In my "perilous Times" post, I spoke of my displeasure at people throwing around the term "unteachable". I went on to define the way I will be "teachable". I am finding in this "post-modern" society, we are using words as peer pressure to try and shut people down. Today I'd like to reflect on a couple of words- Legalism and judging.
In recent years, I've often heard people, even pastors from the pulpit talk about not being "legalistic". This usually comes when, in my opinion, people are trying to justify their actions. The word legalism actually means, " strict, literal, or excessive conformity to the law or to a religious or moral code". I'm not quite sure how I feel about this based on what I know of scripture. When we read John 14:15, 21, 23 and I John 5:2,3 It basically (and literally) says, "If you love me, keep my commandments." and I John goes on to say that his commandments are not grievous. I don't see Jesus speaking in a vague or non-literal sense, so I have to surmise that Jesus meant it literally....If you love me, keep my commandments.
So, what do we do in a world that doesn't want to be "legalistic"? If you were asking me to abide by some church law which could not be substantiated in scripture, I would agree that you were being legalistic. I don't see such things as length of hair, types of clothing, in scripture, so I would say if certain things were prohibited to qualify good standing with a church, or these would define whether or not you were "saved" I would agree that those things are legalistic. I would not agree however, that living by the Word of God is being legalistic.
Matt. 7:15-20 does say that we will know them by their fruit. I find it interesting that this particular part is wedged right between the parts talking about the narrow gate, and depart from me I never knew you sections of scripture. Because so many people are conflicted about meanings of words, I went to the concordance on much of this. I wanted to know what the original words actually meant. To "know" means to recognize, become fully acquainted with. To observe, fully perceive and to know as it really is. "Fruit" is the same word used in the fruit of the Spirit which means, the visible expression of power working inwardly. Invisibly, the character of the fruit being evidence of the character of the power producing it. So, the fruit of the Spirit is the outward expression of the work of the Holy Spirit within you. The works of the flesh are outward expressions of hidden lusts. Jesus Himself says in Matt 7:18 " good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit." Two verses after this is where Jesus talks about the people that will come to Him professing all their many, wonderful works in His name, and Jesus says, I never knew you, depart from me. So, we can't look at just works, we need to see fruit.
I do think that we can recognize people by their fruit. Do I think you make a concrete, lasting decision based on one experience with a person? No, absolutely not! I know that I have sinned and would not want to be judged by that one moment of sin. But, I do think you can look at a persons life, and tell what kind of fruit they are producing. The unfortunate part about all this is that many people are doing those "wonderful works in Christs' name" and certain parts of their lives are consistently expressing works of the flesh. None of us are perfect, but I think that if people watch us, they should see a progression toward holiness. I think as Christians, we should realize how our behavior affects others' opinion of Christ.
So, if I take what the Bible says and adhere to it, am I legalistic? I believe that God's Word is truth. When it says, if you love Me, keep my commandments, I take that literally. I will not worry what the changing definitions of legalism are, I will keep to the Word of God. I will speak the Word of God as well. I will not be silenced by those trying to use the word legalistic to quiet me. I Peter 1:25 puts it nicely, "But the Word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word by which the gospel is preached unto you." Definitions and uses of words may change, but God's Word does not change.
The Word of God speaks about Christian conduct. Romans 12:1,2 says, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed, by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, acceptable and perfect, will of God."
Conformed means to be shaped outwardly. We are not to be shaped outwardly by the world. I don't think we stop to think about this very often. I believe that if you talk like the world, go to the same places as the world, and conduct your life by the same standards as the world, you are being shaped by the world.
Transformed means to change into another form. The obligation being to undergo a complete change, which, under the power of God, will find expression in character and conduct. Wow! That sounds a lot like the definition of fruit.
Renewing means the adjustment of the moral and spiritual vision and thinking to the mind of God, which is designed to have a transforming effect upon the life.
