Tag Archives: Legalism
“God, I Thank You That I’m Not Like That Guy!”
Christians get very angry toward other Christians who sin differently than they do.
HT: @cslchsnmore
The True Labor Day Rest
Peace is the result of justification by faith. The person who relies on his works for justification can have no peace.
Charles Hodge (1797 – 1878) on Romans 5.1
Legalism Is Overcompensation
Men who know they are wrong in one direction often struggle to make things right by excess of zeal in another direction. That very zeal is their condemnation.
J. C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on John Vol. 3 (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2012), 180.
Did You Break the Rules or God’s Heart?
Legalistic remorse says, “I broke God’s rules,” while real repentance says, “I broke God’s heart.”
HT: challies.com
Legalism Cannot Love
Legalism lacks the supreme sense of worship. It obeys but it does not adore.
HT: @smallgroupshome
True Separation and Personal Holiness
Separation without devotion to the Lord becomes isolation, but devotion without separation is hypocrisy (See 2 Cor. 6.14-7.1).
Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Determined (Colorado Springs: Chariotvictor Publishing, 1992), 109.
Morality Preaching vs. Biblical Preaching
A message [sermon] that merely advocates morality and compassion remains sub-Christian even if the preacher can prove that the Bible demands such behaviors. By ignoring the sinfulness of humankind, which makes even our best works tainted before God (Isa. 64.6; Luke 17.10), and by neglecting the grace of God, which make obedience possible and acceptable (1 Cor. 15.10; Eph. 2.8-9), such messages necessarily subvert the Christian message. Christian preachers often do not recognize this counter-gospel impact of their preaching because they are simply recounting a behavior clearly specified in the portion of the text in front of them. But a message that even inadvertently teaches others that their works merit God’s acceptance inevitably leads people away from the Gospel. By themselves, moral axioms and advocacy of ethical conduct fall short of the requirements of biblical preaching.
Brian Chapell, Christ-centered Preaching (Grand Rapids; Baker Academic, 2005), 220.
Legalism = Conditional Love
Divine love made conditional upon human obedience is mere legalism, even if the actions commended have biblical precedent. The only obedience approved by God is that which He Himself enables and sanctifies through the union with Christ He provides.
Brian Chapell, Christ-centered Preaching (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2005), 287
Blessing Is Conditioned on Christ’s Perfect Obedience
To live by grace means we understand that God’s blessing on our lives is not conditioned by our obedience or disobedience but by the perfect obedience of Christ. It means that out of a grateful response to the grace of God, we seek to understand His will and to obey Him, not to be blessed, but because we have been blessed.
Jerry Bridges, Transforming Grace (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1991), 99-100.
Life Is Worship 