September 26, 2026
The Rules Never Saved Me
Written by Nelly M • Plano Campus
Scripture
1 You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? 2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
Galatians 3:1-3 NASB
10 For all who are of works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all the things written in the book of the Law, to do them.” 11 Now, that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “the righteous one will live by faith.” 12 However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “The person who performs them will live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Galatians 3:10-14 NASB
These are matters which do have the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and humility and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.
Colossians 2:23 NASB
As a believer who grew up in the church but did not receive Christ until early young adulthood, I often find myself battling legalism. I have scrutinized myself for the spiritual practices I don’t automatically excel in and devalue the level of maturity I’m at in hopes of becoming someone else.
Yet this passage of scripture reminds us that we received salvation by faith. This means that our fleshly actions did not save us; faith in Jesus Christ did. He broke the curse of sin which was revealed by the law, and if I rely on my outer actions, I deny wisdom.
Paul also addressed something similar in Colossians: “These are matters which do have the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and humility and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence” (Colossians 2:23 NASB).
Earlier in that chapter, Paul highlighted that we, our flesh, died with Christ and so have died to these “self-justifying” practices. Everything that the Lord changes in us through faith produces the fruit He seeks. I encourage you: devote yourself to the Lord in faith, not because of a rule you cannot break, but because of the Savior you have come to know and love through faith.