Tag Archives: Legalism

Loving our Samaritans

Posted on April 10, 2021 by Mel Wild

Jesus loves the people we hate. He also loves the people who hate us. As you probably can tell, I think that the neo-Marxist ideologies of the radical left are evil and cancerous. But I don’t feel that way at … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Grace, Love, Sonship | Tagged Christianity, Evangelism, Jesus, Legalism, Love your enemies, Loving our Samaritans, Relationships | 15 Comments

Playing in the park after dark

Posted on March 24, 2021 by Mel Wild

When people ask me if I believe we’re still under the Law, I’ve adopted Bill Vanderbush’s answer: “Of course! I’m under the Law of the Spirit of Life!“ I’m not trying to be clever, just making an important point. Something … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Grace, Love | Tagged Christianity, Jesus, Legalism, Light of the world, The Law, The Law of Life in the Spirit | 10 Comments

Leaving legalism for Christ

Posted on June 4, 2020 by Mel Wild

One thing I’ve found in over 40 years with Jesus is that legalistic people never think they are legalistic. I know I didn’t, and still don’t, even though I still detect some residual legalism in my own life from time … Continue reading →

Posted in Freedom, Grace, Identity, Love, Rest of God | Tagged Abiding in Christ, Christianity, Legalism, Overcoming life in Christ | 5 Comments

Jesus’ Subversive Kingdom – Part Seven

Posted on May 26, 2017 by Mel Wild

I’ve said before that the whole of Scripture is about one thing—love. But God defines this agape love as other-centered and self-giving. It literally means “good will,” which is where we get the word “benevolence” (from the Latin bene volentem: to use our volition, or … Continue reading →

Posted in Heaven on earth, Love, Sonship | Tagged Adultery, Anger, Christianity, Discipleship, Jesus, Legalism, Lust, Murder, Relationships, Sermon on the Mount, Subversive Kingdom | 5 Comments

Grace, bad behavior, and other-centered love

Posted on September 13, 2016 by Mel Wild

Our growing up into Christ—going from glory to glory, if you will—is never a clear and straightforward path. It’s often full of uncertainties and dangerous twists and turns. But like any mountain climb to majestic heights, the result is worth the risk as long as you’re careful along the way. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Freedom, Grace, Identity, Love, Reformation, Sonship | Tagged Christianity, Following Jesus, Legalism, Other-centered love, Relationships, Restoration | 4 Comments

Jesus interprets the Law through love

Posted on September 7, 2016 by Mel Wild

There’s one thing that’s certain. Jesus’ interpretation of Scripture was vastly different than the religious leaders of His day. And I would venture to guess, vastly different than how we might read it, too. As Derek Flood points out in his book, Disarming … Continue reading →

Posted in Father Heart of God, Grace, Love, Theology | Tagged Christianity, Derek Flood, Following Jesus, Jesus Hermeneutic, Legalism, Religion and Spirituality | 7 Comments

Jesus Jujutsu: a brilliant strategy for biblical self-discovery

Posted on January 14, 2016 by Mel Wild

One of the many things I love about Jesus’ teaching is how He does spiritual jujutsu on His religious antagonists by turning their use of the Law on its head. The purpose is to reveal something in their hearts rather than getting sucked into their ruse. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Grace | Tagged Bible study, Christianity, Jesus Jujutsu, John 8:1-11, Legalism | 10 Comments

The superiority of grace and truth over the Law

Posted on August 11, 2015 by Mel Wild

What was Jesus doing when He pardoned the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11)? After all, He said He wasn’t doing away with the Law, but the Law required a death sentence–no ifs, ands or buts. According to Lev.20:10, she “shall surely … Continue reading →

Posted in Father Heart of God, Grace, Theology | Tagged Christianity, Compassion, Forgiveness, Grace and truth, Jesus, Legalism | 9 Comments

Embracing grace and letting go of legalism

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Mel Wild

Legalism is insidious and deceptive. Some of the most legalistic people I know swear up and down they’re not legalistic. After all, who would actually admit such a thing? Why do we have such a hard time embracing grace and … Continue reading →

Posted in Grace | Tagged Christianity, Law and Grace, Legalism, New Creation | 15 Comments

Our ministry

Posted on October 4, 2014 by Mel Wild

As far as I can tell, our ministry in Christ is two-fold. It’s about identity and reconciliation. And we cannot do the latter with the right heart without seeing the former. Both have everything to do with connection–a life embraced, … Continue reading →