The Misery of Legalism

The following video is fairly graphic, so if you're squeamish, you might want to pass on watching it.


This scene is from the movie, Misery, starring Kathy Bates and James Cann. Cann's character, Paul Sheldon has just completed his latest novel in the same Colorado lodge where he finishes all his books. As he is driving back to town along a desolate mountain road, a blizzard strikes, and his car hits a slippery patch and crashes down an embankment, turning over several times before resting upside down.

Luckily, Annie Wilkes, who lives on a nearby farm, witnesses the crash and pries Sheldon from the wreckage with a crowbar. A former nurse, she takes him home and splints his two shattered legs and broken arm. Throughout the rest of the movie, Sheldon is bed-ridden and crippled, which increases his peril and the film’s tension.

Annie Wilkes, she informs him, is his number one fan. She has read all his books, which center on a beautiful Southern belle named Misery Chastain. Wilkes feels blessed by God, because He sent her to rescue Sheldon so he can write more Misery books. He soon learns that all is not well as it appears to be at first. In this scene, Annie smashes his ankles with a large sledge hammer just after telling him that she loves him. (That's what this clip depicts.)

Some may think that I'm overstating my case, but I think this story is a good picture of what legalism does to people. Like Annie Wilkes "ministry" to Paul Sheldon, legalistic ministry typically exists in a culture of pseudo-love. Everything is done for the good of the one who is victimized. On the surface, it appears that they are being cared for when, in reality, they are being controlled.

If they should try to stray too far from conformity to "the rules of the house," they will be hobbled, all in the name of love. Many a Christian has suffered the religious abuse of legalistic ministry. As a result, they can't enjoy a grace walk anymore but have been crippled in the name of love.

I was talking to a lady recently who had been led to believe that she is rebellious because she dared to question those in her church who imagined that they had authority over her. Beware of religious control. We each have the Holy Spirit in us and He will cause us to sense when something isn't exactly right when we find ourselves in Annie Wilkes house. Don't be fooled by the syrupy smile and gentle voice. If you find yourself with Reverend Annie, run. Run now.

Grace Walk International Leaders Meeting

I just returned from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico where our international leaders from Grace Walk met together. Our group came from the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Argentina. We had a great time. I spoke to our GW team about "Radical Ministry" during the days together and it was a rewarding time as God strengthened the bond of friendship and further unified us in our ministry purpose.

Our meetings were on Friday and Saturday. Then, on Sunday, we went to church together where I spoke from Isaiah 61:1. It was a great time that we all enjoyed. I am so very thankful for the wonderful team the Lord has put together to share the grace walk message through this ministry. Each one is an exceptional person with a passion to spread the gospel of grace.

Rightly Dividing The Word

Not long ago, I was speaking in a church about how we need to understand that not everything Jesus said was directed to us. A man came to me after the meeting and was highly insulted that I should say such a thing. "I think you are wrong to teach that we should disregard the words of Jesus," he said.

"I never said we should disregard what Jesus said," I answered.

"Yes you did," he responded. You said that we didn't need to take seriously what he said about us not being forgiven by God unless we forgive others. Unlike you, I believe everything Jesus said is important."

"I believe what He said is important too," I answered. "In fact, I think His words are important enough that we need to respect them by putting them in the proper context. Surely you don't believe that you are to take every word Jesus said and apply it to your own life?" I asked.

"Of course, I do," he answered, "His words are truth and life!"

"Well," I said, leaning forward as if to look closely at him, "Jesus said that if we ever lust, we should pluck our eyes out and I can't help but notice you have two eyeballs in your skull. Can you explain why that's the case?"

"Oh, oh, oh!" the man responded, obviously angry.

"I don't know what that means," I said.

"You are twisting what Jesus said!" He answered.

"No, I'm not," I answered. "I am telling you that we had better know who Jesus was talking to, why He said what He did and what He meant when He said it," I answered.

Needless to say, I didn't convince the man. I suppose he still thinks I don't believe the words of Jesus, but I do.

That man failed to understand something very important in interpreting the Bible. We have to rightly divide the Word. When we read the Bible, we need to ask, "Who was speaking here? To whom was he speaking? When was he saying this -before or after the cross? What point was he making with the people to whom he spoke?"

These are important questions. If we fail to answer them as we read the Bible, we get ourselves into a world of confusion. Much of what Jesus said was directed to the self righteous. For instance, in Luke 18:28-33, when the rich young ruler asked Him how he might obtain eternal life, Jesus told him to keep the Law. The man responded by saying that he had already done that, so Jesus told him to sell all that he had and give it to the poor.

Would any Christian seriously think that because Jesus told one man that, the way to salvation is to keep the Law or to sell what we have and give the money to the poor? No, we know that He wasn't talking to us there. He was talking to a man who thought he was good enough to deserve salvation based on his own morality. Jesus was making the point that "you only think you have what it takes to save yourself" by lifting up the Law so that the man would come to see his sinfulness. In other words, Jesus was using the Law to do what the Law does -- "make sin exceedingly sinful."

That's how it is with many passages we read. Remember that Jesus ministered under the old covenant and, consequently, He used the Law to do what it was given to do - cause sin to increase. (See Romans 5:20) Why would he do that? For the very reason Paul gave in Galatians 3:23-24 -- so that the Law would cause men to see their sinfulness and their need for a Saviour.

