Those who propagate a doctrinal belief emphasizing rules and regulations to achieve or maintain salvation and/or spiritual growth are LEGALISTS. They demand a strict adherence to laws. This doctrine is opposed to the Grace of Jesus. Legalists fail to see that the purpose of the OT laws was to be our tutor to lead us to Jesus Christ. [Galatians 3:24]
Legalists who demand that Christians keep the law don’t realize that they are placing judgment upon themselves. For if you disobey one law, you are guilty of ALL, Jesus said. No man can keep the whole law, the Word says.
We are told: “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.” [Romans 14:1] It is a shame that there are those who are so adamant about non-essential doctrine that they will cause some Christians to scatter because they will not allow expression of another viewpoint.
[Matthew 12:30] “He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters.”
Legalists demand strict adherence to their own interpretations and to their own traditions. They demand you be spiritual by avoiding this or that, by doing this or that or by speaking this or that. They proclaim their way is the only way to guarantee holiness in the sight of God.
There is a warning of legalism in the Word of God. Paul tells us in Colossians 2:20-23, “Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: ‘Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!’? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.”
Legalistic Christians have an appearance of righteousness but fail to see the grace of Jesus Christ. It does not accomplish God’s purposes if it is an outward performance and not an inner change by the Holy Spirit alone. Again, this is denying the grace of Jesus.
The apostle John said, “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” [John 1:17]
“Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” [Romans 14:4].
“You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat.” [Romans 14:10]
“You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?” [Galatians 3:1]
The Lord says to be gracious to each other, be merciful, be loving, and be tolerant when we disagree with each other over disputable matters. But we are also to “contend with the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” [Jude 3] We cannot accept heresy and legalism over the grace of Jesus Christ.
“Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” [I John 4:1]
I discern a spirit of legalism in anyone who commands that God’s people need to do anything to maintain grace. It is all “head knowledge”, “intellectualism”, “appearance of wisdom” - - but it is NOT GRACE ALONE! Read through these posts; do YOU see the preaching of GRACE ALONE?? If you don’t see the grace of Jesus Christ alone, if it is not Christ crucified. If anyone adds anything to the GRACE OF JESUS CRIST, it is HERESY & LEGALISM.
My beloved friends, please don’t feel burdened with these rules and regulations that some post here. God Himself gave us His Son Jesus Christ that He might be crucified for us and set us free. When the Lord Jesus was crucified, all of our flesh was crucified with Him. When He was resurrected and sent His Holy Spirit to live in us, it is the Spirit of Jesus Christ alone who is making us more like Him. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith.
You are perfect and holy in God’s sight because of Who you belong to, not because of anything else. If someone else’s legalism has caused you to doubt the grace of Jesus Christ, I pray in Jesus’ Holy name that you seek the Lord Himself on this matter that He show you the liberty in which you were called, my friends. God’s will be done in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Great stuff, I would also add that the majority of legalists also have never understand the Biblical truth of righteousness
2 Cor 5.21
[SUP]21 [/SUP]For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
We accept righteousness as a free gift from God though our faith and it is given by God's grace for us. This means our relationship has been restored with the Father and we don't need to add anything to the redemptive work of grace. If we do it becomes self-righteousness
We do not read the Bible, go to church, pray, fast and all those things to become more righteous. We are already made righteous at conversion.
The law not sent to us as a blue print for right and wrong, it was sent to show that we needed a Savior because no man could ever keep 100% of the law. In fact,the Bible says the strength of sin is the Law. So the Law gets it's power because of Sin. When Jesus died on the cross God placed every sin on him and in exchange for this he made us righteous.
Righteousness is not something you earn or gain through obeying the law or reading your Bible, praying, goign to church and doing good works. Righteousness is a position we have gained to the Father, through Jesus Christ.
This is why the message of grace and love is completely misunderstood today.
God is not an angry God, he loves us and his grace is something you cannot put into words. THe Bible also say the goodness of God brings men unto repentance.
Anyone who places a Christian under sin consciousness and under the Law has never gained revelation knowledge or understanding of Righteousness and the message of grace found in the book of Romans. Romans is not a SIN book, it a Righteousness Book.
I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. It is a position that allows me to access Abba father without shame, guilt, condemnation or anything else.
Gal 2.21: [SUP]21 [/SUP]I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
This verse completely refutes legalists and their self-righteousness.
I become Holy and Christ like by understanding that i am righteous and that position never changes, Because when I do miss it and SIN, he is just to forgive me of my sins. I did not lose my position with God.
This is topic is why the Body of Christ is largely ineffective today. They do not understand their position with the Father and what the real true Gospel is.
Anything you do as a Chritian that takes away what Jesus did is self-righteousness and is as filthy rags. But the God news is that when you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you are made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus and you then can understand grace and true agape love.
/