The Limits of Legalism                                                       Jan. 21, 2005

"Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungered, and they that were with him; how he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? Mark's gospel prefaces David's being hungry with..."when he had need." The legalists would have had David and his men go hungry.

Here we find the rule is not always a strict standard. God allows for exceptions when it is warranted. It is a wise saint who gives both God and his brethren a little elbow room to move around in. Legalists can only perceive "capsule Christians"; but God sometimes breaks the capsule and dispenses His medicine to those in need in an unorthodox manner to which they are not accustomed.

God's darling, David, shows He knew this when he said, "I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad."