Legalism is Not True Faith
"There shall be one standard for you; it shall be for
the stranger as well as the native, for I am the Lord your God." -
Leviticus 24:22
Legalism is described as obeying laws in a very strict and
exact way. People from all faiths, including Christianity, have been led astray
by being legalistic in their interpretation of religious rules and regulations.
But, folks, legalism
is not true faith. It’s often confused with dedicated faith, but real faith is
not about obeying well-intentioned, man-made rules. In other words...
"don't put on makeup, don't wear pants, don't put on jewelry, or earrings,
cut your hair above the ears (men), don't cut your hair, (ladies), don't play
sports, or jump rope, or if you don't
come to prayer meeting we will sit you down and not allow you to work in the
church, and so on and so on. I can't
begin to tell you some of the things I have heard over the years and tried to
live under. That only leads to
frustration, resentment, and unnecessary guilt. In today’s world, there are not
only religious legalists but secular legalists. The “tolerance police” and
“politically correct Gestapo” are intensely passionate about enforcing their
well-intentioned, man-made rules. Resentment and frustration result. Most legalist are uptight.(wound up - brought
to a state of great tension wound up - brought to a state of great tension;
"all wound up for a fight"
tense - in or of a state of physical or nervous tension).
When you can't live to the exact letter of all of the man made rules, you will
start to feel condemned! And that's not
what God wants you to feel like.
DOESN'T THE BIBLE HAVE ENOUGH THINGS IN IT FOR ALL OF US TO
FOLLOW?
Relax!! Righteousness
is a GIFT. Rom. 5:17,
But even greater is God's wonderful grace and his gift of
righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death
through this one man, Jesus ...
You are not going to be more righteous if you don't wear
makeup, or if you do wear makeup, or if you wear pants or if you don't wear
pants, or jewelry, or don't wear jewelry.
It's not about that at all.
Righteousness is a Gift from God.
If you suffer from well-intentioned legalism, I have great
news for you. Jesus battled legalism throughout His ministry. He understands
your pain. He wants to save you from it, just as He wants to save you from sin.
