How to avoid the two extremes
What are these two extremes the writer is talking about? The first one is called Legalism. The second is called Antinomianism. What do these words mean? Legalism was invented by overzealous Jews called Judaizers. Their preoccupation was with the law of Moses. They insisted that one could not be saved apart from the works of the law. In other words, trusting wholly in Jesus' sacrificial atonement for the remission of sins was not sufficient. One also had to adhere to the law and obey all of its demands in order to be saved; salvation by works and not grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Antinomianism is a compound word. Anti means against. Nomianism comes from the Greek root nomos which means law. So an Antimonian is one who is against the law. Now, let's put context to these terms as they relate to our salvation. The Antinomian (lawbreaker) Paul the apostle dealt extensively and clearly with these two matters. He explained why both were dangerous. Many w