We’ll be starting a study of Galatians this week.  Galatians has been called, “Little Romans,” “The Christian Declaration of Independence,” and “The Magna Carta of the Christian Faith.”  Martin Luther used Galatians as his handbook for the Reformation.  It’s a tense and powerful little letter and we’ll get the picture that Paul was not casual in his response to the legalism creeping into the region of Galatia.  What is legalism?  Legalism is when we add to the gospel.  If we say that standing with God requires something in addition to faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ we pervert the gospel.  It is important to remember however, that a call to righteous living is not legalism.  If, through the power of the Holy Spirit we have been made saints, we should live like saints.  It is not asking too much to expect people who say they are Christians to live like Christ. The Sermon on the Mount, not our traditions and preferences is the litmus test for what that looks like.   Some would say that liberty is the answer to legalism.  I would prefer to say (based on Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8) that love is the answer.  Love is the disposition of the believer that blesses rather than curses, that defers rather than demands and that respects rather than rejects.  Let’s avoid legalism at all costs!  Let’s not allow our liberty to unduly offend the struggling saint.  Let’s become people of love who care about and know the difference.