Legalism Is Finished
Adapted from Hearing from God Each Morning
When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, It is finished! And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
When Jesus spoke from the cross saying, "It is finished!" He meant that the system of legalism was finished, that now, not only the religious high priests could enter God's presence, but that all people can enjoy His presence, speak to Him, and hear His voice.
Before Jesus died on our behalf, the only way to receive God's promises was to live a perfect, sinless life (by being very legalistic), or to offer a blood sacrifice for sin, the sacrifice of slain animals. When Jesus died and paid for the sins of mankind with His own blood, He opened up a way for every person to enjoy the presence of God. When Jesus said, "It is finished," He invited us to a life of freedom rather than fear. One in which we could be led by the Holy Spirit instead of rules and regulations. Ordinary people who don't do everything right all the time can now enter freely into the presence of God. Freedom from legalism is not a call to lawlessness or laziness. It is a responsibility for each of us to learn God's Word and to hear from God for ourselves, which is what God has always wanted from the beginning of time.
Prayer of the Day: Thank You, Jesus, for freeing me from legalism and giving me direct access to God's presence. Help me walk in Your freedom and live by the Holy Spirit.
