East Gippsland Gospel

We will all live our lives on a continuum between these two positions.

Grace taken to the extreme is Antinomianism. Antinomianism is a stance that is offended by any sense of restriction on the Believer’s life. Antinomianism is conviction-less Christianity. It sees repentance as a single event, not to be repeated.

Legalism is at the opposite end of the scale. It strives to build walls and moats around God’s Grace, forcing the Believer to constantly prove their worth through “good works”.

Part of the issue in this debate is how people see “salvation”. Some see “salvation” merely in terms of escaping Judgement unto Hell. But the Bible describes “salvation” and being freed from the bondage of sin; that which separates from God.

“Salvation” is God’s mechanism of restoring the Believer to Sonship with Him.

May I give a little illustration to help understand this life as Redeemed people?

Consider the Child walking in a park with their father.

They are within sight of each other.

Suddenly a vicious dog appears near the child. The child screams.

The father runs to the child and scoops them up into his arms, with the dog snapping at the child’s heels.

The child is safe.

The dog is only a threat if the Father releases the child from His arms.

But the child draws up their legs and clings with all their might to the father.

Gratitude and love cause them to hold tight.

For Christians, our Heavenly Father will never let us go.

However, sin is constantly snapping at our heels.

Our clinging to God by living the life which He prefers for us, shows appreciation for the salvation that He provides.

This clinging to the Father is a sensible and loving response.

But it is often called “legalism” by those who lean towards antinomianism.

The wise Christian knows they are safe in the Father’s arms, but they so fear sin that they cling tightly to Him.

Some people are content to stroll near sin only holding on to God’s finger while casually looking around.

Some people just walk through life with only an occasional glance at God.

Which are you?