LEGALISM & ITS DRAWBACKS

LEGALISM & ITS DRAWBACKS; Has Your Faith Experience Been Rules Oriented?

By Pierre J. Samaan, Ph.D. www.newhorizonscounseling.com

Before going on to read this article, take a moment to meditate on the following questions; Is a strict literal adherence to rules and regulations (legalism) good or bad? Are proponents of legalism adhering to Jesus’ teachings on salvation and spiritual growth? Do you believe that legalism opposes or embraces grace? Should we do away with all rules and regulations?

I have friends who have told me that because of being hurt by the strict enforcement (rule of law vs. spirit of the law) of rules and regulations in their last church, they will never again walk through a church doorway. I’ve also heard from others who have been plagued with guilt and shame because no matter how hard they try, they can’t meet the imposed standards of their church, friends, family or employers.

The one thing these and many other stories like them have in common iscondemnation, perceived or imposed punishment and rejection. This happens everywhere, but it is most notable when seen in environments that teach love and forgiveness such as in the church.

What do you suppose can turn Jesus followers into unforgiving, judgmental task masters? What do you think turned the Old Testament Hebrew God followers into bondage keepers with strict adherence to the 613 religious laws1 found in the Torah?

1 https://www.gospeloutreach.net/613laws.html

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The answer is an attitude of Legalism which steals freedom and dignity, bringing with it an attitude of fleshly pride and the intoxicating addiction that comes from an illusion of power & control.

“There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, But its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 14:12 AMP)

Perhaps you can relate to this in some way because you grew up in a household that was too strict. Or, you were once part of a legalistic group or you may know of someone who is still licking their wounds from their past traumatic experience in an abusive (legalistic) relationship.

Does this sound like the way it is supposed to be? Or, are we experiencing the prophetic latter day falling away spoken of in the new testament (2Thessalonians 2:3)?

In 2002, the Barna Research Group asked this simple question; “Can a good person, or one who does enough good for others, earn eternal salvation? Barna found that 55 percent of Americans surveyed believed that salvation was earned.2 We could summarize from the answers that most people are legalists because the attitude of legalism translates into salvation by works; not faith, not grace, not the blood of Christ and certainly not the free gift of God.

“Even true believers can be legalistic. We are instructed, rather, to be gracious to one another: ‘Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters’ (Romans 14:1). Sadly, there are those who feel so strongly about non-essential doctrines that they will run others out of their fellowship, not even allowing the expression of another viewpoint. That, too, is legalism. Many legalistic believers today make the error of demanding unqualified adherence to their own biblical interpretations and even to their own (standard of) traditions. For example,

2 Barna, G., (2002), The State of the Church, p 77, Isaachar Resources, Ventura, CA

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there are those who feel that to be spiritual one must simply avoid tobacco, alcoholic beverages, dancing, movies, etc. The truth is that avoiding these things is no guarantee of spirituality.”3 (Emphasis added)

Legalists may speak the name of Jesus, but it is only to give them the illusion of God approved credibility to the public and to their own sincere delusions.

“For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation].” (Ephesians 2:8-9 AMP)

“So too then, at the present time there has come to be a remnant [a small believing minority] according to God’s gracious choice. But if it is by grace [God’s unmerited favor], it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace [it would not be a gift but a reward for works].” (Romans 11:5-6 AMP)

God’s grace is a free gift that is available to all, because it is a free gift!

“But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’—that is, the word [the message, the basis] of faith which we preach— because if you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God], and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes [in Christ as Savior] resulting in his justification [that is, being made

3 https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-Christian-legalism.html

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righteous—being freed of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God]; and with the mouth he acknowledges and confesses [his faith openly], resulting in and confirming [his] salvation. For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes in Him [whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] will not be disappointed [in his expectations].’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile; for the same Lord is Lord over all [of us], and [He is] abounding in riches (blessings) for all who call on Him [in faith and prayer]. For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord [in prayer] will be saved.’” (Romans 10:8-13 AMP)

So, anytime an individual, church or group adds anything to salvation from what you have just read, it will be legalism. “In other words, faith in Jesus + anything else is no longer faith in Jesus, because any human standard of performance that we must attain or maintain in order to be saved negates the reality of faith. Any standard is a law, and adherence to any law in order to attain, gain, or maintain God’s acceptance is in direct violation of grace. It is legalism!”4 (Emphasis added)

An Example of Unconditional Love

When I look back on my life, I can see that I was so fortunate to have a father and mother who raised me in freedom within healthy boundaries. They were parents who led by example, not by legalistic standards of punishment and intimidation that was experienced within so many families of that time period.

From my childhood to adult years, I always called my biological father, Papa. Looking back, I can see that Papa was a bit of a paradox. He was fearless with a gentle heart. He was a protector of both his family and everyone else. There seemed to be nothing that Papa could not handle in an understanding manner.

4 Anderson, N., et al., (2003) “Grace That Breaks The Chains” p 31, Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, OR

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Never did I hear him yell or speak a crass word to anyone. I also never saw my mother and father in conflict. Their discussions over problems were always respectful and kind during their two way discussions. It seemed as though both felt understood by the other and neither had to have the last word or needed to always be right.

Although I knew Papa always loved me, I think he was a bit perplexed about what to do with me. This was especially true when I was prone to adolescent idealism and too much fun. Yet, through all of my foolishness, Papa was always there for me.

Coming from Europe after the war, Papa and Mama had to learn how to live like Americans. And, not only that, they also had to learn how to raise two boys in a totally different culture from their Syrian and French lineages.

Bringing the family to the USA in 1950 was predicated by Papa’s desire to protect his family. This was because Papa had been placed on the USSR- Communist list of individuals to be assassinated.

One reason was because Papa and his brother owned a large Import & Export business that utilized the railroads. During the war they helped the allies in shipping heavy equipment and precious machine parts such as ball bearings. Before and after the war, their business had five offices located around the world, including London and New York City.

Another reason was that during the war, Papa was also kept busy with his night job. In his area of the world during WW-II, Papa’s night job involved being head of the underground railroad, sending downed bomber crews back to England.

I was told that bomber crews who flew southern bombing missions were given directions of where to bailout if unable to fly back to their bases. Once on the ground, the surviving bomber crewmen were led to safe

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houses (one being our home). Then, Papa, with his international contacts and ability to fluently speak seven languages, would make arrangements for all the crewmen to return to England.

I have an heirloom given to Papa at the end of the war. Inscribed inside is the grateful thanks from a French Bomber Wing for Papa’s heroism and leadership in rescuing so many of their downed bomber crews.

If their was anyone whom I have known to be most like Jesus, it would be my Papa. Like Jesus, Papa did not lead by intimidations, criticisms, or judgment. He led by example with unconditional love and service. The life of my Papa and Jesus was displayed to me through their examples of speech, conduct, love, faith in God and purity.

Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed—keep that dusted off and in use.

Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see you mature right before their eyes! Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don’t be diverted. Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation. (1Timothy 4:11-16 AMP)

The life of Jesus and my Papa was also not timid, nor legalistic. Neither Jesus nor my Papa taught that I have to follow God’s law or else. The “or else” being the threat of punishment or discipline for not following the minute by minute rules and regulations; The Law.

“This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave- tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” God’s Spirit touches our spirits and

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confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with

him!” (Romans 8:15-17 MSG) (Emphasis added)

The description of God’s Spirit touching our spirits to confirm who we are, reminds me of the descending Holy Spirit upon Jesus when baptized (Mark 1:9-13). The night I prayed to surrender my will to God and declare my belief in Jesus Christ, I experienced a realization of who I thought I was compared to who I actually am, at that moment, in the Kingdom of God! I compare it to a near death experience in which my entire life instantly flashed before my eyes. I felt like I was given a new identity that was far better than the old. As if that was not enough, the Holy Spirit also gave me a future direction, of which, until that moment, I had been severely lacking in a career plan.

Discipline or Godliness

Much of the New Testament clearly teaches us to be cautious of false teachings that “...come through hypocritical liars whose consciences have been seared.” (1Timothy 4:1-2)

The often used example of these pretenders are the biblical Pharisees and Sadducees (not all of them were hypocrites). But, in more current days, we could say that anyone who treats a brother or sister in Christ with pervasive criticisms or judgments could be seen as being very similar to the legalistic Pharisee or Sadducee.

The Pharisee and Sadducee legalists most often taught strict, often too strict, and literal adherence to the 613 laws of which, they themselves found it impossible to keep. Similarly, just as you have read earlier in this

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standards of good works — human endeavor.

“Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.” (Galatians 6:7-8 MSG)

This includes the Christian preacher who only knows how to teach and motivate by the use of fear and intimidation or the abusive husband or wife who orally berates and threatens (or physically abuses) the other; setting standards of unrealistic rules and regulations.

