God Without Religion_ Can It Really Be This Simple_ - Andrew Farley [14]
The phrase “for salvation” isn’t there. No, the Bible plainly says we’re dead to the law; we’re not under the law; we’re free from the law; we’re not supervised by the law; and Christ is the end of the law. This is the most straightforward takeaway from these passages. There’s no sign of the apostle Paul watering down this radical message. Plain and simple, the law is not a compass, a guide, or help toward spiritual growth for the Christian—“if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law” (Gal. 5:18).
Suckers for Religion
According to research conducted by the Barna Group, most Christians equate spiritual maturity with following the rules. About 81 percent of self-identified Christians think that spiritual health is “trying hard to follow the rules described in the Bible.” Even among Christians who realize that salvation isn’t earned through good works, four out of five think that spiritual maturity is “trying hard to follow the rules.” Is this what spiritual health and maturity are about?
Paul called the Galatians “foolish” for using the law for daily living after salvation (Gal. 3:1). He thought having a relationship with the law after salvation was like spiritual adultery after being married to Jesus (Rom. 7:4; Gal. 5:4). He even confronted the Colossians about their reliance on “Do not” rules instead of depending on Jesus alone for daily living:
“Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!” . . . Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. (Col. 2:21, 23)
Paul warned them about the futility of trying to improve themselves by rules. But remember that these were Gentiles, just like most of us today. The idea that Christians, especially Gentiles, would return to any portion of the law as our guide for daily living is nothing short of absurd. Why did Paul even have to warn them of the dangers of returning to law? Because addiction to law-based religion isn’t just a Jewish problem. It’s up close and personal.
We humans are suckers for religion.
6
During my teenage years, I struggled with following the speed limit. Between the ages of sixteen and eighteen, I received a number of traffic tickets for excessive speed. My parents would take away my driving privileges for a month here or there. They’d warn me of the dangers of driving fast. They’d remind me that I could lose my license. Still, I didn’t listen and continued to get speeding ticket after speeding ticket. I wasted lots of money and put myself and others in danger.
Many years later, my father and I participated in the Richard Petty Driving Experience at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. First we went through a stock car training class. Then they turned us loose on the Indy 500 track. The drivers who were in line in front of me were turning in speeds of more than 160 miles per hour.
Wow! I thought. This is what I’ve always wanted! No tickets, no limits. I can drive as fast as I want!
Interestingly, though, as I got out onto the track and put the pedal to the metal, I started thinking some surprising thoughts: I should be careful. The wall is only a few feet away. I don’t want to do something stupid and hurt myself or this car. I’ll play it safe and just have a good time out here.
After several laps, my fastest speed was 132 miles per hour. That was slower than a lot of the other drivers. And, ironically, it was slower than some speeds I’d reached as a teenager out on America’s highways! Why so conservative on the Indy 500 track? I’m not exactly sure, but I think the fact that