ARE YOU WALKING IN LEGALISM OR LIBERTY??
I am sure I have at least alluded too at least in the last few months to the fact that I have become painfully aware how LEGALISTIC I had become. I have no doubt, that the influence came in my teen years, when I was a member of a “Holiness” church, and this continued on and I guess deepened even more when I served in Pentecostal Ministry for over 50 years.
My Dictionary tells me that being legalistic is very much a religion of works and not of faith. The Word of clearly condemns many sins and we are told NOT to commit them, but there seems to be that fine line between obedience to the Word of God,or living under a “code of ethics” and even being self righteous about it. Without realising it, I believe in many ways I had slipped into this category. Isn’t the Lord so good despite my legalism He still anointed my ministry and let me see much good fruit for the Kingdom of God.
Sadly, I have come to see that in tandem with Legalism there can come a pharisaical spirit, where one can be proud of how well one is adhering to the “code of ethics” and yet deep down know that despite the legalism, there was still plenty of sin in my life, which I sure sought to repent of regularly. Another negative fruit of legalism is you can become very judgemental of other Christians because they do not adhere so consistently to your “code of ethics. Instead of doing what the Word of says we criticise and condemn them. I have needed to repent of my legaIistic judgemental spirit, and need to continually watch that it does NOT ensnare me again. I have written all the above to highlight a verse that has really challenged me afresh today. Paul needed to write to the Galatian church because they had slipped into legalism, and the first 5 chapters are written challenging the Galatians not to walk in legalism but to walk in the Spirit, and in Galatians 6:1-4 NKJV he writes Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
The MESSAGE also expresses it so well:Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.
Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others.
When you are free of Legalism and a Pharasaitical spirit you can then do as Paul encourages us to do. God wants us to have a Ministry of Restoration, and with that fruit of the Spirit GENTLENESS (Gal. 5:23) and AGAPE (Gal.5:22) (non judgemental) love come along side them.
I am reminded of the Greek word Parakletos which is translated COMFORTER and Jesus describes the Holy Spirit as the Parekletos in John 14;16,28, 15:26, 16:7. It is also translated Helper, Counsellor, and Advocate, the One who comes along side to meet our need. This same picture is here described in Galatians 6:1, we as a Spirit filled, Believer, and not being judgemental are to come along side a brother and with the Holy Spirit’s guidance and ministry through you see him restored and set free.
Much of this blog highlights the dangers of legalism, and the potentially bad fruit it can produce in the life of the Believer, but if we are free of such negative stuff, we can be an INSTRUMENT, a CHANNEL, a VESSEL, and a REFLECTOR of the blessing and glory of God, in the body of Christ.
It is Friday afternoon here in Australia, I pray as you prepare for the weekend, you will encounter the Lord in a special wonderful way in church, may you (and I) move to a new level of victory and purity And power AMEN.
