprising response to the Pharisees after the disciples pluck grain on the Sabbath, Let's flip on the lights and expose our own legalism which is the first step to freedom and transformation. Judgy SeriesGuest: Libby VanSolkemaGet your Free Resource: 20 Page WorkbookRecommended Resources: Check out Shannon's Amazon Storefront HEREMusic: Cade PopkinLibby VanSolkema is President of Ancient Paths Study Tours in addition to being the Research, Curriculum and Resource Director at Crossroads Bible Church in Grand Rapids, MI. Libby is passionate about leading groups to Israel, Greece, Turkey, and Rome, inviting people to learn in community and to discover how the Bible's cultural context illuminates its timeless truth. Libby has an undergraduate degree from Wheaton College and has done graduate work at Jerusalem University College, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary and Calvin Seminary. Mentioned Resources:Crossroads Bible ChurchThe Locker Room PodcastThe Locker Room Podcast – Shannon as a GuestAncient Paths Study ToursCheck out more episodes in the Judgy Series.Get your Free Live Like It's True Workbook.Check out Resound Media. Check out my nine week study, Control Girl: Lessons on Surrendering Your Burden of Control from Seven Women in the Bible.We've got leader's guides, free bonuses and more for you at ControlGirl.com.  Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more.  Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

Are you in a relationship or following a ritual? Ritual and relationship go head to head in this episode, who will win? You be the judge. Send us a textSupport the show

WATCH NOW: https://youtu.be/_S_YZGIPX-8This conversation is different.Pastor Brian Carn sat down with Willie Moore Jr for one of the rawest and most honest interviews he's ever done. No edits. No hiding. Just truth, maturity, grace, and years of lessons lived out in front of the world.Inside this episode, you'll hear Pastor Carn open up about:• Growing up without a father• Being “raised publicly” in ministry• The weight of prophetic calling• The shift from law to grace• His battles, flaws, and becoming the message he preaches• Healing church hurt• How God dealt with him in private• What he believes is coming to America• What young prophets MUST understand before they fall• His heart posture today, humble, broken, and wiseIf you've ever questioned faith, calling, pressure, identity, or grace…This is the episode you need to watch from start to finish.

In this lesson, we'll expose the errors of legalism (adding obedience to the law as any part of our justification) and antinomianism (rejecting the moral law as a binding rule of life for believers), while affirming the righteous obedience that necessarily flows from justification by faith alone (chapter 5 of Tom Hicks' book).This series works to provide a positive, biblical case for key beliefs, including the sufficiency of Scripture, salvation by grace alone, justification by faith, covenant theology, Calvinism, the regulative principle of worship, and more—tracing their roots from the early church through the Reformation and Puritan eras.Our weekly Sunday School live stream begins every Lord's Day at 9:30 AM (US Central Time).- About Reformed Baptist Church of McKinneyWe are a Christ-centered, Bible-believing church in McKinney, Texas, committed to the glory of God through expository preaching, sound doctrine, and vibrant fellowship. For more details on our beliefs, ministries, and events, visit our website: https://rbcmckinney.com- Connect with UsFacebook/Instagram/X: @rbcmckinney- Support Our MinistryYour generous tithes and offerings help sustain our work in proclaiming the gospel. Give securely online: https://rbcmckinney.churchcenter.com/giving** DisclaimerWe do not own the rights to "What Is a Reformed Baptist? An Overview of Doctrinal Distinctives" by Tom Hicks (Founders Press, 2024). This book is used solely as a teaching guide for our series. For more on the author, the book, or Founders Ministries, visit: https://press.founders.org/shop/what-is-a-reformed-baptist/

On this “Part I” episode of “The Kylee Cast,” Kylee Griswold is joined by Christian boy mom, entrepreneur, and political activist Suzanna Hake, who shares her story of spiritual rebellion and then her return to Christianity. She also talks about all things “boy mom” and details two insane medical miracles that happened to her husband and son. Don't miss “Part II” next Thursday!If you care about combating the corrupt media that continue to inflict devastating damage, please give a gift to help The Federalist do the real journalism America needs.