“So, then, if with Christ you’ve put all that pretentious and infantile religion behind you, why do you let yourselves be bullied by it? “Don’t touch this! Don’t taste that! Don’t go near this!” Do you think things that are here today and gone tomorrow are worth that kind of attention? Such things sound impressive if said in a deep enough voice. They even give the illusion of being pious and humble and ascetic. But, they’re just another way of showing off, making yourselves look important.” (Colossians 2:20-23 MSG)

Among legalists, there is a pursuit of disciplined life-style so they can measure their Godliness and compare it to others. I understand that we can see that there is discipline such as seen in physical training that has value. Yet, when the discipline of physical training is overly used, the body will begin to break down; energy is depleted, muscles tear and illnesses are born.

The bible teaches that Godliness is of more value than discipline because Godliness lasts forever (1Timothy 4:8).

Godliness is a devotion to God exhibited by daily walking with Him and pleasing Him (Genesis 5:21-24). To walk with God is to have a relationship of communicating and fellowshipping with Him on a moment by moment basis — being God-centered. To do this it helps to take time to be with Him, intently fixated onto the image He gives you of Himself (Revelation 22:3-4). This is not the time to be asking God for anything. Instead, speak to Him with words of praise, thanks and reverence while also listening back for His replies coming from within (Holy Spirit).

“One thing I have asked of the Lord, and that I will seek:

That I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life,

To gaze upon the beauty [the delightful loveliness and majestic grandeur] of the Lord

And to meditate in His temple.” (Psalms 27:4 AMP)

When we keep our attention on God, everything else seems to fall into place. Worries are far less scary and hope builds a sense of peace as it becomes easier to believe that everything is going to be okay. Marriage problems as well as other problems often seem to dissipate or become much easier to resolve. This is because most of our problems come from our own troubled hearts making it markedly difficult to problem solve.

“If we don’t stare at God, we’ll spend our time staring at lesser things. Namely, ourselves.”5

When our hearts are troubled it is usually because we have been distracted from our intimacy with God. We will then often try to fill the discomforting emptiness with substitutes of pleasure, wealth or other escapes such as seeking power and control — attitude of legalism.

5 Chan, Francis & Lisa, (2014), You And Me Forever, p. Kindle 223, Claire Love Publishing, San Francisco, CA

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Devotion is the giving of our love, loyalty and enthusiasm to God, person or cause. This can be compared to how a devoted Christian husband and wife are to be; desiring to lovingly please and meet the needs of the other, whether or not something is given in return. If we put it all together:

Godliness can be characterized by the relational attitude and behavior of unconditional love toward God, others and yourself.

Can the rules oriented Christian or ministry be pleasing to God? Can the emphasis on the letter rather than the spirit of the law be pleasing to God? Can belief in salvation by obedience to the law (works, rules or doctrines) rather than by the grace of God or by faith be pleasing to God? Can undue stress on legal details without a balanced consideration of justice or mercy be pleasing to God?

The truth is, we can’t keep God’s good, righteous and holy laws (Romans 7:12) no matter how hard we try. In trying to do so, we will make ourselves unholy, unrighteous, and sinful for not succeeding at it. This is what happens to cult members and legalists who try and fail at salvation by good works. They set themselves up for failure and denial which eventually leads to abandonment, guilt, invalidation, fear, confusion and bitterness.

God’s way of making men and women righteous by law comes only by faith in Jesus Christ.

"Seeking to achieve right standing with God by religious performance would be like expecting a mirror to wash the dirt off your face. The purpose of the mirror is not to clean you, but to reveal the dirt. In the same way, “through the Law comes the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3: 20), not the power to remove it.”6 (Emphasis added)

6 Anderson, N., et al., p 28

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Certainly, the law as seen from the mirror, helps us to recognize sin in our lives. It then becomes a choice as to whether to do something about it. How we see ourselves, often determines with whom we are going to hang around. Some have wide boundaries, while the boundaries of others may be narrow and rigid. However, upon becoming a believer in Jesus Christ, we are made all the same on the inside (made new) (John 3) and adopted into the same family, the Family of God.

Even Jesus does not Judge (legalism) us because of our differences. This is because He did not come into the world to Judge us but instead, to give us eternal life. So, why do some brothers or sisters become judgmental (legalistic — condemning) over the other who is in some way different (John 12:47-48)? Even identical twins have their differences that are known to the parent. The other children in the family will be loved the same and will always be considered a member of the family. Each child in the family will have both strengths and weaknesses. Yet, the loving parent sees them all as their wonderful and beautiful creations.

