In another forum someone asked a good question about what are the signs one might know they are walking more of an attitude of legalism rather than by God’s grace. I think this is an important question Christians should think about.
Here’s my quick reply:
- I found that this is where an honest no-nonsense evaluation of our motivation for all that we do is very important. Why do you the right thing? Regularly think about your motives.
- I think it’s also important to detect for pride in our life. Is there pride in self for “walking in God?” That’s a symptom right away that we’re really driven more by self-righteousness and desire to glorify self instead of walking to please God.
- Check your prayer life. If we really are walking in God’s grace, we would practice dependent responsibility. That is, we take actions towards godliness and cultivate virtues but we know it’s God’s grace that is working within us, and if we really understand that, we would be praying more to God than if we are trusting in our own power. Do you pray for God for strength and ability to walk in Him? We would if we understand the role of God’s grace in the Christian life. Do we also have prayers of praise to God for His grace shown to us our in our lives, knowing we wholeheartedly don’t deserve the boasting but that He does?
- Of course all the above we would not do it perfectly if we are honest because of the reality of remaining sins in our lives. I think it’s important not just to look for signs of legalism in our lives but to regularly preach the Gospel to ourselves daily as the only cure from legalism (and being libertines) is the Gospel! The Gospel is the powerful motivation for what we do and it is the power of God that saves us and power for the Christian life! If we understand what God has done to save us, and who He is, we would grow in our love for Him seeing His love for us. That love for Him gives us a heart of gratitude. A heart of love for God and a heart with gratitude is our motivation for the Christian life! We do all things with loving obedience for Him. We’re fighting sin not even to “be victorious” but moment by moment loving obedience.
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Very nice Brother Jim. Amazing how the conversations we have often produce the best posts! This subject has been on my mind lately as well. Thanks for this!
So true! I think I need to make posts out of conversations more…there’s something that is more natural rather than sitting there trying to think of a post to write. Hope things are going well in your end!
LOL. Glad to see another sometimes gets stuck when trying to write.
I am well, thanks. Finally on days off. Right now I am on a 12 on 2 off schedule, so keeping up is really hard to do.
How did teaching go last night?
Wow 12 days on and 2 off? How long is that going to go for? It will take its toll eventually.
I think the teaching went well last night! I posted the outline on here last night. Had our church guys read straight from it since I didn’t print it in time, so that was a bit different (blog=Bible study?). We have couples from other churches that join us and it seems the feedback indicated people were really blessed.
Well, a couples ministry is a good thing. Anything that can be done to teach couple how to stay together is a goo d thing for sure.
Ha..in the about 8 years I have done what I do, 6 day work weeks have been the norm far more than they have been unusual. I don’t think about it much any more to tell the truth. Although, as the years go by it does get harder to do. Thanks for the concern.
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Thanks for reblogging this! I do hope your health is a bit better, if not even much more better.
You’re very welcome Pastor Jim! It has and continues to improve!
Hey Brother Vincent. I didn’t know you had been not well. Sorry to hear that and prayers for you
Thanks Brother Wally!
Well said! J.
Thank you brother.
Wow that is really a great question and post as well. I would add one thing. If you notice that you are really concerned about other people you may be leaning toward legalism. I mean if you are bothered when other people are not living up to your standard of spiritual discipline.
There’s truth to that! Of course there’s area for spiritual concern for others out of love but you’re right, this counterfeit you mentioned is often more about comparing others to oneself as the standard. It’s often asking others “see, look at him…but look at my standards!” Thanks Mike for reading and a very good point.
Hi Michael
Well, that was timely. I was just sitting here crabbing in my mind about somebody else. Not sure if I should say thanks for that comment or quit meddling in my mind. Great point though.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Let’s be honest, I wouldn’t have known that if I hadn’t lived it myself, as well, at some point. 👍🏻👍🏻
Amazing though how God gets His message to us sometimes.
[…] The topic of legalism vs grace, and even the other extreme of license seems to be a hot topic in the blog world lately. Here is a great, succinct explanation of how we can tell the difference by my friend Jim. […]
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