I have only posted once in over a month and already accused of being legalistic by posting about keeping the commandments, so my question is what does the bible say is legalistic?
Matthew 23:5�7 (NKJV)
5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, �Rabbi, Rabbi.�
I. THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES DEFINED A. THEY WERE KNOWN TO "SAY AND DO NOT" - Mt 23:1-4 1. Though they were often teaching the truth, they did not often practice what they preached! 2. From them many parents got the saying "Do as I say, not as I do", THEY WERE KNOWN TO DO THINGS TO BE SEEN OF MEN - Mt 23:5-7 1. They enjoyed wearing religious garments that separated them from others, and delighted in having places and titles of honor . THEY WERE KNOWN TO NEGLECT PARTS OF GOD'S LAW - Mt 23:23-24 1. In their case, they would emphasize the "lighter" matters of the law, while neglecting the "weightier" commands 2. Or as we would say today, they "majored in minors and minored in majors" THEY WERE LOVERS OF MONEY - Lk 16:13-15 1. "Mammon" was their god, though they would be quick to deny it and try to justify themselves before men. Does this sound like any "prosperity" preachers we see and hear today? [Such was the level of "righteousness" the scribes and Pharisees had as a group! Why must our righteousness exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees? THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE KINGDOM DEMANDS MORE!] II. WE LEARN IN THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT THAT... 1. We cannot "say and do not" - Mt 7:21 2. We cannot "do things to be seen of men" - Mt 6:1 3. We cannot "neglect" ANY commandments of God's law - Mt 5:19 4. We cannot be "lovers of money" - Mt 6:24
No one on this website knows me personally so how can anyone accuse me of being legalistic?
I don't know what previous post you posted, so I'm not sure what exactly you wrote or what the responses were, however, I do think that there are some on here who tend to throw out the Old Testament and the laws of that time. While I think that a lot of the old Jewish laws dealing with sacrifice and such are no longer fitting with Christ dying on the cross, however I do believe that the Ten Commandments are still something we need to be aware of and obey!! So, I can't say that you're legalistic based on the idea that the Ten Commandments should still be follow...of course unless I'm legalistic too!!
dear cakes, i believe in keepin the commandments that pertain to lovin GOD and puttin no other GODS before HIM... and the ones that pertain to lovin thy neighbor as thyself.. as JESUS said on that hangs all the law and prophets..
so i might be a legalist too.. hehe but i believe it is by my continueing faith and belief in JESUS CHRIST and the grace that was imparted upon me that i am saved.. not by works lest any man boast..
I remember when I first came back to God. There was no one more legalistic than I was at that time. I even wrote home to see if I had been circumcised on the 8th day or not. LOL. I actually had, but it is funny how people's faith goes through cycles that you can recognize in others and just smile.
I am not trying to imply that anyone here is immature, I am just relating past experiences.
As for the original question, to me, a true legalist is someone who believes Christ has come, but that we still have to achieve salvation through our own obedience to the law. Or that we can lose our salvation through disobedience to it.
Either of these beliefs is still believing that we are earning our salvation.
dear folks,,,, cakes i think i understand what youre also saying, it that we are not sposed to continue in sin just because weve been given grace through our belief and faith in JESUS CHRIST.. correct me if im wrong on what youre thinkin..
i agree with ya there if thats right.. .. though there was never none perfect but one.. CHRIST JESUS.. who was witout sin..
i believe none of us are able to be perfect all the time.. and if it werent for grace wed be in trouble hehe..
was grace given so that sin may abound.. nope i dont believe it was..
as for myself im gonna do the best i can and seek forgiveness and mercy when i mess up..
leon , lol that was pretty good you called home to check .. hehe made me chuckle.. i understand what youre sayin though,, its like we look under the rocks ..
im a believer of what you did to get saved to begin with is the only thing that will keep you saved ...
i just dont see how you can do different and keep yourself saved than what ya did to get that way to begin with..
if something couldnt save you to begin with then how could it keep you saved? thats just my thoughts..
I don't see legalism as simply keeping the Law. I've been in on a few strings here about that. Legalism to me is equal to score keeping. Legalists believe they are "better Christians" because they are "more obedient" to any of the commandments in the Bible than others are and they keep track of how good they are and how bad everybody else is. They believe their righteousness depends on their score.
Those of us who believe are Justified at the point of our receiving the gift of Salvation but that Salvation continues to grow through Sanctification which is a process. Anyone who thinks they are better at the process than anyone else because of what they have done or are doing is a legalist.
Many Christians take great license in their belief that we are under grace and therefore we are not responsible to pursue holiness because we are holy under the blood. Well, they are correct to a point but they are not correct in regards to the pursuit of holiness. When someone who understands the absolute necessity to be obedient to the Commandments of God and is trying to work that out in their lives they can find themselves accused of being legalistic. The accusers may be confused about what legalism is but I have found it isn't worth taking personally when you are convinced you are doing the right thing. It also isn't worth arguing about either. Take up your cross. Dust off your feet and move on.
I agree with Cattle. Good post Thunder. Though I don't agree 100% with all of it, I think you nailed the overall view. I'll hash out the differences with you saome other time. LOL. :boxing:
