I recently had a friend, who I do not believe is saved, tell me "You know, my favorite person in the Bible is James...he puts his money where his mouth is." Lately, I have been wrestling with two ideas (if you have any input on this I would appreciate it). On one side I hate legalism. There are few things I honestly hate, legalism may top that list.
Simply, legalism is a list of DO's and DONT's Christians create. It is a list by which we determine our value as a Christian or by which we judge our level of spirituality. It breeds, by nature, self-righteousness and spiritual pride. It can also breed a false sense of humility. It becomes a basis by which we judge one another. It takes sanctification out of God's hands and we fool ourselves into believing we are "good Christians". Legalism divides churches into the super spiritual ones and those who "really need to work on that". It hinders people from serving the church simply because they do not share the same "convictions". It makes us think we are obtaining a "higher position" as a Christian because we don't, say, go to movies. I believe it is one of the most horible things we can participate as Christians. It creates and makes Judges and Pharisees out of us.
That said, here is my other issue....faith without works is dead.
I do believe and live by that verse. I believe that God has enabled me and required me to do good works. I don't care what the work looks like, as long as it is Biblical. It is one of the reasons, including compassion, that I am involved with the Trinity Rescue Mission. I believe it is the perogative and a requirement of Christianity. If we don't show the world what love is in action, how can we tell them what it is in words? It would be like saying,"I have met God Himself, now leave me alone while I sit at home." If we claim to have met God Almighty, if we claim to know Perfect Love, if we claim to be "temples of the Holy Spirit" Who is love, how on earth can we not act on it?
But, of course, we can decide to not act on it. I believe it is a reason God commands us to love our neighbor (the fallen man in the Good Samaritan story). We don't get a choice in the matter. We are fallen and if left to our own devices would sit complacently while the hurting world dies around us.
But then, am I begining to live out of duty or a sense of legalism? Am I becoming a legalist in demanding of myself good works? THAT'S IT! That is my struggle today!
I think the simple answer is no. Working out of a heart of compassion and obeying God is not legalism. But it seems so close it bothers me sometimes....that's all...
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2 comments:
I agree, most of us forget that works is a requirement of salvation (sanctification). The problem with legalism is that it tries take something that is individual and apply it corporately. Luckily the only people who are affected by it are those who subscribe to it. I don't care if someone thinks they are better than I am - I know they aren't. Just keep on keepin on bro.
My problem is when the line gets blurred, you know? In your own life where do you draw the line between a good work and doing something that makes you feel good? Catch my drift? Like where Jesus says that one day we will stand before him to give account of our works. I want to be sure that the things I do are indeed good works and not "check list" type things....
PS HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUKE!!!!!!!!!!!
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