Jesus was SO not legalistic!
I had an uncle who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, in WW2. He fought valiantly and singlehandedly defended his entire company from destruction in Belgium. He was awarded many, many honors including the Battle Star and other medals.
He came back from the battlefront and lived a life of honor, raising a family and contributing to his community.
He loved God and raised his children in the fear of the Lord.
His church however refused to allow him to become a member.
Why?
He smoked.
One more time.
He smoked.
The way I understand the New Testament, with profundity, Jesus asserts to the Pharisees that the Sabbath was made for man, not vice versa.
Legalism always takes the vice versa.
Legalism criticizes the way a ball player ties his shoe laces a few seconds after that ball player hits a grand slam.
Legalism passes judgment on the CPR technique of a paramedic who has just saved the life of a heart attack victim.
Legalism finds a way to disapprove of the long-awaited Messiah because his followers ate some grain on the Sabbath.
Legalism always seems to find the tiny gnat while missing the Himalaya mountains.
Philip Yancey, writing of legalism, puts it this way: ‘The solution to sin is not to impose an ever-stricter code of behaviour. It is to know God.’
Do you find yourself wrapped around the axle of a tiny code of behavior that is insignificant in the larger kingdom of God? And do you use it as a basis for being judgmental and harsh on others?
If you find yourself drawn to obsessive criticism of others in the kingdom because they do not meet your standards, seek to know God more deeply.
Although a legalistic and critical outlook is difficult to defeat, it has no part in your new nature … ever.
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