In this powerful interview, Isaiah Saldivar sits down with best-selling author Alexander Pagani to discuss his brand-new book, Manipulated: 10 Toxic Traits of Legalism. Pagani exposes how legalistic churches can twist Scripture, use fear and control to dominate believers, and replace the grace of Jesus with man-made rules.Drawing from his own experience in a cult-like denomination, Pagani reveals how legalism stifles spiritual growth, damages relationships, and leads to spiritual bondage. You'll learn how to identify manipulation in leadership, break free from religious control, and rediscover the true gospel of grace, love, and freedom in Christ.Get The Book here https://a.co/d/efkbFl8To sow into this stream Monthly/ONE time/ https://bit.ly/2NRIBcM PAYPAL https://shorturl.at/eJY57www.Isaiahsaldivar.comwww.Instagram.com/Isaiahsaldivarwww.Facebook.com/Isaiahsaldivarwww.youtube.com/IsaiahsaldivarOrder My New Book, "How To Cast Out Demons," Here! https://a.co/d/87NYEfcTo sow www.Isaiahsaldivar.com/partner

Legalism has plagued churches of today having people stooped in religion over understanding the context of the gospel and what faith in Christ and a relationship with Him means. Paul explains this over and over again to the church, but it can be hard to see or understand when you feel as if the whole Bible is written to you. The whole Bible is written for us, but not to us.Many of our churches today will say they do not believe you can earn salvation by works, but they do teach you can earn acceptance, blessings, and fellowship with God by all the things you do or don't do.Listen to this episode as Jackie goes verse by verse in Colossians 2, as Paul warns the church multiple times over this false teaching and even asks them why they are separating themselves over these things.Support the showConnect with the ladies of Her Portion, HERE!

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with someone extra special—Stephanie's sister-in-law, Lydia Lusby! Born and raised in Statesboro, Georgia, as a pastor's kid with three older brothers, Lydia knows what it's like to grow up in the thick of church life. Today, she and her husband, Jeremiah, call Missouri home, where she works as a customer service assistant and appliance retail manager at Lightwise—and serves faithfully at her local church as both a worship leader and small group leader.Lydia opens up about her journey through the Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) Church, sharing how the weight of strict rules and gender expectations once shaped—and nearly broke—her faith. She gets real about the pain of witnessing hypocrisy and control within the church, the season when she walked away, and the powerful way God met her in that space to bring healing, grace, and true freedom in Jesus.This conversation is raw, redemptive, and full of hope for anyone who's ever confused religion with relationship.Takeaways:Growing up in a strict religious environment can distort our view of God.Legalism often leads to shame, fear, and burnout.Walking away from religion doesn't mean walking away from God.Jesus invites us into grace, not guilt.Healing from church hurt is possible.Freedom in Christ brings joy, authenticity, and peace.Join us for this powerful story of redemption and grace—you'll leave encouraged, challenged, and reminded that Jesus is better than religion every single time.Get all the info about our next pastors' wives retreat and apply here:https://www.pastorswivestellall.com/attendaretreatTo purchase the BOOK, head here: ⁠https://pastorswivestellall.com/book⁠⁠To shop our MERCH, head here: ⁠https://pastorswivestellall.com/shop⁠⁠Want to support the Pastors' Wives Tell All podcast ministry? Become a patron: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/pastorswivestellall ⁠⁠SUBSCRIBE: ⁠Sign up⁠ for our email list and receive updates on new episodes, free gifts, and all the fun! Email sign up ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠!CONTACT US: ⁠hello@pastorswivestellall.com⁠⁠FOLLOW US:Website: ⁠⁠pastorswivestellall.com⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠@pastorswivestellall⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠@pastorswivestellall⁠⁠JESSICA:Instagram: ⁠⁠@jessica_taylor_83⁠⁠, ⁠⁠@come_away_missions⁠⁠, ⁠⁠@do_good_project__⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠Come Away Missions⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Do Good Project⁠⁠Websites: ⁠⁠Do Good Project⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Come Away Missions⁠⁠JENNA:Instagram: ⁠⁠@jennaallen⁠⁠, ⁠⁠@jennaallendesign⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠@JennaAllenDesign⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠Jenna Allen Design⁠⁠STEPHANIE:Instagram: ⁠⁠@msstephaniegilbert⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠I Literally LOL⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠Stephanie Gilbert⁠

In this weekend's broadcast of Words of Grace, Pastor Benjamin Winslett turns to Luke 6 to consider Jesus' encounter with the heavy hand of legalism. In these familiar passages, the Pharisees condemn Christ and His disciples for plucking grain on the Sabbath and later challenge Him for restoring a man's withered hand on another Sabbath. … Continue reading "Jesus’ Encounter with Legalism"

