Look Out For Legalism

Sunday Service
Philippians 3:1-6

THEME: The difference between Christianity and every other religion in the world is simply this: religion is what man has to do in order to have a right relationship with God, whereas, Christianity is what God has done so that man can have a right relationship with Him. It’s no wonder that Christianity has been misunderstood and maligned from its inception since Christians believe that there is nothing we can do to save ourselves. The good news is God graciously sent His Son to die on a cross to save us. Therefore, He gets the glory for our salvation and any boasting we do is in what Christ has done for us and not in anything we have done to somehow earn God’s favor. True Christians believe salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ’s work alone for God’s glory alone. Requiring/adding anything else besides repentance and faith in order to be saved is called legalism. Legalism is the belief that a person can gain God’s approval and earn salvation through human effort (i.e., performing rituals, keeping rules, doing good works). In verses 1-6, Paul explained the difference between false teachers/believers and true teachers/believers in order to safeguard the Philippians and us from legalism.

1. MARKS OF FALSE TEACHERS/BELIEVERS (V. 2)
Galatians 6:12; Deuteronomy 30:6

2. MARKS OF TRUE TEACHERS/BELIEVERS (VV. 3-6)
Romans 12:1; 1 Corinthians 1:31; 15:10; Romans 7:18; 8:7

Thank God for graciously crediting Christ’s righteousness to your account solely based on your faith in what He did for you on the cross. Ask Him to provide you opportunities to share the good news of salvation by grace through faith alone with those who are hopelessly attempting to earn their way to heaven by their own good works.