“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (Romans 8:14-17 NIV)

“Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior]. For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do [that is, overcome sin and remove its penalty, its power] being weakened by the flesh [man’s nature without the Holy Spirit], God did: He sent His own Son

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in the likeness of sinful man as an offering for sin. And He condemned sin in the flesh [subdued it and overcame it in the person of His own Son], so that the [righteous and just] requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us who do not live our lives in the ways of the flesh [guided by worldliness and our sinful nature], but [live our lives] in the ways of the Spirit [guided by His power]. For those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh [which gratify the body], but those who are livingaccording to the Spirit, [set their minds on] the things of the Spirit [His will and purpose]. Now the mind of the flesh is death [both now and forever—because it pursues sin]; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace [the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God—both now and forever]; the mind of the flesh [with its sinful pursuits] is actively hostile to God. It does not submit itself to God’s law, since it cannot, and those who are in the flesh [living a life that caters to sinful appetites and impulses] cannot please

God.” (Romans 8:1-8 AMP)

What Rings True? What Rings False?

Today, I heard Judge Brett Kavanaugh, in his Senate Judiciary Committee’s confirmation hearing for the Supreme Court, reveal that he often heard his mother say; “Use your common sense. What rings true and what rings false?”

To all people of faith and especially to believers in Jesus Christ, it is important to recognize that we are in a spiritual war (1 Peter 5:8). The enemy in this spiritual war is attacking love, freedom and individuality. With a history of many years of battling, it has become clearer to the combatants that the enemies most prolific weapon is selfishness, and that rings true!

You may ask why selfishness when there are so many more sophisticated weapons to draw from? In my opinion, selfishness is the most hideously

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efficient weapon in the enemies arsenal, because it only takes a suggestion to load its myriad of bullets; egocentrism · egotism · egomania · introversion · self-seeking · self-serving · self-obsession · self-absorption · self-regard · self-interest · self-love · lack of consideration · inconsiderateness · thoughtlessness · unthinkingness · heedlessness · regardlessness · insensitivity · insensitiveness · tactlessness · uncharitableness · unkindness · meanness · miserliness · greed · acquisitiveness · opportunism · looking after number one

Selfishness is being devoted to or caring only for oneself. It is being concerned primarily with your own interests, benefits, welfare, etc., regardless of others. Selfishness is characterized by or manifesting concern or care only for oneself.7

And, selfishness is a weapon that costs next to nothing in its production and the enemy does not even have to pull the trigger. Once a person of faith has been injured by another’s selfishness, their direction wavers and they stumble. Stumbling results in injuries that one never wants to experience again.

Selfish restraints will send your selfishness into a legalistic direction!

So, for self-protection, the wounded soldier of faith begins establishing rules and regulations — legalism — believing this will prevent future stumbling and pain. It gives an illusion of safety and protection not offered by God, but instead, built by the intellect and fantasy of the spiritually embattled soldier.

Before he or she knows it, they have turned their eyes away from God and the battle and onto one another. With each future injury, the rules and regulations — law — are added to, until legalism is birthed inside the

7 https://www.dictionary.com/browse/selfishness

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faithful. Now, the enemy steps back and watches the once Godly and devoted faithful, turn against each other with devastating results.

Satan did not come after God directly because he knew he would lose. So, the enemy turned many of God’s soldiers against themselves. Discipline turned into disorder and God’s liberty, freely given to his people was stolen from them.

The selfish attitude of legalism steals love, freedom and individuality.

Thankfully, the spiritual war is not lost, because God saw this coming. For His soldiers to regroup and take back what has been stolen away, love, freedom and individuality must be re-awakened.

The soldiers of faith needed leadership capable of rallying them back to the principles of life. They needed someone who could demonstrate God’s unconditional love, showing that selfishness can be disarmed.

Through God’s son, Jesus Christ, Messiah, He has demonstrated value and respect for our freedom and individuality. Jesus took upon Himself our foolishness and given us back God’s free gifts of love and liberty. By our being healed by the blood of Christ, we are now safe to be brother and sister soldiers battling God’s enemy.

It is not because of rules and regulations that we are renewed in our everyday battles. It is because God’s love and liberty have been freely given to us through His son Jesus Christ, Messiah.

“Trust can be restored only by revealing truth in love and then, leaving people free to conclude for themselves what they should do about it.”8

8 Jennings, T., (20012) Could It Be This Simple, p 126, Lenox Publishing, Chattanooga, TN

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Remember that it was selfishness and selfish people that hurt you, not God. It is the all powerful God who restrains His power to only use it so that you can have real freedom to make your own choices in life. If you haven’t already started training in selflessness (Dying to self is both a onetime event and a life-long process of sanctification), now is a good time (Galatians 2:20; John 3:3-7; Mark 8:34-35). You no longer have to let the heavy handed legalist steal your love, liberty and individuality. Seriously consider to not choose a condemning legalistic direction because God is not the author of condemnation. It does not ring true!

(For a free PDF of this article e-mail, [email protected])

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