The Results Of Legalism

[jiggyfly]

Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. (Galatians 5:1 NLT)

Legalism always crucifies Christ afresh because legalism cuts out the greatest word in Christianity. The word over the door into true Christianity is the word: "Grace." Legalism always wipes out"Grace," and puts in its place "Law." Grace is the chief word in the vocabulary of the Christian. Do you notice that where legalism reaches its fullest expression, it always puts the crucifix in the place of the empty tomb? The badge of the Christian is the empty tomb. That is "Life from the dead." The badge of legalism is a crucifix, "a dead Christ." Legalism always brings death, and the chief thing about Christ is resurrection. It is Life from the dead. This was something that Paul came to see when it pleased God to reveal His Son in him. And he said, "Let me get out of all this legalistic system. Jesus of Nazareth Whom we crucified is alive. He has been revealed alive in my heart."

If we really see the Lord Jesus, we shall be emancipated. Some of us have had that experience. We were in legal systems; our horizon was that system. Then the day came when the Lord opened our eyes to really see the significance of Christ. And that whole system fell away as being all nonsense. No, it is not our business to say, "Come out of this and that, and come into this other." The word "must" or "thou shall" does not belong to this realm. That belongs to the old legal realm. The "must" becomes a spiritual thing, not a legal thing. We could say of Paul, there was a mighty "must" in his spirit. "I have seen the Lord, and I am seeing more and more of what the Lord is, and this is creating in me this great imperative. 'This one thing I do, leaving the things which are behind, I press on toward the mark of the prize of the on-high calling.'" So we do not say, "Change your system." But we do say, "Ask the Lord to reveal His Son in you." Then the great work of emancipation will begin.


By T. Austin-Sparks from: "That They May All Be One, Even As We Are One" - Meeting 29

 

[philosopher]

More than anything else, I think that legalism ostracizes people and leads them away from true Christianity. Man always likes to add on their own rules and regulations without scriptural support. For instance, I know of some churches which discourage men from having a beard, because apparently it is offensive. This is nonsense though and more in line with traditions of men.

 

[David777]

Hello all.

I think legalism creates divisions, due to differing interpretations.

Legalism is a mindset, "this is what it says and God help anyone that disagrees with me."

Legalism will not comprehend Grace, nor will legalism ever be humble.

 

[Christ4Ever]

it always puts the crucifix in the place of the empty tomb? The badge of the Christian is the empty tomb. That is "Life from the dead." The badge of legalism is a crucifix, "a dead Christ."

You can't separate them brother. You can't have a risen Christ without His death, just as you can't have His death, without His birth. He Lived! He Died! He Rose Again! If you meant to only associate it as an example of "legalism" then you'd do better to find another description, because by negating the Cross and replacing it with the Tomb you're just using the other side of the same coin as they are. One badge won't suffice. You'll need three badges not one or two, but all three for greater clarity.
How did you decide on the use of "badges" anyway?
Love you Brother
C4E

 

[Peace Seeker]

More than anything else, I think that legalism ostracizes people and leads them away from true Christianity. Man always likes to add on their own rules and regulations without scriptural support. For instance, I know of some churches which discourage men from having a beard, because apparently it is offensive. This is nonsense though and more in line with traditions of men.

That reminds me of a church I attended once, where all the men had beards and it was seen as a badge of honor and spirituality, and actually a requirement. I had a goatee at the time and they remarked that it was a sign of dishonor that biblical slaves used to have, as in they couldn't have a full beard because of their lower position in society, or something like that. I never went back.
Yes, the traditions of men indeed, nullifying the word of God by their traditions...

 

[David777]

Hello Peace Seeker.

This is legalism at its most deplorable,

That reminds me of a church I attended once, where all the men had beards
and it was seen as a badge of honor and spirituality, and actually a requirement.
I had a goatee at the time and they remarked that it was a sign of dishonor that
biblical slaves used to have

I struggle to understand the depths that the legalistic mindset will stoop to.
Talk about cleaning the outside of the cup, this is beyond ridiculous.

 

[Peace Seeker]

I think legalism creates divisions, due to differing interpretations.

Legalism will not comprehend ever be humble.

So true. I have noticed in some people, the more legalism they have, the less humility. Legalism emphasizes external things more than internal and looks at self instead of God.

HEAVEN'S ENTRANCE EXAM: A man dies and goes to heaven. He is met at the Pearly Gates by a Heavenly custodian.
The custodian says, "Here's how it works. You need 100 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you've done, and I give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was.
When you reach 100 points, you get in."
"Okay," the man says, "I was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart."
"That's wonderful," said the Custodian "that's worth three points!"
"Three points?" he said. "Well, I professed all my life; never missed a meeting! And I supported the ministers financially and any other way I could."
"Terrific!" responded the Custodian. "That's certainly worth two points."
"Two points?! I worked every year at the annual convention and in preparation for the convention for several days too; for years and years!"
"Fantastic, that's good for two more points, " he said..
"Two points!" the man cried. "At this rate the only way I’ll get into heaven is by the grace of God."
"Bingo, 100 points! Come on in!"

 

[Peace Seeker]

This is legalism at its most deplorable,

That reminds me of a church I attended once, where all the men had beards
and it was seen as a badge of honor and spirituality, and actually a requirement.
I had a goatee at the time and they remarked that it was a sign of dishonor that
biblical slaves used to have

I struggle to understand the depths that the legalistic mindset will stoop to.
Talk about cleaning the outside of the cup, this is beyond ridiculous.

Yeah, that church was quite an extreme example. Maybe once one starts on the road to a legalistic mindset it becomes like a drug that one needs more of?
And as ridiculous as the beard thing is to you and I, they were dead serious, that's what's scary.

 

[jiggyfly]

You can't separate them brother. You can't have a risen Christ without His death, just as you can't have His death, without His birth. He Lived! He Died! He Rose Again! If you meant to only associate it as an example of "legalism" then you'd do better to find another description, because by negating the Cross and replacing it with the Tomb you're just using the other side of the same coin as they are. One badge won't suffice. You'll need three badges not one or two, but all three for greater clarity.
How did you decide on the use of "badges" anyway?
Love you Brother
C4E

I didn't write the devotional. I don't see that the author is even trying to negate the cross. Maybe you should reread it.



Legalism always wipes out"Grace," and puts in its place "Law."? This is so true.

 

[Christ4Ever]

Sorry that I implied the writer was you brother. I realize you didn't write it, however, you did post it I must take greater care with my wording.

He T. Austin-Sparks is the one who provides the division between Cross & Tomb and identifies them as badges (Which I'm still curious about). One posed as a question (Legalism) and the other as a statement (Christians). Then increases the division by stating "the chief thing about Christ is resurrection". Minimizing the Cross by elevating the Resurrection does exactly that.

The only part of my post that I'd remove or rewrite, is the part that implies you as being the author. :embarasse
YBIC
C4E

 

[jiggyfly]

NP, just didn't want to take credit for something I didn't write. T.Austin Sparks' material are some of the most Christ centered teaching available.

I believe that Watchman Nee claimed that TAS was one of his mentors.