All of these words speak to a changed life. We should be able to see a "before" and "after" difference. And, these changes should not only be in conduct, but in character. I look at it this way: Conduct can be changed, for a time; but if the character is not changed, the conduct will revert to the nature of the character. Character is the attributes which make up a person. All of us had ill character before we were saved. Even if our actions were mostly"good", Jesus points out in Matt. 5 that our thoughts, motives and intents are just as guilty as our actions. Once we come to Jesus, we are no longer bound to those character traits, we are no longer bound to sin. We are free! Paul says in I Cor. 7:22 that "...likewise, also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant." That word servant means one who gives up himself to the will of another; this word used views the person in relationship to his master, not in relationship to the work. So, we give ourselves up to Christ, and our relationship with him. Isn't that what Jesus said in Matt. 16:24 "Then said Jesus unto the disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." We are to deny our flesh and follow after Christ.
Paul also says in II Cor. 6:17 "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." Again, I find this scripture to be very clear, and I don't know how it is taken by those who don't want us talking about sin lest we be legalistic. Titus is a great book about sound doctrine, and while I can't type it all out here, I strongly encourage you to read Titus. I want to just point out Titus 2:11-15 " For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and wordly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee." Again, the scripture seems clear to me that we can, and should be living a sober, righteous and godly life in this present world. It's not like we can't possibly live this way.
Honestly, I think we are living in the times of II Timothy 4:3,4 "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned to fables." I also see Isaiah 30:9,10 "That this rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits;"
II Timothy 3:16, 17 says, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." It does not say that all scripture is profitable for saying nice things, making you feel better, for use only when you want it. We have to remember that we are to be changing more and more into the image of Christ and we are to use our love for God and the Word of God as our basis for that change. I think that I John says that his commandments are not grievous because when our hearts are turned toward God, we want to do all that he wants. I read a statement in the concordance that said, "When man obeys God, he gives the only possible evidence that in his heart he believes God." I thought this was a powerful statement, and one I've had to think on in the past few days. It's true, and it leaves no room for excuses.
When I hear people talk about "judging", it is usually used in the context of "I don't like what you're saying because my actions are being called to question". We really need to take those opportunities to look at the scriptures and see what God thinks about it. What I really see going on in these situations falls under the word "reproof". This word in the concordance is defined as "to rebuke another with the truth so that the person confesses." We are told that the word of God is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and for instruction in righteousness and none of those sound like they leave room for the appetites of the flesh or our own ego. It will sting a little if you are reproved or corrected, but the immediate answer is not to claim that the other person is judging.
I don't think that Christians realize the importance of the fact that they are ambassadors of Christ. Are we giving the world a correct vision of God? How can people truly believe that the wages of sin is death if Christians live in sin, meanwhile claiming to have eternal life? Why should the world come to a place of repentance and claim Jesus as Lord when they look at Christians and see us acting the same basic way as they act? If we cannot show them that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, why should they accept the gospel?
I realize that living a life that is different than this present world is not easy. We would be laughed at in the beginning. I can guess we would be called weird, or out of touch with the times. But don't forget that we are called to be a "peculiar people". I believe we would be laughed at and mocked in the beginning. But I also believe that as time went on and our reactions, our very lives reflected Jesus, those same people that mocked us would come and say, "I want what you have." When they see us go through tough financial times leaning on Jesus, when they see us go through loss of loved ones trusting Jesus and not grieving as the world grieves, they will have to stop and consider why things are different for us. When they notice the peace of God on our lives, when they notice that we never cheat or lie, but still make a profit. When they see that we don't harbor anger and unforgiveness, when we can love the unlovely- they will want to know how we can do it. This opens the door to the gospel being preached.
I will admit to you that this world we live in makes me uneasy. I am seeing a gospel preached that I don't recognize. I am being told things by people in church that I don't see in scripture. I am seeing that it is getting harder and harder to live the way I think God calls us to live. Harder because even Christians are not living this way, and trying to persuade me that it's okay. I am having to turn down activities with Christians because I cannot go based on my convictions. I truly believe that each person must search the scriptures, not to justify their own flesh, but to really know God. When we read the Bible wanting to know God, he will not disappoint us. When we know God, we can live the way He calls us to live because we are renewing our minds based on the Bible.
I leave you with this quote from an old hymn : Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face; and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace. This is truly how I want to live my life.
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