Walking in the Word
When Grace is Abandoned
When Grace Is Abandoned
…and we live by the rules
But be on your guard against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (Matthew 16:11-12)
Seeing God’s Perspective
Jesus warned His disciples not only about sinners but also about the religious leaders. Why? Because the Pharisees had twisted faith. They turned a relationship with God into a strict system of rules, which made them seem holy while their hearts stayed far from Him.
In Matthew 23:13-29, Jesus refers to them as blind guides, hypocrites, and whitewashed tombs. And in Acts 15:5, we see that even some early believers, still rooted in Pharisaic tradition, wanted to require Gentiles to follow the law of Moses to be accepted. However, the gospel has changed the way we approach God, not through the law, but by grace through faith.
The Pharisee Spirit Today
Sadly, the spirit of the Pharisee persists in the modern church—and even within our own hearts. Here are ten warning signs that we may have shifted from grace to law.
Appearances matter more than authenticity.
Compassion is often mistaken for weakness.
The relationship with God is replaced by religion.
Knowing theology is more important than loving people.
The Holy Spirit is overlooked because rules are more predictable.
Inflexibility and intolerance prevail—disagreement is considered a sin.
Sin is graded—some failings are worse than others.
There’s a gap between talk and walk.
Theological opinions turn into abstract debates.
Life is defined by what we don’t do, instead of who we love.
Whenever our Christianity is judged solely on abstinence, our lives lack purpose and direction. This is Paul’s message to the Romans.
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:8-10)
The difference between not stealing from a friend because it is wrong and not stealing from a friend because you love them is motive and direction. The former is an act without positive motive and direction. The latter is done out of love, which gives our lives purpose and guidance. Both actions identify us as law-abiding friends, but only when motivated by love do we begin to resemble Jesus. It’s motive bathed in grace.
Falling from Grace
The Apostle Paul said it plainly:
You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. (Galatians 5:4)
When we rely on rules instead of Christ, we aren’t just adding effort—we are subtracting grace. We are, in Paul’s words, saying that Christ died for nothing (Gal. 2:21).
The Way Back: Love and Grace
What’s the solution?
Love fulfills the law. (Romans 13:8–10)
Grace saves and molds us. (Ephesians 2:8–9; Titus 2:11–12)
Maturity is guided by grace, not rules.
Rules restrict behavior. Grace changes hearts.
Rules emphasize appearances. Grace comes from the inside out.
Rules can cause pride or despair. Grace brings us to worship and freedom.
Final Thoughts: What Is the World Seeing?
The world believes we are all Pharisees. The world uses this to keep from coming to God. That’s sobering. But there’s hope:
You are the only gospel some may ever see. From your life, what have they learned about God? About grace?
Prayer
Father, guard me from a heart that gravitates toward rule-keeping and outward performance. Let Your grace not only save me but also transform me. Make my life a living testimony of Jesus—not a cold religion, but a warm, honest reflection of love, mercy, and Spirit-empowered holiness. May others see grace in me and be drawn to know the God who gives it.
Reflection Questions
Where in my life have I allowed rules to replace grace?
Do others perceive love, compassion, and mercy in my life, or something different?
How can I more effectively share the beauty of God’s grace with a skeptical world this week?
Please note: Thank you for reading my posts on Substack. If you find them helpful, would you recommend them to friends? God Bless, Rich
Your ten warning signs are spot on and I especially see #3 & #4. The explanation of how Love fulfills the law is so insightful and revealing. The thing for me is why can loving others as yourself be so hard? Sin sure has permeated the world where we can’t love as we should without the Holy Spirit working within us and even us believers often fall short and we have it! Go figure. Love ya man and thanks for another message!!