A Picture of Legalism

# 361 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 5:2-4 “And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him.”

From the other gospel accounts of this event we learn that these demoniacs were naked and were so fierce that they rendered the road that went by their tombs impassable. Okay, show of hands. How many of you would stay clear of this area?

One of the things that amazes me is that we read that this demoniac had OFTEN been bound with shackles and chains. I wonder how many police officers of the day it took to wrestle him to the ground and cuff him, only to have him snap the shackles off. How many new and improved types of shackles did they use in their futile attempts to restrain him?

This is a great picture of legalism. Legalism springs from a desire to keep the letter of God's commandments by instituting man-made rules and regulations. The Pharisees tried to do this with silly laws about washing, and silly laws about Sabbath keeping.

They sought to use these man-made laws as a security fence around the real Law of God. The reasoning was simple, if these silly laws were followed, then there would be no way that the real Law of God could be transgressed.

Sounds like a great plan! However, it never works!

You may try to control your sin by following the letter of the Law in your own strength, or by setting up a system of man made religious rules in an attempt to to be holy, but sin will eventually break out.

And it usually breaks out with the vengeance of these Gadarene demoniacs. The only hope for victory and peace for the sin ravaged soul is the healing touch of Jesus.

He set the Gadarene demoniacs free, He will set you free as well. Stop striving to obey in your own strength, surrender your life to Jesus and live in His strength.
Joh 8:36 "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word