Legalist Or Loyalist
JULY 17, 2026
Daily Reading—Neh. 13 / Acts 16:1-24
WHAT GOD HAS SAID:
Acts 15:1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
WHAT I HAVE SEEN:
Any time a church adopts procedures to help keep order, someone calls them legalists. Typically, it is the person who does not like the rule. All churches have rules. You must be a member to vote. Only members may teach Sunday School. Etc. Yet no rule says you must do them to be saved. The rules help us be loyal to the order in church, not legalists to a law for salvation.
It is not a new phenomenon. The apostles wrestled with these issues back at the founding of the church. Their conclusion should be ours as well. God clearly says in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Faith in Christ alone saves, plus nothing.
WHAT WILL YOU DO:
Can we share the Gospel without adding new rules?
IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:
Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this passage and today’s devotion?
Within this reading, do I find a CHALLENGE for my life?
What actions will I take today or this week to meet this CHALLENGE?
Living In His Word Ministries
“Getting people into the Word of God…
…and the Word of God into people.
Romans 10:17
Evangelist Dr. Franklin J. Senters, Th. D.
Founder and President
Hebrews 2:12