We share Amy's journey from childhood fear and OCD to a settled trust in Jesus that carried her through a false accusation against her dad and a sudden move. The story traces how legalism fell away, belief took root, and peace held under pressure.• early love for Jesus and seven years of undiagnosed strep• OCD patterns, nightly fear and the pull of control• legalism as safety, perfectionism in chores and prayer• a night in John 14 bringing assurance and calm• medical treatment easing OCD alongside growing faith• learning the gospel of grace through family and church• false accusation, investigations and financial threat• the decision to move and grieving close friendships• unexpected ease in starting over and a deeper hope• choosing prayer over panic and trust over control

Read OnlineBut the leader of the synagogue, indignant that Jesus had cured on the sabbath, said to the crowd in reply, “There are six days when work should be done. Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath day.” The Lord said to him in reply, “Hypocrites! Does not each one of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger and lead it out for watering?” Luke 13:14–15Why would the leader of the synagogue be “indignant” that Jesus cured a woman on the sabbath? She was crippled for eighteen years! Imagine, especially, her family. They would have seen her many years of suffering and shared them with her through years of compassion. If they were present when Jesus healed her on the sabbath, would they have immediately thought, “How dare Jesus do this healing of our mother, wife or sister on the sabbath?” Of course not! They would have rejoiced and been filled with awe, gratitude, and even tears. This normal reaction that her family would have had upon witnessing this miracle is the right response. And, of course, the reaction of the leader of the synagogue was deeply disordered. Why would this leader of the synagogue do such a thing? Though he and many other scribes, Sadducess, Pharisees and scholars of the law struggled with envy and hypocrisy, others may sometimes react similarly to this leader of the synagogue for other reasons. One such reason is scrupulosity.Scrupulosity is the tendency to see God and His holy will through the lens of legalism. “Legalism” is not just being faithful to the Law of God, because that is a good thing. Legalism is a misinterpretation of God's Law by which one tends to put more emphasis upon themselves than upon God. A scrupulous person is preoccupied with themself. They tend to be far more concerned with sin than with God Himself. And though it's vital to be concerned with sin, when fear of sinning becomes a form of obsession, then that obsession has the effect of clouding the pure will of God and leaves a person heavily burdened and unable to joyfully live out the authentic will of God.Saint Thérèse of Lisieux was one saint who openly shared her struggles with scrupulosity in her autobiography. Of this struggle, which she referred to as “oversensitivity,” she said, “One would have to pass through this martyrdom to understand it well, and for me to express what I experienced for a year and a half would be impossible.” However, she eventually experienced what she called a “complete conversion” by which the heavy burden of oversensitivity was lifted. Though this oversensitivity oppressed her in various ways, one way it affected her was that she feared that even some of her random thoughts were mortal sins and that she would be condemned for them.Though the leader of the synagogue was most likely not struggling with “oversensitivity” in the same way as Saint Thérèse, he was acting with an extreme scrupulosity which led him to be harshly judgmental and condemning of our Lord for His good deed done to this crippled woman.Reflect, today, upon any tendency you may have with these heavy burdens. Do you worry in an irrational way about sin? Do you ever find yourself obsessing over decisions, worrying that you may make the wrong one? Do you think about yourself far more than you think about God and others? If so, you may also be carrying a similar heavy burden that our Lord wants to lift. Serving God and His holy will must become the deepest joy of our lives, not a heavy burden. If you find your Christian walk more of a burden, then turn your eyes away from yourself and look to the merciful God. Run to Him with the utmost confidence of a child, as Saint Thérèse eventually did, and allow yourself to love Him more authentically, freed of scrupulous and self-imposed burdens. My merciful Lord, You desire to free me from all that burdens me. You desire that I turn to You with the confidence of a child. Please do free me, dear Lord, from any way that I impose burdens upon myself by my obsessions and irrational worries. May I always understand Your infinite love for me and always walk freely and joyfully in Your ways. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Museo Nacional de Arte, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Two classmates. Thirty years of ministry. And one question that wouldn't go away: Am I truly loved by God? Today, Francis Chan sits down with long-time friend, Pastor Ken Murphy to talk about the drift from joy into performance and the moment a revelation of God's grace finally broke through. This is a conversation about moving from “working to be loved” to living from a love that never changes. It's the heartbeat of Francis' new book, Beloved, an invitation to trade insecurity for assurance and worshipful joy. Beloved, is available for purchase now wherever books are sold.