True, but faith leads to conversion/edification, and conversion/edification leads to a changed/changing life, and a changed/changing life seeks to do the will of God in everything out of love. If you're not seeking to do God's will then you have dead faith, and dead faith isn't worth much in God's eyes.
1 Corinthians 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
Love is what makes everything worth something to God. If you truly love God you'll want to follow His commands, not to fulfill some list of requirements, but because it is what He wants. If you truly love your neighbor/enemy you won't want to be the cause of their pain, or drive them into sin....partly because it's what God wants, but also because you care about their eternal fate. One of the signs of true faith is merciful, unselfish, self-sacrificing love. If you're always seeking to avoid your own pain at the expense of enemies, friends, family, spouses...then that's not self-sacrificing love. Love endures all things, and the ones that endure to the end will make it....and hey, maybe God wants us to endure some pain to help save a soul. Small price to pay.
It seems the word "Legalism" has been used a lot lately on this board. Perhaps it would be good for us to study what this word means and how should it be applied and when we cannot apply it.
Webster properly defines legalism in this way as �the doctrine of salvation by good works.�
Secular definition: Date: 1928
1 : strict, literal, or excessive conformity to the law or to a religious or moral code
2 : a legal term or rule
There are those, even on this board, who have suggested that those of us who believe and teach God's standards of right and wrong, what is acceptable to God and what is not, what God's moral principles are and how their choices do not conform to God's, we are then charged as being "Legalists". That reasoning is no surprise since it comes from secular humanism. People, including some Christians, simply do not like to be told that there is a standard of righteousness that Christ Jesus demands from His followers. But when you say that or believe that then you are labeled as being "legalistic". What it really boils down to is that there are Christians who are unwilling to submit to God's authority and prefer to abuse God's Grace. They take their Liberty in Christ as a means to sin thereby abusing liberty. Is that the fruit of a Christian? Is that someone you would want as a spouse?
This is an excerpt from a web page that hits the nail on the head in this issue. I don't agree with everything he says theologically but on this issue he is right on! http://www.baptistpillar.com/bd0367.htm
"Why is it that folk like to label us as legalists? There are two related reasons. First, the thinking of most people has been heavily influenced by the thinking of humanism. Humanism is diametrically opposed to all rules, standards, codes of conduct and moral absolutes of any kind. It believes that everyone should be free to do as he pleases. Those who disagree are labeled �Legalists.� Secondly, most people want to use their liberty for an occasion to the flesh (5:13). They do not want anyone telling them that some of the things they enjoy may be wrong so they banish all such suggestions by labeling them �legalistic.�
The real issue is this: should we teach do�s and don�t�s in Christian living? Should we preach that there are standards which ought to be maintained and deeds which should not be done? A large crowd would say �no - don�t be negative - don�t be legalistic.� But what saith the Scriptures? Every page of Scripture lists things we are not to do. The first page of the Bible tells Adam �thou shalt not� and the last page of Scripture warns not to take away or add to the words of the Book. All of Scripture has rules of what to do and what not to do. Every page is replete with �thou shalt� and �thou shalt not.� To say that rules of conduct are only found as part of the Mosaic law is certainly a misrepresentation of the truth.
The problem in Christianity today is the seeping scourge of humanism that has saturated the minds of Christians, Christian leaders, Christian authors and even preachers. Humanism maintains that the ultimate goal of man is to enjoy himself and develop his potential without the restriction of outmoded taboos and irrelevant rules. Humanism says that each one must decide for himself what is right and what is wrong�no one else should interfere. This is the thinking that causes Christians to throw off any restraints and label them as �legalism.� In so doing they open the door to the inroads of all sorts of worldliness, questionable conduct and ungodly living. Christian standards have been discarded, Christian conduct has sunk to the level of the world and all is done to the theme of freedom from the law.""
So my Friends, my Brothers and Sisters in Christ, do NOT let anyone twist your thinking as to what is legalism especially when they cannot biblically prove their point or when they are just obviously being rebellious to God's standard of righteousness. Mark that person and be ware of them.
