Why do you despise me?

I don't understand your reaction:

• I am trying with all my might to live according to the law of God.
• I am trying to be a good example to you.
• I want to live a holy life.

Oh, it's because:

• I am self-righteous, i.e., not righteous at all but deluded into thinking I am.
• I thought that God favored me over other people because of my behavior, i.e., I thought I was holier-than-thou.
• I failed to see how self-centered my life is.

God, awake all the self-righteous from their dream of being justified before you by their works. Bring to them, as you have to me, the reality of our helpless state before you. Help us to abandon all hope in ourselves, and to find our only hope in the work of your Son. How precious is His name!

Unity in unity

"I propose to regard all of God's children as my brothers. I intend to treat them as brothers. I have resolved to make nothing a test of fellowship which God has not made a condition of salvation. I shall accuse no one of being an Antichrist who is built upon the one foundation simply because he differs with me about such things as instrumental music or the millennium. I will not allow our divergent views upon such matters to keep me from associating with any of my brothers, or helping all of them.

I shall go visit any group to share what I have learned, and to share in what they have learned. I shall go with none of them in partisan alliance, for my allegiance is to Jesus Christ. I am joined to Him and through Him to all others who are joined unto Him. Never again will I be a champion of any party, faction, or clique. I refuse to be affiliated with any clan in which my love for these precludes my love for those. He is my all!"

--W. Carl Ketcherside, The Twisted Scriptures, pg. 152

Disclaimer

Just between you and me, I'm all talk. It's very easy to write out all these things on a blog, that doesn't necessarily translate into living them. Do as I say, not as I do.

A friend of Pharisees

Who were the Pharisees? The name meant "the separated ones". They were also known by another name that meant "loyal to God". Among the Jews, who by and large were devoted followers of God, they were the extremists, the fanatical, the zealots. They took religion seriously, and their behavior showed it. They strove to live very holy and good lives according to the law. Can you imagine the dismay that people felt when they heard Jesus say the following:

"For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:20 RSV).

If they can't make it, who can? Does that mean heaven will be empty? I know the kind of life I'm living, and it's not up to their level.

When I hear someone teaching about the Pharisees, I usually hear what I was taught in church growing up. "The Pharisees were bad, they were hypocrites. We Christians are good, because we are really living the way God wants us to, not just saying that we are like the Pharisees did." I hope you see the problem. Pharisee-ism will never be dead, as long as there are people trying to be good. Isn't that messed up?! I think it is a perfect illustration of the problem of sin, why it is beyond human ability to escape it, or overcome it. Even in people's best, sincere efforts to do good, they will sin.

Aren't we awfully quick to judge the Pharisees and set ourselves up as the standard of righteousness? Are we just as blind as they were? Do you know what is one of the common objections that Jews today have against Christianity? They say it has great appeal to people because it's a religion that doesn't require it's followers to do anything! It is too easy! Compare that against the strict requirements that the Jews have to follow. I hope you can see their point.

Now, if you grew up in a legalistic form of Christianity, I hope you will see how similar the argument is. Others may say they are Christians, but if they are not keeping God's laws as we are, then they cannot really be saved. It is too easy! Look at all the regulations we are following; they are clearly not our equals before God.

Let's think about where the Pharisees went wrong. Were they regular church goers? Yes. Were they committed to God? Yes. Were they overt sinners? No, and it's too bad for them that they were not. The man who knows he is a sinner has a wonderful advantage over the man who thinks he is righteous. The one will stand or fall before God on his own merits. The other cries out for mercy, for a way of escape. The mercy of God is Jesus Christ, the friend of sinners.

See That Pharisee

Seest thou that Pharisee, Going up to prayer, Telling God his pedigree With a lordly air ? Hear him mutter, with a sneer, "Publican, come not thou near." Seest thou that Pharisee, On the Jericho road ; Wounded man he failed to see, As he upward strode ; Temple service could not wait On he went at auto gait. Seest thou that Pharisee, In his long-tailed coat, Peering in his neighbor's eye, Looking for a mote ? Would it not far wiser seem To remove his own big beam ? Seest thou that Pharisee, Boastful, vain and proud He is far too good to be Mingling with the crowd What to him Is infidel, Or a sinning damosel ? Seest thou that Pharisee, In his white cravat, On his big, round salary, Growing sleek and fat ? With his stylish hat and cloak, What cares he for us poor folk ? Poor, deluded Pharisee, See the Saviour meek, Sinners vile beyond degree, In His mercy seek. Pharisee, just stand and wait, While these pass the pearly gate. __J. M. Cavaness.

