And while you`re familiar with the technical dictionary definition, I`m starting to learn that legalism (and being legalistic) is much leaner and slippery. It appears in strange, unexpected and undesirable places. Oh wow. This is what I was taught as a young adult in church. Apostolic Lutheran Church. You`re talking about me, aren`t you? Yes, you got me there and I need God`s grace to escape the tentacles of legalism. Instead of accepting Christ`s message of “fact,” I often struggle with many religious and doctrinal “backs.” God bless your writings! This is not something to be taken lightly. If I am a legalist, I say that Jesus` sacrifice was not quite enough and that I must pin some of my good works to secure my rightful position with God. God hates legalism because it denigrates His great work of redemption. As a Christian, have you ever been accused of legalism? This word is often misused in the Christian subculture. For example, some people might call John a legalist because they consider him narrow-minded. But the term legalism does not refer to narrow-mindedness.
In reality, legalism manifests itself in many subtle ways. For most Christians, the term legalism is not used in their churches. It is a way of thinking about their salvation on which they base their spiritual growth. This term is not found in the Bible, but we read the words of Jesus and the apostle Paul, who warn us against the trap we call legalism. To better understand this question, which we call legalism, we need to look at what legalism is and identify the three types of legalism that prevail today. Then we need to look at what God`s Word says about it and how we can combat the effects of legalism on our churches and lives. OUR PASTOR`S RULES: “Reasons for Church Membership” Church believers are required to join a covenant community in the local congregation of believers. You cease to be an independent Christian. Elders have been ordered to bind and lose, and therefore believers are implicitly commanded to be bound to a local church. They are no longer alone, but deliberately submit to the responsibility of the elders and the whole church – Matthew 18:15-18. They are either attached or detached from the local church. I encounter more the legalism of tone of church people, not really pastors.
I met a couple who visited our church and learned that they drove an hour to be there. When I found out where they lived, I told them there was a great church in their church and a great pastor I know. They told me that the pastor was unacceptable. It turned out that his daughter was known as a fan of the Harry Potter books. Even this pastor did not adhere to many of the teachings of a famous pastor (which should not be mentioned here). I was overwhelmed by these reasons for rejecting a very good man, but it doesn`t matter. Get out of this church! That`s terrible. And do not sign such an alliance! There is no such thing as “good legalism.” Good works spring from a heart that is redeemed by Christ. The works in which we walk are an act of the Holy Spirit within us (Ephesians 2:10). Faith without works is dead, but everything that is done without faith is also sin. Faith is a gift from God, and true faith will produce good works.
Denying our own efforts and turning to Christ for His righteousness is the only way. I like to read articles and blogs about what others believe. I grew up in a warm Catholic home with its share of dysfunctions. We followed the “rules” of our faith, but I was the one who always asked why, and even as a small child, I couldn`t accept all of this as feasible. Throughout my life, I have met people of many faiths and I have had very religious friends who call themselves Christians. They are kind, well-meaning people who seem to “feel” their faith fully. I envy them, but I don`t think I have a personality for their belief in God. I admire them for what they do for others (as I personally believe we should) and for the sense of community they feel in the churches they attend. I tried to reconnect with organized religion as an adult, but I no longer feel the need for it in my life. I still appreciate the pomp and beauty of a Catholic Mass, but I am afraid of being an all-or-nothing person. There are too many things I socially disagree with in all Christian religions, so I don`t feel like I`m living authentically if I ignore the “rules” that don`t make sense to me and can often lead to excluding others in society – people like my gay sister and other friends.
who are gay, women who want autonomy over their own bodies, etc. I appreciate your thoughtful contributions and know I can always learn more. We live in a divided country right now, and I`m doing everything I can to understand how others see the world.