Death to Legalism

Colossians 2:20-23

1.  We have been united to Christ in His death and resurrection, therefore:

a.  we must not give in to the tempting lure of legalism (vss. 20-22),

Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom! Give ear to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah! “What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the LORD; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats. “When you come to appear before me, who has required of you this trampling of my courts? Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations - I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates;   they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.   - Isaiah 1:10–15 (ESV)

And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him.  For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”  - Mark 7:18–23 (ESV)

b.  because legalism cannot restrain our sinful cravings (vs. 23).

What is (and always has been) the role of the Law in regard to justification?

Romans 7:7-12; Galatians 3:15-29 - The Law exposes our sin and points us to the promised Redeemer who alone can justify and free us.

How does union with Christ change our relationship to the Law?

Romans 7:4-6 – We are no longer condemned by it but rather freed to worship God in the power of the Spirit (cf. Galatians 5:16-26).

How does union with Christ change our relationship to sin?

Romans 6:1-14 - We have been freed from its tyranny in order that we might be restored to worship and enjoy God.