The Legalistic Elephant In The Room

[Michael37]

A rigid set of theological rules that must be followed to receive the blessing and favour of God.

A strict code of conduct that must be observed to receive the acceptance and approval of the elders.

A heavy yoke of indoctrination that must be borne to ensure that "correct beliefs" are held by everyone.

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There is a spirit of legalism.

Gal 3:1-9
(1)  O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.
(2)  I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?
(3)  Are you so foolish? After starting in the Spirit, are you now finishing in the flesh?
(4)  Have you suffered so much for nothing, if it really was for nothing?
(5)  Does God lavish His Spirit on you and work miracles among you because you practice the law, or because you hear and believe?
(6)  So also, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
(7)  Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham.
(8)  The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”
(9)  So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
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There is a curse upon legalists.

Gal 3:10-14
(10)  All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”
(11)  Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.”
(12)  The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.”
(13)  Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”
(14)  He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
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Legalism is to be avoided by God's People because it quenches the Holy Spirit.

It also eclipses gracious communion with ungracious criticism, and sets people against each other.

We should be patient with legalists, but also wary of them lest we be deceived into joining them.

 

[Marilyn C]

Hi Michael,

I would also add the emotional nonverbal requirements, eg.

"If you don`t attend man`s public meetings each week then you are backsliding."

"Man`s public meetings by organisations are the only recognized authority of the church."

"You have to obey the person up front." Meaning whatever they say is right, whereas the word `obey` in Greek mean to listen to and obviously weigh up if it is correct. 

[Marathoner]

Well done, brother. Legalism has been hotly contested by some for a very long time, with proponents insisting that the term never appears in scripture.

In this they are correct --- the term doesn't appear --- but the substance of legalism is indeed addressed by our Lord and His apostles, and you have provided relevant passages briefly in a concise manner. Well done!

I point toward Acts 15 as a great example of the Spirit addressing legalism in the Body of Christ, which is characterized as a burden not imposed by the Lord. The Lord did not require observance of the Law of Moses, and a council of brethren in Jerusalem led by James settled the matter by sending a letter to that effect to the ekklesia. 

I'm with our sister @Marilyn C as well regarding churches, and how attendance and obedience to these organizations does not equate to faithfulness on our part. When the Lord has sent me to a church/public meeting, it has always been about a work He intends to unfold. At the same time, it has also been about certain saints of Christ who happen to be there. The work which the Lord carried out had to do with them specifically, even though what the Lord did appeared to benefit me...

Such as that time He sent me to a tiny church (13 brothers and sisters), and corrected a defect of the spine I had been born with during my visit. Thus why I say that I pass through the door of a public meeting (church) only when the Lord bids me to go. I go wherever He sends me. That's what we do!

I don't suffer from lack of fellowship by any means for the Lord gives me everything. My primary focus is the work which Christ has me doing right here where I am. He provides brothers for me to lean upon, and who also lean upon me. 

I understand there are some who struggle with that and who misunderstand what I'm saying: we do that work which the Lord sends us to do wherever we go. Do all things unto Lord.

Legalism can't cope with that. I understand.

Edited January 29, 2023 by Marathoner
Omitted word

[Mr. M]

14 hours ago, Michael37 said:

Legalism is to be avoided by God's People because it quenches the Holy Spirit.

It also eclipses gracious communion with ungracious criticism, and sets people against each other.

We should be patient with legalists, but also wary of them lest we be deceived into joining them.

Doing anything "religiously" is a form of legalism.

Even if you feel it is important to be in the church "every time the doors are open",

this cannot be a habit, because it is the heart that must be open. You can attend services

to receive, but also "shed abroad". Always open to the leading of the Spirit. Someone at every

service may need something the Lord has given you, and you must be prepared to give of yourself.

Acts 11:23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that

with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. 

purpose [G4286] prothesis= used in the Gospels for the showbread.

Luke 6:

 3 But Jesus answering them said, “Have you not even read this, what David did

when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: 

how he went into the house of God, took and ate the showbread, [G4286]

and also gave some to those with him, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat?

In order to minister, and be ministered to, our hearts must lie open before the Lord.

This is 'purpose of heart'. 

Other similar expressions

1 Timothy 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.

Luke 1:75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.

Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram,

and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

[Michael37]

11 hours ago, Mr. M said:

Doing anything "religiously" is a form of legalism.

Even if you feel it is important to be in the church "every time the doors are open",

Many years ago I moved into a boarding situation with other young single Christian men. One of them was a member of the Salvation Army and if he missed a Sunday service he would get a phone call from a "sergeant at arms" wanting an explanation.

In the AOG I was involved with for ten years, before they could be issued with a membership certificate those who applied for official membership had to sign an agreement that they would not go more than 3 weeks without attending services. 

I have observed that many are happy with such administrative provisions and like the sense of industry that is often associated with them, but I am uncomfortable with the "one size fits all" model that is imposed on fellowshipping by institutional religion.

[Starise]

Have some made it too complex?

Simply meet together and worship, study, fellowship.

[Michael37]

3 minutes ago, Starise said:

Have some made it too complex?

Simply meet together and worship, study, fellowship.

All meetings must open and close in prayer . . . yes or no?

[Mr. M]

10 minutes ago, Michael37 said:

Many years ago I moved into a boarding situation with other young single Christian men. One of them was a member of the Salvation Army and if he missed a Sunday service he would get a phone call from a "sergeant at arms" wanting an explanation.

In the AOG I was involved with for ten years, before they could be issued with a membership certificate those who applied for official membership had to sign an agreement that they would not go more than 3 weeks without attending services. 

I have observed that many are happy with such administrative provisions and like the sense of industry that is often associated with them, but I am uncomfortable with the "one size fits all" model that is imposed on fellowshipping by institutional religion.

Sounds like textbook rules and regs to me.

[Starise]

3 minutes ago, Michael37 said:

All meetings must open and close in prayer . . . yes or no?

Most do. Not an express requirement so far as I can tell.

[Mr. M]

2 minutes ago, Michael37 said:

All meetings must open and close in prayer . . . yes or no?

We always formally invited the Holy Spirit to enter in and run the meeting.

And it wasn't a formality, we were serious about it. Assume nothing. I saw unfamiliar 

faces who showed up get up and leave. How's that for ushering in, and ushering out.

Prayer throughout, for every issue. If any question or doubt arose, prayer, not debate.