George Austin
Nov 4 · 2 min read

Very persuasive.

Yet, I don’t see this as Biblical.

May I add some context?

Christian teaching contrasts the supposedly onerous and oppressive “yoke of the Law” with the words of Jesus “My yoke is easy.”

But it is a mistake to do so.

That’s because observant and knowledgeable Jews do not and have not considered the Law (Torah) a burden. In fact, there is a specific time of year called the “Joy of the Law” which is a time of rejoicing that the Torah scroll gets rewound to the beginning so the readings can start again.

Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” And we know He spoke the Father’s words. So, to say the Law is a heavy yoke is to contradict what He said elsewhere.

It is the yoke of legalism prescribed by men that is unbearable. It was the detailed mechanical rule-keeping, regardless of heart attitude that some (not all) of the Pharisees preached. It was present in the first century and it’s present today in many churches.

I’ve been to churches that have huge billboards with details of how one is supposed to dress and act on their property. Others have rules of required attendance, some don’t allow disagreement on church doctrine.

Legalism is a problem all right. But it’s not the same as obeying the true Word of God.

Our salvation has always been by grace. When Adam and Eve sinned, God didn’t demand justice. Instead He slaughtered one of His precious creatures He made in order to cover their sin.

Any believer who has been saved by grace (as it has always been since the Garden) will naturally exhibit the desire to want to do things which are pleasing to the Father. Usually, that is a desire to obey the Scripture.

Obeying the Law is a fruit of the work of salvation by grace in our hearts.

George Austin

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Husband, Home School Dad, Veteran, Marketing Copywriter. Defender of Faith and U.S. Constitution. Friend to the Homeless. Guess I’m Politically Incorrect.