Legalism

Legalists set aside God’s mercy and grace. The Pharisees were legalists. Legalism teaches that we can by our own efforts keep the law and that we are saved by keeping the law. Highlighting the importance of keeping God’s law is not legalism. The whole universe is controlled by laws ranging from physical laws to social laws. The controversy in heaven started when Satan rebelled against God’s law stating that it was unnecessary and harmful.

All legalism, all the sorrow for sin will not give you one moment of relief. You cannot rightly estimate sin. You must accept God's estimate, and it is heavy indeed. If you bore the guilt of your sin, it would crush you; but the sinless One has taken your place, and though undeserving, He has borne your guilt. By accepting the provision God has made, you may stand free before Him in the merit and virtue of your Substitute.

 James sums up the relationship between faith and works, legalism and grace: “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:17-26

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Legalism.
written by Roberto Sena, December 13, 2009

Of Course that highlighting the importance of keeping God's law is not legalism. Legalism is to think that we can be saved by our own efforts. To keep the Law without the help of the Lord is impossible. The Law of God is good and it is like a mirror where we can see our sins. Although, if we preach the Law and do not point the Saviour of the sins of the world, our preaching is dry like a desert withou water, water of life. There is a Law, there is a Judge and there is a Lawyer and there is a sinner. The Judge does not make mistakes. The Lawyer is the Best one. The sinner trusts in His Lawyer. This is the Gospel. The Good News. We have to say, hay, people, you may be wrong and lost but there is a God who love you and sent His only Son to be in your place when your judgement comes. To preach the Law and do not preach about Jesus is not to preach the Gospel. When we show Jesus to people and when they accept it truly, the Law will be written in their hearts. When people is thirsty, they need water and do not need stone. Jesus is the water and the Law is written on the stone. The Law is good, but does not save anyone, because we are all lost without the Grace of the Lord. To teach the Law is important, but to teach about the Author of the Law is still more important. Maranatha.

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