Can we stand and make the tough decisions, which will take us into harm’s way and put our lives at risk, or do we cower and make excuses for refusing to do what is required of us? You have taken the path of hardship and courage. Your mission will end one day. Then, you will see the brightness of the future for the man who lives by truth and righteousness.”
–Lloyd E. Foley (Spirit of Lone Warrior)
“Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.”
–3 John 11 (NIV)
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First of all I want to apologize for some errors in punctuation and spelling in yesterday’s email. I could blame it on spell-check, but most likely it was from fat fingers. I do want to clear up the quotation by John Dob. “Do not hearken to the reports of such wicked persons as seek to defame others and detract from their good name…” Thanks for your understanding and continued reading.
One of the most misunderstood concepts in the church today is that of legalism. Understand, legalism is when you add works to aid in your salvation. You are doing something to help the Lord. Salvation comes only from the blood of Christ and man’s acceptance of that divine sacrifice. Then, because of salvation we do “works.”
Some of the most legalistic people are those who use their freedom wrongly. True, where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom, but freedom from what, for what, and to what? Freedom from the chains of sin–slavery to sin. However, as Paul tells us, “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!” (Romans 6:15, NKJV) I now can party-hardy, booze it up, flaunt a lifestyle that is contrary to the teachings of God’s Word. Certainly not! And that is not legalism! Paul writes that we are now to “present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.” (Romans 6:19, NKJV) I hear very few who clamor against legalism delve into that verse.
Most who holler, “that’s legalism” do not want to be slaves of righteousness for holiness. Their antilegalism has become a form of legalism itself. Dr. H. Maurice Lednicky declares, “What is too often defined as legalism is nothing more than carnality refusing to be crucified?” It is self-undulation and self-love promoting a form of Christian relative truth. When you see Christians holding a bottle of alcohol and flaunting it on social media, how is that “freedom” instead of self-love? It is ignoring the truth of Romans 6:19 and the verses in Scripture warning us about being friends with the world (cf. 1 John).
The anti-legalist as well as all Christians must always remember the “weaker brother” considerations. We read of Paul’s teaching this in 1 Corinthians 8 regarding his teaching concerning meat sacrificed to idols. The emphasis of responsibility is clearly on the stronger Christian. They should always have the interest of the weaker Christian in mind.
Also, I should remind, “exercising rampant Christian freedom does not necessarily mean one is a strong Christian. It could indicate that one is too weak to control one’s passions and is hiding behind the argument that they are a stronger brother,” (Probe Ministries) and cry out, “legalism.” It is imperative that we continually examine and reexamine our motives. Do not cause others to stumble because of your “spiritual freedom.” Do not be “legalistic” in your actions regarding freedom. Remember, it is freedom from the law and sin, and also do not forget, and this is important, that with freedom comes great responsibility. Don’t gloat over your freedom. Know that “much of the conversation today about ‘legalism’ is nothing more than the flesh seeking an acceptable method for approval and self-justification.” (Lednicky) I reiterate Paul’s instructions, “present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.”
“Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.”
–3 John 11 (NIV)
—————————–
First of all I want to apologize for some errors in punctuation and spelling in yesterday’s email. I could blame it on spell-check, but most likely it was from fat fingers. I do want to clear up the quotation by John Dob. “Do not hearken to the reports of such wicked persons as seek to defame others and detract from their good name…” Thanks for your understanding and continued reading.
One of the most misunderstood concepts in the church today is that of legalism. Understand, legalism is when you add works to aid in your salvation. You are doing something to help the Lord. Salvation comes only from the blood of Christ and man’s acceptance of that divine sacrifice. Then, because of salvation we do “works.”
Some of the most legalistic people are those who use their freedom wrongly. True, where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom, but freedom from what, for what, and to what? Freedom from the chains of sin–slavery to sin. However, as Paul tells us, “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!” (Romans 6:15, NKJV) I now can party-hardy, booze it up, flaunt a lifestyle that is contrary to the teachings of God’s Word. Certainly not! And that is not legalism! Paul writes that we are now to “present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.” (Romans 6:19, NKJV) I hear very few who clamor against legalism delve into that verse.
Most who holler, “that’s legalism” do not want to be slaves of righteousness for holiness. Their antilegalism has become a form of legalism itself. Dr. H. Maurice Lednicky declares, “What is too often defined as legalism is nothing more than carnality refusing to be crucified?” It is self-undulation and self-love promoting a form of Christian relative truth. When you see Christians holding a bottle of alcohol and flaunting it on social media, how is that “freedom” instead of self-love? It is ignoring the truth of Romans 6:19 and the verses in Scripture warning us about being friends with the world (cf. 1 John).
The anti-legalist as well as all Christians must always remember the “weaker brother” considerations. We read of Paul’s teaching this in 1 Corinthians 8 regarding his teaching concerning meat sacrificed to idols. The emphasis of responsibility is clearly on the stronger Christian. They should always have the interest of the weaker Christian in mind.
Also, I should remind, “exercising rampant Christian freedom does not necessarily mean one is a strong Christian. It could indicate that one is too weak to control one’s passions and is hiding behind the argument that they are a stronger brother,” (Probe Ministries) and cry out, “legalism.” It is imperative that we continually examine and reexamine our motives. Do not cause others to stumble because of your “spiritual freedom.” Do not be “legalistic” in your actions regarding freedom. Remember, it is freedom from the law and sin, and also do not forget, and this is important, that with freedom comes great responsibility. Don’t gloat over your freedom. Know that “much of the conversation today about ‘legalism’ is nothing more than the flesh seeking an acceptable method for approval and self-justification.” (Lednicky) I reiterate Paul’s instructions, “present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.”