LEGALSIM...how do you know if your a "legalist"

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M

Mitspa

Guest
#1
Ga 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings,
murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like:

Ga 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
 
V

Viligant_Warrior

Guest
#2
Half this board flunks the test.
 
M

Mitspa

Guest
#3
Ro 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
 
Feb 5, 2015
1,852
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#5
How do you know if you are a legalist?
You are careful to clean the outside of the cup, as you know you are unable to do the same on the inside of the cup
 
K

kennethcadwell

Guest
#6
Your OP does not define how one knows they are a legalist.
All it does is show the difference of who walks by the flesh (sinful lifestyle), and then who walks by the Spirit (non-sinful lifestyle). Those who walk by the Spirit will not give into and do the lust of the flesh, as Christ who abides in you through the Holy Spirit will guide your actions.
If you commit a sin it is not the Spirit you are listening to at that point, and given yourself back over to your lust taking oneself out of fellowship with Him. Making for that person to repent/confess to regain that fellowship, and if no repentance/confession is made and the person continues to live in that sin they fall from His grace.
 
M

Mitspa

Guest
#7
Your OP does not define how one knows they are a legalist.
All it does is show the difference of who walks by the flesh (sinful lifestyle), and then who walks by the Spirit (non-sinful lifestyle). Those who walk by the Spirit will not give into and do the lust of the flesh, as Christ who abides in you through the Holy Spirit will guide your actions.
If you commit a sin it is not the Spirit you are listening to at that point, and given yourself back over to your lust taking oneself out of fellowship with Him. Making for that person to repent/confess to regain that fellowship, and if no repentance/confession is made and the person continues to live in that sin they fall from His grace.
No what Paul clearly says is those under the works of the law are in the "flesh" and then what we always see is the works of the flesh manifest in those under the law.


Ro 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
 
K

kennethcadwell

Guest
#8
No what Paul clearly says is those under the works of the law are in the "flesh" and then what we always see is the works of the flesh manifest in those under the law.


Ro 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.


What Paul was saying those who walk and give into the works of the flesh (sinful nature) will not inherit the kingdom of heaven / eternal life, and he gives that list to show exactly what they are and if you do any of these you are to stop and refrain from walking in them.
Paul then follows it up with the works (fruit) of the Spirit, and shows that those who are truly born again in the Spirit will walk in this manner;

[h=1]Galatians 5:22-26[/h]22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Paul was showing the difference between a true born again believer and a false believer or non-believers walk, as those who are born again walk in the Spirit which the proof is in this list. And those who do not walk in the Spirit and are non-believers or false faith still give into the lust of the flesh.

 
Dec 1, 2014
9,701
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0
#9
I'm not a legalist because I rejoice in the grace afforded me in Jesus Christ.

Besides, if I was a legalist I wouldn't have Tigger as my avatar. :)
 
M

Mitspa

Guest
#10
What Paul was saying those who walk and give into the works of the flesh (sinful nature) will not inherit the kingdom of heaven / eternal life, and he gives that list to show exactly what they are and if you do any of these you are to stop and refrain from walking in them.
Paul then follows it up with the works (fruit) of the Spirit, and shows that those who are truly born again in the Spirit will walk in this manner;

[h=1]Galatians 5:22-26[/h]22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Paul was showing the difference between a true born again believer and a false believer or non-believers walk, as those who are born again walk in the Spirit which the proof is in this list. And those who do not walk in the Spirit and are non-believers or false faith still give into the lust of the flesh.

He first clearly identified those under the law as being "in the flesh"

Ga 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
 
Feb 5, 2015
1,852
13
0
#11
I can't really see much difference between some peoples view of the new covenant as the old one.

Under the old covenant if you sinned you had to confess your sin and offer a sacrifice for it. If you didn't you fell from the covenant

For many under the new covenant, if you fail to confess your sin you fall from grace(the new covenant).

That means the only difference I can see in effect where it matters under both covenants is animal sacrifices are no longer needed.

So when Paul stated sinful passions are aroused in you by the law when you live under it, was he simply referring to animal sacrifices as arousing sinful passions in you when you live under the law?
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,095
6,479
113
#12
Ro 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
Just wondering here............doesn't the "newness of spirit" automatically keep the Commandments of Christ? If we "in spirit and in truth" worship and love God, and obey the Two Greatest Commandments, do we not automatically keep all of His Commandments? Does Grace make void obedience, or does Grace empower obedience through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit?

