One Size Fits All Pt. 2: Fit Check

The Temptation to Turn Back

There’s a strange magnetism to the past—especially when the present feels uncertain. Even after freedom has been given, many still feel the pull to return to old systems, old patterns, and even old chains. The people of Galatia were no different. They had been liberated from empty rituals and powerless gods, yet they began slipping back into religious systems that promised control but offered no real power.

If you read our Bible, then you also know this is t the first time that we’ve seen this. The Galatians are a type of Israel. Think about it. Israel witnessed the amazing miracle of salvation (you’ll pick up that comparison in the way out :-) ), crossed through dry land in what was supposed to be the WATERS of the Red Sea, and yet three days into their journey they encounter situations that are nowhere near as harsh as the worst persecution and IMMEDIATELY they wanna go back. Thanks to sound, prophetic leadership and about 40 years (which should’ve technically been 11 days but who’s counting?) they’re finally able to make it to their promised land. And Paul, being like Moses, sees Galatia headed in the same direction and doesn’t want that for them. At all.

Believe it or not, It’s the same for us today. Whether it’s the comfort of tradition, the desire to please people, or the fear of getting it wrong, we’re often tempted to retreat to rules instead of relying on relationship. But when God calls us out of bondage, He never intends for us to return. What once held us captive has no authority in the new life God has called us to live. Never forget how horrible Egypt truly was!

Legalism Is Not Loyalty

Here’s the hard truth: when we add man-made rules back into what Christ has already made complete, we’re not honoring God—we’re replacing Him with something. In a word: legalism. Legalism is an abuse of morality, and if left unchecked this can, and will, graduate into idolatry. It elevates the law above the Lawgiver,  disguised as holiness, creating a counterfeit version of the gospel that robs people of joy and freedom.

Paul's words cut through the noise: there is no condemnation in Christ because He did what the law could never do—He freed us from sin's grip. So why cling to something that was never designed to save us? Obedience, when rooted in love and fueled by grace, is not legalism. It’s life. As C.S. Lewis said, “Obedience isn’t legalism; it is a symptom of salvation.”

False Voices, Fragile Faith

Paul’s heart breaks for the Galatians—not just because they’re misled, but because they once welcomed the truth with open arms. They cared for him like he was an angel. What changed? The answer: false teachers with bad intentions masked as spiritual passion. Pride, ego, and insecurity caused them to distort the gospel and discredit Paul.

This happens far too often in our own churches. What begins as a desire to protect the faith can morph into gatekeeping, manipulation, and exclusion. We must be careful not to confuse passion for the gospel with control over it. God doesn’t need our help to preserve His truth—He just asks for our obedience. Anything less becomes a distraction. Anything more becomes a distortion.

Freedom, Not Factions

The story of Abraham’s two sons—Isaac and Ishmael—isn’t just a history lesson. It’s a spiritual mirror. One son was born out of human effort, the other out of divine promise. One represents bondage to law, the other freedom through faith. The message is clear: get rid of what enslaves you. You weren’t made for captivity. It has to go. Bye bye.

The church’s greatest threat isn’t cultural pressure from the outside—it’s when we allow fear and self-righteousness to fracture us from within. Real unity doesn’t come from everyone agreeing on every doctrine; it comes from honoring the Lord above all else. Romans 14 reminds us that we will each give account to God—not to each other—and our aim should be harmony, not hierarchy.

So here’s your fit check: Are you clothed in rules, or are you covered in grace? Because only one of those outfits was tailored by God Himself.

One Love,
JRNB

— Jordan Brown

Pastor (Ministries and Outreach) [OV] Church