If we don't rightly divide the word by understanding that the New Covenant (Testament) didn't begin with the birth of Jesus, but with His crucifixion, we will be confused about some of the things He said. The New Covenant became valid only when the One who made it died. (See Hebrews 9:16-17)

I love the words of Jesus. I love His words enough to refuse to be flippant about them, but instead to study them in order to know their context and true meaning. I encourage you to approach the Scripture knowing that the dividing line between the Old and New Covenant is the work of Christ at the cross. Knowing that can help us avoid much confusion in our understanding.

Ministry In Canada

I am in London, Ontario where I am speaking at the Grace Life Community Church. Pastor Sam Youngren is committed to seeing his congregation grow in the knowledge of who they are in Christ and what it means to walk in grace. It is encouraging to be with a pastor and church who are so enthusiastic about being a grace filled church.

I spoke yesterday morning, last night and will speak tonight. My theme is "The Gospel of Grace," taken from Acts 20:24. Yesterday I spoke about "Life In Grace" and last night my topic was "Liberty In Grace." Tonight the message will be about "Love in Grace."

I will spend part of the day today with Mike Zenker, our National Director for Grace Walk Canada. He and a small group of friends drove over for the service last night and will be there tonight too. Everytime I think of how the Lord brought Mike to work with Grace Walk, I am thankful. He really is a gifted man and I believe our Father is going to use him in great ways to spread the message of the grace walk.

I fly back to Atlanta tomorrow, then Melanie and I will drive back to Florida on Wednesday. We will be home a week before leaving for our Leadership Conference in Mexico the next week.

Thanks for your prayers while I'm here.

In The McVey Family

When I first began this blog, I wrote that I would also post personal things sometimes so that those who know our family can keep up with some of the things going on in our personal lives.

Our oldest daugher, Amy, recently received certification as a personal trainer. She has been into running for quite some time now, having run a half marathon last year. She is going to run a full marathon (26 miles) in January.

Melanie has also become interested in running. Yesterday morning she and Amy ran a 5K run together. It was the first for Melanie and she did a great job. Her goal is to run a 10k and she is training hard for it every day.

These photos are Melanie and Amy coming down the home stretch, celebrating the finish and my three beautiful girls and me.

Home From Argentina

While we were in Buenos Aries, we prayed for Jose Colacilli, our National Coordinator for Grace Walk Argentina. Jose is a humble man with a passion for sharing the gospel of grace with his country. Pray for him as he seeks to spread the message across Argentina!
This is Walter Sanchez, who also works with our ministry in Argentina. Right now, he is leading three Grace Walk Groups and is teaching each of them who they are in Christ.
Gerardo Vazques (Grace Walk Latin American Director) and I preached in three different churches during the weekend. It is such an encouragement to me to see how Gerardo has grown in these past seven years. God is using him to spread the message of the grace walk all over Latin America.






It was a real joy for me to be there with these guys. Gerardo and Craig Snyder (Grace Walk Director of Missions) have been to Argentina numerous times and have done a wonderful job laying the foundation there. It was a pleasure for me to see the fruit of their ministry. I am so pleased to be working together with these men.

Update From Argentina

I'm writing this blog from an Internet Cafe. The time here in Buenos Aires has been very enjoyable. Last night I preached at a church in the area on the topic of "Freedom From A Guity Conscience." I spoke about total forgivness and the congregation was very receptive to the message.

I met one man at the church who said he hears me on the radio from a station he is picking up all the way from Florida. I was amazed that a station from the states would reach this far, but was encouraged by his affirming remarks about how the message has already impacted him through my radio programs.

This morning I spoke at the church of Jose Colacilli, our National Coordinator for Grace Walk Argentina. I spoke from Hebrews about "Being Free From Sin Consciousness." I was pleased to preach in Jose's church. I also prayed publically for him and for Walter Sanchez and affirmed their ministry to the congregation.

Thanks for your prayers while I've been here. It is always a pleasure for me to minister with my dear friend and disciple in the grace walk, Gerardo Vazquez. I am encouraged by what the Lord is doing through him every time we are together.

I hope to post some photos from Argentina on this blog after I'm back home. Thanks again for praying. The message of the grace walk is taking root in Argentina!

Ministry in Argentina

I am writing this blog from Buenos Aries, Argentina, where Gerardo Vasquez (Grace Walk Latin America Director) and I are speaking this weekend. Yesterday we met with Jose Colacilli, who leads Grace Walk Argentina and with Walter Sanchez, the newest member of the Grace Walk team in this country. Both of these men are passionate about impacting their country with the grace walk. They are fine men and I am so proud to work with them.

Last night, Gerardo and I preached at the Reencounter Baptist Church. Gerardo spoke first on the subject of our identity in Christ. He is one of the most gifted teachers of God´s grace in the world. It was in the year 2000 when I met him and began to disciple him in the message. We have walked together through the valleys and the mountaintops in his life during these years. I have seen him grow so much in his own life and have seen God give him an international ministry that has surpassed anything he ever imagined. I´m not at all surprised.

Gerardo´s wife, Gloria, is a godly woman who is completely excited about reaching the world with the gospel of grace. They have two children and live in Guadalajara, where our Grace Walk Mexico office is located.

After he spoke last night, I preached on the topic "Ministers of a New Covenant." The people were receptive to the message and it was a joy to share with them.

Buenos Aries is a beautiful city with more of a Eurpoean flair than a Latin American one. The architectural style here reminds me of the buildings in my favorite city, London, England. As you can see from the map, Argentina is getting down closer to the equator, so it is winter here right now. I am really enjoying the cold weather. We are going to walk around town this morning, then meet again with our Grace Walk workers this afternoon and speak tonight in another church.

Remember us in prayer while we are here. I will get back to the states on Monday and be in Alanta for the rest of the week before heading to Canada next weekend.