Intervention

As a recovering legalist, I feel it is my job to point out legalism wherever I see it. Probably to some people that can seem a bit extreme, but when you know what a poison legalism is, I think you become more hyper-aware of its presence, as well as having a lower tolerance for any of its forms.

More and more legalism is being taught and pushed at the church we attend. It is largely because of this that I bring you the following quiz, which can be found at http://www.ptm.org/, where they have a lot of content on legalism. It is worth checking out.

Could you be a legalist?—Take the quiz!

Answer yes or no to the following questions:

1) God's love for me depends on what I do.

2) Meeting the expectations of others, especially those in my congregation or in positions of authority, are paramount.

3) Moral and ethical questions are usually black and white and only made into fuzzy shades of gray by hand-wringing, bleeding-heart types.

4) I try hard to obey God and it irritates me that others think they can get away with avoiding the same level of dedication.

5) I fall short because I don't have enough faith, or because I haven't prayed enough, or because I just need to be a better person.

6) God is predisposed to be angry with me because I am a sinner. My main goal in life is to try to gain God's favor by doing things that will impress him.

7) My sense of spiritual well-being is linked to a Christian leader or membership in my church rather than a personal relationship with God.

8) I tell my children not to do something in church or around other Christian families that I allow in my home.

9) I believe my church is God's true church and that most other Christians may be sincere, but are sincerely wrong.

10) The exterior choices a person makes in what they wear, hairstyle, piercings, tattoos, etc. is a clear indication of that person's character.

11) I sometimes worry that people might take advantage of grace if it's preached too much —people might think they can do anything they want.

12) After being around Christians for a while I feel drained —weary of putting up a false front.

13) When I happen to miss a service or activity of my church I feel guilty.

14) I will likely get into heaven, even though I'm far from perfect, because I have tried to be a basically good person and God will take that into account.

Are you doing your best?

What can legalism produce?

Despair: You recognize your inability to keep the law.

Pride: You begin to feel superior because of the laws you feel you are keeping.

The close cousin of pride, judgemental-ism: you look down on others that you feel are not keeping the law.

More moralism

Don't get me wrong.

I like the church we go to. But.... the preacher we heard last Sunday was giving the message that we need to "have a plan to stop sinning." I couldn't help but laugh every time he said it. I don't think my wife appreciates that.

I'll say it again, don't get me wrong. I think this preacher has the best of intentions. I think he truly is heart-broken over the problems he sees in his congregation, and I think also that he is depressed at the lack of enthusiasm he sees in people.

Now call me cynical, (and you'll be right) but that is where I see things differently. Yes, it is too bad that people aren't doing a better job, but isn't that why we're called "human"? If you're putting your hope in people, get used to disappointment.

For me, it boils down to this: It is not about us, or how good of a job we are or are not doing. We are all sinners. Romans 5:14, "Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come." Even without the law we are doomed! The law simply spells out the details for us, giving us the specifics of our damnation.

When I die, I don't want my hope to be in how good a life I have lived. I would never get another night's sleep. No matter how good I am, I am lost without a Savior. No matter how bad I am, I am lost without a Savior. Thank God for the Savior, Jesus Christ, and for the promises to those who believe.

"but as many as received him, to them gave he the right to be children of God, to those that believe on his name;" --John 1:12

Moralism

mor·al   
[mawr-uhl]
–adjective
1.
of, pertaining to, or concerned with the principles or rules of right conduct or the distinction between right and wrong; ethical: moral attitudes.

"We sin against Christ and we misrepresent the Gospel when we suggest to sinners that what God demands of them is moral improvement in accordance with the Law. Moralism makes sense to sinners, for it is but an expansion of what we have been taught from our earliest days. But moralism is not the Gospel, and it will not save. The only gospel that saves is the Gospel of Christ. As Paul reminded the Galatians, “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” [Gal. 4:4-5]

We are justified by faith alone, saved by grace alone, and redeemed from our sin by Christ alone. Moralism produces sinners who are (potentially) better behaved. The Gospel of Christ transforms sinners into the adopted sons and daughters of God.

The Church must never evade, accommodate, revise, or hide the law of God. Indeed, it is the Law that shows us our sin and makes clear our inadequacy and our total lack of righteousness. The Law cannot impart life but, as Paul insists, it “has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.” [Gal. 3:24]

The deadly danger of moralism has been a constant temptation to the church and an ever-convenient substitute for the Gospel. Clearly, millions of our neighbors believe that moralism is our message. Nothing less than the boldest preaching of the Gospel will suffice to correct this impression and to lead sinners to salvation in Christ.

Hell will be highly populated with those who were “raised right.” The citizens of heaven will be those who, by the sheer grace and mercy of God, are there solely because of the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ.

Moralism is not the gospel."

--Albert Mohler