Proverbs 4:27. Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
We might say the same thing this way, “Stay on the straight and narrow.” That’s not a bad description of the Christian life. The gospel path, the way of Christ, is a straight and narrow path, and there are dangers on either side if we swerve.
We might say that to the right of the gospel path is the danger of falling into legalism, obeying God’s rules and laws in an attempt to please God and earn his favor. The legalist may see justification coming by faith, but sanctification by obedience. Swerve. They have fallen off the straight and narrow gospel path of Christ. This person is usually fluctuating between pride when they are obeying, and discouragement when they are disobeying. Often while comparing themselves to others, the legalist is constantly chasing God’s love.
On the left side of the gospel is the opposite danger, licentiousness, or immorality. This person answers Paul’s hypothetical question, “Should we continue in sin so that grace may abound?” with a subconscious YES. As a result, they fail to take seriously the holiness and righteousness that Christ in them is actively working out in their life. Rather than actively putting sin to death, they simply apply cheap grace like a bar of soap to their daily failures. And sins of omission? What are those?
Both the right and the left are failing to fully trust Jesus as Savior. Self-salvation is at the heart of both these people. And neither see the seriousness of their sin. I can overcome it myself says the legalist fool. It’s no big deal says the licentious fool.
When you are in Christ your straight path is Jesus. We set our eyes upon him and his cross (Heb. 12:1-2), pressing toward the finish line of knowing him (Phil. 3:14). The cross of Christ is the cure for both legalism and licentiousness. The cross reveals just how serious our sin truly is, and our own inability to both save and sanctify ourselves. The cross reveals God’s great love for us, a love that transforms our heart to do his will.
The great thing about being joined to Christ is that he won’t ever let us swerve too far left or right. He is always nudging us back onto the gospel path.
You: Do you tend to be more of a legalist or licentious?
You in Christ: How have you seen Jesus keep you from swerving off of his straight gospel path recently?
Christ in you: If you’ve been swerving toward legalism or licentiousness lately, how can Christ in you help you to get back on the straight path of the gospel of grace?
Pray: Father, help me walk straight to your Son, not swerving to the right or to the left. Amen.
To Live is Christ 