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- Apr 25, 2006
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Rules Rule?
'IF A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD COULD COME BY RULE-KEEPING...CHRIST DIED UNNECESSARILY.' GALATIANS 2:21
Grace (the undeserved love that God gives us) doesn't give anyone permission to live as they please just saying 'God loves me so it doesn't matter' but the 'judgmentalism' that comes from insisting that others live by our standards has caused untold damage.
A well-known preacher writes, 'Legalism spreads a paralysing venom...blinds our eyes, dulls our edge and arouses pride in our heart...Love is overshadowed by a mental clipboard with a long check-list...requiring others to measure up...soon friendship is fractured by a judgmental attitude and a critical look.' Think you're not guilty? Check out your own attitude when you meet another Christian who doesn't think, act or dress the way you do.
You might break out a fake smile to disguise your real feelings but what is your head thinking? It doesn't take long before your mouth is talking! Jesus said, 'Never criticise...or it will all come back on you' (Luke 6:37 TLB). When you throw mud you don't just get your hands dirty, you lose ground! 'If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her' (John 8:7 NIV). Blowing another person's light out won't make yours shine brighter.
Paul writes: 'If a...relationship with God could come by rule-keeping...Christ died unnecessarily.' You say, 'But what if someone is getting off track or deliberately sinning?' Paul answers 'If another believer is overcome by some sin...humbly help that person back onto the right path...be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself' (Galatians 6:1 NLT). It's good that we try to live God's way but it isn't a competition. Build people up, don't knock them down and show them the grace that God has shown you.
written by Bob Gass
'IF A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD COULD COME BY RULE-KEEPING...CHRIST DIED UNNECESSARILY.' GALATIANS 2:21
Grace (the undeserved love that God gives us) doesn't give anyone permission to live as they please just saying 'God loves me so it doesn't matter' but the 'judgmentalism' that comes from insisting that others live by our standards has caused untold damage.
A well-known preacher writes, 'Legalism spreads a paralysing venom...blinds our eyes, dulls our edge and arouses pride in our heart...Love is overshadowed by a mental clipboard with a long check-list...requiring others to measure up...soon friendship is fractured by a judgmental attitude and a critical look.' Think you're not guilty? Check out your own attitude when you meet another Christian who doesn't think, act or dress the way you do.
You might break out a fake smile to disguise your real feelings but what is your head thinking? It doesn't take long before your mouth is talking! Jesus said, 'Never criticise...or it will all come back on you' (Luke 6:37 TLB). When you throw mud you don't just get your hands dirty, you lose ground! 'If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her' (John 8:7 NIV). Blowing another person's light out won't make yours shine brighter.
Paul writes: 'If a...relationship with God could come by rule-keeping...Christ died unnecessarily.' You say, 'But what if someone is getting off track or deliberately sinning?' Paul answers 'If another believer is overcome by some sin...humbly help that person back onto the right path...be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself' (Galatians 6:1 NLT). It's good that we try to live God's way but it isn't a competition. Build people up, don't knock them down and show them the grace that God has shown you.
written by Bob Gass
