Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Obedience is not Legalism

Legalism is following man's rules that were not commanded by God and making it a rule for everyone. Obedience is when we want to please God by living as He commanded.
When someone accuses us of "legalism" for bringing to bear the Word of God on a situation in life, they attempt to intimidate us into silence so they can feel comfortable in their sin.
The Holy Spirit in us makes ungodly rebellious people feel troubled and even depressed. Sadness overwhelms those who know the truth but refuse to obey it. They desire to be seen as a good person even though they have no interest in Christ.
All unsaved people are insecure, which is why they must surround themselves with those who accept and even praise their sin. We know they are insecure when they detest us merely because we desire to live for Christ.
Many years ago a friend told me that her family decided that television was becoming too much of a distraction. The children were neglecting their school work to watch it and wasting time. Because of this, they got rid of their television.
One day some extended family members came to their house and noticed the television was gone. My friend didn't say anything about the television to them but they noticed it's absence. The family members chided my friend for thinking they were better than others because they removed the television.
I saw that the TV was gone and felt nothing about it except that perhaps it would be good for everyone to do that. I have a television but restricted it to certain clean shows that we would watch with them and never on a weeknight.
Why was I not offended by what someone else had decided for their home? I was not convicted by what they did, I had my own rules for this problem of television.
Here, was a good example of "family-mobbing" when we do what we see best for our own family and extended family wants to make us feel foolish for our choices that have nothing to do with them and that honor God. Sadly the people who chastised my friend for getting rid of her television attended church every week, even heavily involved in the church.
This gives us an idea what gatherings are like in our region, they are social clubs that expect their attendees to live like the world during the week and come to church all dressed up on the outside and black as coal on the inside.
Matthew 23:27-28
27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 So you too, outwardly appear righteous to people, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."
Don't quote me as saying it doesn't matter how we dress for church, I am a fan of looking our best when attending the gathering. The reason I am is that I believe it reflects an attitude of diligence in our appearance, but this does not mean we judge anyone else about clothing. If we would dress up to go to an office job why would we dress down to worship God.
When we are born again we desire that everything about us is in order.
Matthew 23:15
"15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves."
Everything in our lives ought to reflect our inner heart. However, sometimes our outward appearance is merely a pretense of what we want people to believe is in our heart without any actions taken to cleanse the heart.
Matthew 23:1-11 "23 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples,
2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses.
3 Therefore, whatever they tell you, do and comply with it all, but do not do as they do; for they say things and do not do them.
4 And they tie up heavy burdens and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as their finger.
5 And they do all their deeds to be noticed by other people; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments.
6 And they love the place of honor at banquets, and the seats of honor in the synagogues,
7 and personal greetings in the marketplaces, and being called Rabbi by the people.
8 But as for you, do not be called Rabbi; for only One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters.
9 And do not call anyone on earth your father; for only One is your Father, He who is in heaven.
10 And do not be called leaders; for only One is your Leader, that is, Christ.
11 But the greatest of you shall be your servant.
12 Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted."
What should be our prayer?:
Psalm 139:23-24
"23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
Put me to the test and know my anxious thoughts;
24 And see if there is any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way."
Hallelujah!!!

No comments:

Post a Comment