09/04/2026
The Pastor's Pen
How far is too far? That is a question every Christian must be willing to ask. In a world where almost everything seems to be moving toward an extreme, believers must remember that following Christ means staying on the path-not drifting to either side. An extreme is going beyond what is reasonably healthy necessary or biblically appropriate. Extremes happen when something good, bad, or even seemingly spiritual is taken beyond its proper boundaries. God has called us to be passionate about Him, but He has not called us to become unbalanced.
Look at the culture around us. Extremes have become ordinary. What once shocked society is now accepted as entertainment. Profanity, sexual immorality, violence, materialism, excessive drinking, drug use, uncontrolled anger, narcissism, and the pursuit of personal pleasure are often treated as normal. Social media has made it possible for extreme opinions, behaviors, lifestyles, and values to enter our homes every day. What is repeated long enough can eventually begin to feel normal. But normal according to culture is not necessarily acceptable according to Christ. Romans 12:2 tell us not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Christians cannot allow the culture to establish our standards. However, there is another danger that can happen within Christianity: going to spiritual extremes.
One extreme is legalism- believing that our relationship with God is based primarily on rules, regulations, traditions, and human standards. Legalism can make a person more concerned about appearances than the condition of the heart. It can produce judgment instead of compassion and pride instead of humility. Jesus repeatedly confronted religious people who knew the rules but had lost the heart of God. But there is an opposite extreme: using grace as an excuse to do whatever we want. Some say, “I’m under grace, so it doesn’t matter what I do.” But grace was never given to give us permission to live in sin. Grace was given to deliver us from sin and teach us how to live for Christ. Paul asked in Romans 6:1, “Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? Absolutely not!” We don’t need legalism, and we don’t need license. We need Christ.
The balanced Christian life is found between these extremes: truth and grace, holiness and love, conviction and compassion, freedom and responsibility. We don’t obey God because we are trying to earn His love: we obey because we have already experienced His love. Don’t spend your life asking, “How close can I get to the edge without crossing the line?” Instead ask, “How close can I walk with Jesus?” The enemy would love to pull us off the path-either toward legalism on one side or careless living on the other. But Jesus calls us to walk straight, walk faithfully, and walk with Him. Don’t let culture define normal. Don’t let legalism define holiness. Don’t let grace become an excuse for compromise. Let Christ define your life. Stay on the path. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Walk in truth. Walk in grace. Walk in holiness. And don’t go to the extremes- go deeper in Christ.
Much Love,
God’s Peace,
Pastor Juanita A. W. Harrison
