| Pulling the Weeds of Legalism | |||
Colossians 2:16-2:23 | |||
| | Pulling the Weeds of Legalism Almost every state in our nation still has laws on their books that would surprise most people. For instance, In some states a woman may be fined for falling asleep under a hair dryer. In Indiana, citizens are not allowed to attend a movie house or ride in a public streetcar within four hours after eating garlic. In another state, a man with a moustache may not kiss a woman. West Virginia no member of the clergy is allowed to tell jokes or humorous stories from the pulpit. This growth can be stunted, or even choked to death by the weeds of legalism. Legalism can be defined as a strict adherence to the law. Specifically, as it relates to faith, a legalist is one who believes that performance is the way to gain favor with God. Legalism is the human attempt to gain salvation or prove our spirituality by outward conformity to a list of religious "do's" and "don'ts." It's often disguised in Christian terms and behavior. observations about legalism. 1. We tend to think others are legalistic, but that we're not. -we're all legalistic by nature. We tend to judge others by our own standards of what is acceptable and what isn't. - we think our sins smell better than other people's. 2. Legalism is highly contagious. - legalism can spread like a bad virus through an entire congregation. -Jesus reserved some of his harshest criticism for legalistic list-makers Mark 7:6-8: "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men." 3. Legalism can take a vibrant faith and make it dull and lifeless. -It can evaporate enthusiasm, joy, spirituality. -Instead of finding freedom through Christ, many believers become burdened by the church. 4. Legalism produces large quantities of self-righteousness, judgment and condemnation. -It put's it's focus on misguided sacrifice -It make's its followers to evaluate their relationship with God on the basis of standards and expects others to do the same. -Superficial spirituality short-circuits the work of grace. 5. Legalism makes us narrow. -The legalist insists that everyone live up to the standard they have adopted. In other words -It says, "everyone needs to be like me". (WHAT ABOUT CHRISTIANS IN AFRICA?) -It says "everyone has to worship like me". (THERE ARE DIVERSITIES OF MUSIC) 6. Legalism makes it impossible for people to see Jesus. Do you see how subtle and sneaky legalism is? Its weeds are under the surface in each of our lives. -Kneeling to pray is a good thing but it can easily become the standard by which we judge other people's spirituality. Remember our legal standing (Colossians 2:9-15). Resist the lures of legalism (Colossians 2:16-23). | ||
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