A few days ago I blogged about having changed my Bible. I remarked on the fact that I now feel liberated to write in it. It has given me considerable cause for reflection. I am now increasingly convinced that I had allowed myself to be ensnared by legalism. Why shouldn’t I write in or underline in my Bible? Somewhere along the line I bought into a lie that stemmed from a desire to honour God's Word. Isn’t that where all legalism comes from?

At one point I even despised Bibles that had study notes in them. Give me the pure, unadulterated Word of God, I would say. Like so many legalists, although I never said this, I even had a tendency to look down my nose somewhat at those who differed from me. I felt a smug superiority knowing that I didn’t own a contaminated Bible.

Now there is nothing wrong with respecting the Bible and not wanting to add to it. But I now realise that I was being hypocritical. After all, I used Bible commentaries, and wrote notes about the Bible – I just didn’t use a Bible with notes in it or write in my Bible. This kind of legalism is so pernicious and deceptive that it has taken me almost two decades to cotton on! This is not to say, of course, that EVERYONE must now write in their Bibles, any more than it is to say that EVERYONE must not.

The question is – What helps one to study and understand the Bible the best? If my experience over the last few days is anything to go by, for me writing in the Bible is going to be an essential part of my Bible study experience for many years to come.

What I want to ask you is this - What legalistic ideas do YOU have? What about alcohol for example – do you accept the biblical teaching that it is OK to drink a little wine (see my post on 1 Tim) or do you add to the Scripture and turn it into a law that you shouldn’t touch the fruit of the vine? Of course, for some who are concerned about previous alcoholism, abstaining is a good idea – but even for them it is important to look at the motives - is it just plain common sense or is there an element of legalism for some of us in our thinking?

What about the cinema? Do you refuse to see any films? Secular music? Certain types of Christian music? The pub? A certain mode of dress? An overly strict definition of gossip that prevents you from going to your pastor for help? What are and are not appropriate ways to spend your money? Tithing? The way you do your quiet time? What kind of car you drive?

The list goes on and on. Whilst a desire to honour God and follow Him is healthy, legalistic bondage isn’t. If the lightness in my Spirit is anything to go by these last few days, then setting yourself free from the bonds that YOU have placed on yourself is a great blessing. God wants us free to DESIRE to serve Him, rather than to be bound by some kind of man-centred rule we have made for ourselves!

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1)