If we do this, does this define us as "legalists?'

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M

Mitspa

Guest
#13
Just wondering here............doesn't the "newness of spirit" automatically keep the Commandments of Christ? If we "in spirit and in truth" worship and love God, and obey the Two Greatest Commandments, do we not automatically keep all of His Commandments? Does Grace make void obedience, or does Grace empower obedience through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit?

If we do this, does this define us as "legalists?'

View attachment 98520
I think your getting a little mixed up...the Commandment of Christ is to love as He loves us and we know that love fulfills all the law.
 
M

Mitspa

Guest
#14
I can't really see much difference between some peoples view of the new covenant as the old one.

Under the old covenant if you sinned you had to confess your sin and offer a sacrifice for it. If you didn't you fell from the covenant

For many under the new covenant, if you fail to confess your sin you fall from grace(the new covenant).

That means the only difference I can see in effect where it matters under both covenants is animal sacrifices are no longer needed.

So when Paul stated sinful passions are aroused in you by the law when you live under it, was he simply referring to animal sacrifices as arousing sinful passions in you when you live under the law?
Are your serious?
Lets read the bible....

Ro 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
7 ¶ What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

Ro 7:8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
 

john832

Senior Member
May 31, 2013
11,363
185
63
#15
I think your getting a little mixed up...the Commandment of Christ is to love as He loves us and we know that love fulfills all the law.
Is this your homemade definition?

John said something entirely different...

1Jn 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
 
Feb 5, 2015
1,852
13
0
#16
Are your serious?
Lets read the bible....

Ro 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
7 ¶ What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

Ro 7:8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
Maybe I didn't explain myself well. It seems to some people the only difference between the old and new covenants is animal sacrifices have been removed. If that is the case, and Paul states when we were in the flesh(under the law) sinful passions were aroused in us by the law, but under the new covenant this is not the case. If the only major difference between the two covenants is animal sacrifices have been done away with, then they would have to be what caused sinful passions to be aroused in people by the law
 
M

Mitspa

Guest
#17
Maybe I didn't explain myself well. It seems to some people the only difference between the old and new covenants is animal sacrifices have been removed. If that is the case, and Paul states when we were in the flesh(under the law) sinful passions were aroused in us by the law, but under the new covenant this is not the case. If the only major difference between the two covenants is animal sacrifices have been done away with, then they would have to be what caused sinful passions to be aroused in people by the law
Ok I see... I thought that was an odd point coming from you :)
 
M

Mitspa

Guest
#18
Is this your homemade definition?

John said something entirely different...

1Jn 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
Yes and he has already clearly defined those commandments as faith in Jesus Christ and to keep His commandment to love...which we know fulfills every commandment anyway...so what point do you think your making?
 
K

kennethcadwell

Guest
#19
He first clearly identified those under the law as being "in the flesh"

Ga 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Galatians 5:24

And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.


This scripture means that if you are born again in Christ you will not give into and walk in the lusts of the flesh (sinful nature). Paul is given a specific list to show the proof that one is truly born again, and John does the same in 1 John 2-4. They both show that if the Lord truly abides in you, and you in Him then you will walk accordingly.
The first list in Galatians 5 shows the works of the flesh that a true born again believer will put off and not walk in any longer, because Christ working in and through them will not have them continue to do those things.

And if a believer does continue to do those things it is because they are drawn away from Christ by giving into their own lusts, and not because they can continue to do them because how they walk does not matter.

[h=1]James 1:14-16[/h]14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
 
M

Mitspa

Guest
#20
Galatians 5:24

And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.


This scripture means that if you are born again in Christ you will not give into and walk in the lusts of the flesh (sinful nature). Paul is given a specific list to show the proof that one is truly born again, and John does the same in 1 John 2-4. They both show that if the Lord truly abides in you, and you in Him then you will walk accordingly.
The first list in Galatians 5 shows the works of the flesh that a true born again believer will put off and not walk in any longer, because Christ working in and through them will not have them continue to do those things.

And if a believer does continue to do those things it is because they are drawn away from Christ by giving into their own lusts, and not because they can continue to do them because how they walk does not matter.

[h=1]James 1:14-16[/h]14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
Yes those under the law are rejecting the truth of the Cross...where the law was nailed.

Its only through the Spirit of grace that the flesh is overcome....the law only makes one a slave to the flesh and its sinful passions.

Ro 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.