A Reflection On Legalism

When I remember that Jesus is my righteousness

Centuries of legalism have given us an unfortunate interpretation of “the straight and narrow.” Heaven, we are led to believe, is only for those who can live up to the demands of the gospel, and there are precious few who can.

However, the small gate and narrow road of which Jesus speaks is Himself. And the only people who find Him are those who give up walking the road themselves. When we make ourselves the gate—and we do, whenever we think our efforts are the key—we miss the true gate. “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep,” Jesus says (John 10:7).

We lapse into self-effort frequently. Once saved by grace through faith in Him, we try to live by effort through faith in ourselves. We aim to be righteous, rather than trusting Him as our righteousness. But the narrow road always leads away from ourselves. Everything in the gospel is about Him. It’s never our burden, and it’s always full of grace.

The gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

Matthew 7:14