I think this all comes back to a saved/not saved situation. A person that is truly saved wants only to please God. They no longer have the desire to live that old lifestyle, do those same things. They would rather find a way to make up to God for the things they have already done, even though they know that's impossible.
You seemed to be talking about what Spurgeon called a "sham" conversion.....where you fool everyone, even yourself, into believing you are saved.
Or Paul when he said if we are led by the Spirit, we are no longer under the law. Why? Because we don't need it, we hold ourselves to a higher standard.
I may be wrong, but to me, if you still have to force yourself to do right.....you need some alone time with Jesus.
Blessings,
Leon
P.S. Salvation ALWAYS comes with an inner character change.
may be wrong, but to me, if you still have to force yourself to do right.....you need some alone time with Jesus.
Blessings, Leon
P.S. Salvation ALWAYS comes with an inner character change.
Leon, I agree with you that salvation always comes with an inner change and would add a desire to seek and serve God, but who among us can say we have gotten it right every time or day since the Lord saved us? I sure can't... how many times have I not spent that little extra time with my kids instead of watching the ball game, thinking some rotten thought, or buying that homeless guy that hangs out in front of the store a meal? Some of you have read my experience from a trip I made not long ago and I must say I am ashamed of what I did, wondering how I could have acted in such a way, and am repentant of because I do desire to follow the Lord and seek His will in my life, sometimes I just plain make a bad choice and and expect that I will make more (and admittedly do) as I continue in this walk. Me having a habit of being critical and tough on myself, some one told me once that I have spent 48 years not serving the Lord and to unlearn those ways will take the rest of my life. Forcing or disciplining yourself to do what is right in God's eyes is something we all have to do isn't it? Jesus said of His sleeping disciples "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" I hope to gain strength as the Lord continues to lead me to be that man He wants me to be.
Walter, JJarr... thanks for sharing. I feel much the same you. Walter, I liked the portion of article you included too. This really is what I've seen also. ~ GraceMae
dear folks, to me its a battle everday to try to do right all the time.. most times i win but some times i loose..
the main thing is who have ya got in your corner.. JESUS and that is the best person you can have there.. as HES been tempted same as us , only HE never gave in.. but HE understand whatever it is that we are going through in our struggles.. amen
walter i so agree with you on bein called legalists..
even preachers are called that when folks dont like when the sermons hit home for them.. theyll blame the preacher for bein a legalist and go try out a different church..
lookin for one where wil say hey its ok to do the opposite of what the good book tells us too.. one a little more leinient...
Sometimes we may not like what we hear especially when we are not inline with God's word but you know what? If we are really a follower of Christ then we do want to please Him and be conformed to His image and ways and what His word says. We will not resist His will and we will welcome His will no matter which path He takes us. His word was given so we could get saved, so we would grow spiritually more mature with understanding and love for Him.
When Jesus addressed the Pharisees He said something we should keep in mind.
Act 7:51 "You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. NKJKV
Resisting the Holy Spirit is an indicator of someone having a spirit problem or even possibly an indication that they are not really saved. Only God knows for certain.
So what is the opposite of someone who resists the Holy Spirit and God's Word?
A humble spirit! A submissive Spirit!
Let us all keep ourselves in check so that we keep this kind of attitude.
James 4:5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"?
6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "GOD RESISTS THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE."
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
God made us human BEings, not human DOings. A wise teacher once said to me,
"God does not want your obedience."
"He wants your Heart."
"When He truly has your Heart, He will have your obedience."
Feeling truly sorry for missing the mark (sin) is proof that you have surrendered your heart. Before I was saved, I only felt guilty for being caught, not sorry for having offended.
The longer I march on, the more I notice that non-grudging obedience follows willing surrender to the One I love more than me. And God is Gracious enough to let me wrestle with Him until I'm ready to give up.
And I'm . . . well. . . . exhausted much of the time.
