So, as I mentioned, our church has great "Cross-centered" teaching. That means we keep the Gospel the Main Thing. That doesn't mean every Sunday is a "gospel message" with an altar call, but it does mean that every scripture passage or topic we study, in the end, comes back to the amazing work God accomplished through Jesus Christ's death on the cross.
What does that have to do with legalism? Legalism goes against the truth that salvation is by faith alone. Here's a definition I stole: Legalism is seeking to achieve forgiveness from God and acceptance by God through obedience to God. Now obviously obedience to God is a good thing, but we must never think we can gain God's approval and forgiveness through it. If I am justified by personal performance, then I get the honor and glory, instead of God. It's like saying, "I'm sorry God. What Jesus did on the cross wasn't enough; I need to add my own works to it to be saved."
This seems really obvious to those who were raised in the church, memorizing verses like Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith....not a result of works, so that no one may boast." But what God is showing me is that even though I trusted Him by faith for salvation, I still try to gain His approval through works. One week I may go to church feeling "close to God"; I can worship with enthusiasm and joy. The next week is a bad week; I dishonor my husband, yell at my kids, and fail to have a quiet time all week. I go to church feeling "far from God"; I sit in the back and have trouble singing. I just know God is disappointed with me. He can't possibly approve of me.
Wrong! What a lie! That is legalism. I can't gain God's approval through doing good. I have His approval because when Christ took my sin in His own body on the cross, He not only forgave me, but also imputed to me His Righteousness! Hallelujah! I am justified before God; the debt I never could have paid has been paid by Christ!
We must preach this Gospel to ourselves every day! When we start to feel like a guilty, disappointing failure, we aren't remembering the truth of what God has accomplished. We are trying to earn His approval through our own effort. This robs Him of the praise and glory He is due.
For a more complete teaching on cross-centered living, I highly recommend "The Main Thing" or "The Cross-centered Life", both by C. J. Mahaney; available at www.sovereigngraceministries.org.
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6 comments:
Amen!
For the record, that extremely well-written post was authored by Kendra...the one who is intimidated by my (Rob)uninspired writing. Go get 'em honey!
Thanks, Honey. I think we have our own Mutual Admiration Society going here. I wonder if anyone else is reading our blog?!
I am when I am not hopped up on pain medication! Keep it going.
A little more... how we are justified. The best is Galatians 2:15-21, " We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 16 yet we know that a person is not justified [1] by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
17 But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. 19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness [2] were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose."
Vs. 21 is a shocking statement. We so can justify ourselves.
Legalism as it's origin in self-worship (we merit praise, honor and glory if we are able to justify ourselves through my own obedience to the law.)
Hey, can i join the finer things club here?
Who wrote these last 2 posts? ...the depth of insight make the first few posts look like they were written by a 3rd grader ...ok , 4th grader.
we daily look back in order to live indeed!
brother j
Dude, this is the best blog on the www period! will you update her already?!
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