I mentioned in my sermon yesterday that legalism was the cause of making the people of Israel feel harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Here are ten flaws related to a legalistic approach to the Christian faith and Bible:
(1) New laws continually need to be invented for new situations. (2) Accountability to God is replaced by accountability to men. (3) It reduces a person's ability to personally discern. (4) It creates a judgmental spirit. (5) The Pharisees confused personal preferences with divine law. (6) It produces inconsistencies. (7) It created a false standard of righteousness. (8) It became a burden to the Jews. (9) It was strictly external. (10) It was rejected by Christ. Outlined from Fan The Flame, J. Stowell, Moody, 1986, p. 52.
I would challenge each of us not to fall into the legalism trap. At times we can do that if rules become more important than relationships, if we live on tradition rather than out of tradition. Legalism is a major factor for the lack of church involvement from young folks who seek spiritual guidance today. Too many on the outside seeus as hard, cold, fixed and closed-minded. That is not true of all of us, but is true for some of us. It is time for us to repent and not let the legalists ruin the Chritian faith or church. We must remain steadfast in our absolute commitment to love of God and love of neighbor.
Dr. Fitzgerald
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It's certainly a legalism/relationship balancing act for Presbyterians this week. Thank you for your prayers and especially for your comments to Jacob. They meant a lot to him.
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