The problem with legalism in the church is that it cancels out God’s grace, which never makes God smile.”
Here are four major problems with legalism in the church today:
1. Legalism takes people’s eyes off Jesus.
And where do people start focusing then? On sinful man and his codes, rules, and requirements.
2. Legalism rejects the power of God’s Holy Spirit in the lives of his people.
If people need to create a bunch of unbiblical rules to force upon other people in order to curb wicked behavior, then God’s Holy Spirit, who lives and abides in his people, is just not sufficient enough. Apparently we’re in need of more than God.
3. Legalism loses sight of the gospel.
The Bible teaches that people are saved by faith in Jesus alone, apart from any works of righteousness that we do. Why, exactly, do we then try to add a bunch of do’s and don’t’s?
4. Legalism makes Christianity look like every other religion in the world.
Christianity is a religion where God gets all the glory for saving people who could never save themselves. It’s all about his wonderful, matchless grace. Every other religion in the world is humanity’s attempt at making their god pleased with them so as to get what they want. “Christian Legalism” looks a lot like every other religion in the world, and not much like the Christianity of the Bible.
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In summary, beloved…
- Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. Don’t ever stop gazing at his awesome beauty!
- Trust in God’s power, provision, and protection, as his Holy Spirit will lead you in the way you ought to go.
- Drink in more of the gospel of salvation each and every day. You will never grow so mature in your faith that you’re ready to move beyond the simplicity of the gospel.
- Be light in the dark world; salt to a tasteless culture. Christians are different. We aren’t supposed to be catering to the religious frills of worldly-minded folk. Keep Christianity clean!
I need to embrace this principle for my own self as I tend toward legalism.
Me too, Klara. I think we all do, as the evil in us rebels against the grace that God gives to other people. We enjoy the grace of God in our own lives, but we often push rules and judgment onto other people because they do not conform how we “feel” they should act.
That’s why God’s grace is so important. Hope you’re doing well!
Great truth. I grew up in legalism and it blinded me to God’s grace. Then, We would sing the song “amazing grace” but to me there wasn’t anything really amazing about it because I was working so hard and so self-focused. But now, I can’t sing amazing grace enough. Thanks for the article.
That’s a great testimony to why legalism is horrible and why God’s grace is what truly matters. Thanks for sharing, James!
Somehow, it pleases God at times (such as now) to use other people as instruments of His intent to us ward. This same opinion was and thankfully still is my humble but unpopular opinion in mine also.
Another similar area of concern is that of Church leaders with monetary affairs of Church and the rush for “prosperity” message. Some christians and even leaders (pastors) may prefer “counting moneys than spending time in prayers and breaking bread” (preaching the ward). An option the Apostles of the early Church strongly wetre unwilling and refused to take; and therefore recording that experience as an examlpe for us in later generations today,to follow! In refusing to uphold this standard is tantamount to taking the priceless grace of God upon thier lives for granted.
God who has called us is the faithful One who is always ready/willing to point us to the right way..my prayer is that He may direct His children back towards a perfect mind for serving Him.
Thank you so much Sir and may God bless you.
Grace.
Grace thank you for you kind words! I pray that God richly blesses you as he uses you for his glory while ministering to other people.
Brother Charles, thanks so much, this legalism thing has led a number of pastors astray, they take all the credits of what happens in the church, in such a way that when the pastor is not there many people dont attend the church, because they focus much to the pastor than Jesus
We need to keep our eyes on Jesus. If we ever start looking to man (e.g. a pastor) for the answers, then the church is in deep trouble.
Thanks for the reminder, and God bless!
I catch myself, falling back on legalism when viewing others lives. Every time, I am brought back to reality by, my own need for Christ and the constant reminders of my own shortcomings.
Me too, Stephanie. We need Jesus. Always Jesus!
How have you guys been lately?
Amen, always Jesus!
We are doing well. Thanks for asking. Hope your beautiful family is doing well, too.