Writing today from Sheridan, WY

We must always guard against legalism. Becoming a Law-lover is a natural tendancy and a trap many fall into.  For some reason we like to tag rules onto everything, including our faith.  This was the problem with the scribes and Pharisees.

“Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophecy about you saying: These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.”

Jesus was the perfect example of guarding against legalism. His purpose in his first coming was to be “sent…to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”  Remember, the Church was not in view yet.  Jesus was offering the kingdom to Israel.  It was not until Paul turned to the Gentiles that a new dispensation was revealed (Acts 18:6). The Gospel would also go to the Gentiles.

Jesus, never a legalist, although he was sent to Israel, saw the faith of the Gentile woman (Matthew 15:28; Mark 7:29), and healed her daughter.  That is marvelous, infinite, matchless grace.

Read Matthew 15:1-39 and Mark 7:1-37