If You Preach Grace…

“If You Preach Grace, People Will Accuse You of Lawlessness”

That reaction isn’t new.

Anytime legalism is challenged, the immediate assumption is, “So you’re saying obedience doesn’t matter?” or “So people can just live however they want?”

That’s not what rejecting legalism and mixture means.

Legalism isn’t the presence of obedience.

Legalism is using law keeping, behavior, and performance as the means of righteousness.

When I talk about freedom from legalism and mixture, I am not advocating for sin or compromise. I am rejecting the idea that rule keeping produces and maintains righteousness.

Under legalism, behavior is driven by fear of punishment, fear of loss, and fear of rejection. Obedience becomes the way to secure standing with God. This is self righteousness.

Under grace, obedience flows from a secure identity. We don’t obey to belong, we obey because we belong. Grace doesn’t ignore sin, it actually teaches us to say no to it through the power of a new identity and a transformed heart.

But grace sounds dangerous to those who rely on law to restrain sin. If fear is the motivator, then freedom feels irresponsible. But scripture never teaches that fear is what transforms the heart. Rules can only restrain behavior for a while.

When rules and pressure are trusted to keep sin in check, grace can feel dangerous. Not because grace encourages lawlessness, but because it brings to the surface the fear of what happens when external restraint is removed.

Fear asks, “What will stop me from sinning?”

Legalism answers, “The Law.”

Grace answers, “Your new heart.”