 | Blogs > godlycook > WHAT IS MAN'S CHIEF END ? > REPOST ON LEGALISM |
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godlycook
9/29/2008 10:54 amLast Read: |
There seems to be a-lot of talk about legalism going on here at BigChurch lately. I'd like to try to clear the air if possible, and help give an answer that everyone can understand. I have explained what legalism is on a few other blogs; other than my own, and I also did a study on the tithe; in which I explained that tithing is legalistic. Some see legalism only as a means of working for salvation, either you must do something to get saved; or you must do something to stay saved. I once attended a church that appeared to be orthodox on the doctrine of justification, but as far as the doctrine of sanctification went; they were wrong. The pastor was correct whenever he spoke on the necessity of being justified by faith alone. But whenever he spoke on sanctification; then it would be evident he believed in keeping the law for sanctification. So, the problem of legalism can and often does; raise it's ugly head in relation to sanctification and not justification. I pointed out in my short study on the tithe that you cannot take an old covenant obligation ( such as the tithe ) and make it a new covenant principle. To do so is to mix law and grace, which is forbidden by scripture. Clearly whenever any one tells you that you must keep any part of the law; such as not eating pork, keeping of the Sabbath ( Saturday or Sunday ), tithing etc.; then that person is legalistic. Much in the same way; as the Jews who were telling the Christians at Galatia, that believing in Christ is good, but you must be circumcised and keep the law. But there is another facet to legalism which is called Asceticism and those who practice it will say they are not being legalistic when they tell you to abstain for certain things which they deem worldly. Paul covers Asceticism in the second chapter of Colossians. Read verses 16 - 23, this is what Paul says starting at verse 20: " If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the universe, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world ? Why do you submit to regulations, " Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch " ( referring to things which all perish as they are used ), according to human precepts and doctrines ? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting rigor of devotion and self-abasement and severity to the body, but they are of no value in checking the indulgence of the flesh. " Asceticism can come in many forms. It can place restrictions on owning property or the abandoning of property. Contempt for the body and foods; and is seen as a means of self- control but is nothing more; than self imposed worship. Sanctification is reduced to a matter of not smoking cigarettes; or not listing to certain kinds of music ( especially music considered to have a sensual or hypnotic beat ), not watching TV, dressing a particular way ( women can't wear pants for example ), men having their hair cut a certain way, and clean shaved. The list goes on and on. So, legalism can cover anything; that imposes regulations on us such as tithing ( turning an old covenant obligation into a new covenant principle ), to man made regulations such as not smoking cigarettes, to women not wearing pants. None of which has any value in restraining the sensual indulgences. No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 1 Cor. 2: 7 |
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9/29/2008 2:00 pm |
I keep hearing Old Covenant and New Covenant... Did God break His word to Abraham then?
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9/29/2008 6:31 pm |
Why is it you don't see some questions, Steve? I don't ignore any question anyone asks of me. I may not know the answer, but I will at least say that.
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9/30/2008 7:53 pm |
I keep hearing Old Covenant and New Covenant... Did God break His word to Abraham then? No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 1 Cor. 2: 7
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9/30/2008 7:56 pm |
Why is it you don't see some questions, Steve? I don't ignore any question anyone asks of me. I may not know the answer, but I will at least say that. No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 1 Cor. 2: 7
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9/30/2008 10:08 pm |
Both you and one other person in here use the phrase Old Covenant and New Covenant. The Old Covenant (of which there can only be one referred to) is the covenant between God and Abraham. In order to say there is a new one, the old one must be discarded. Did God break His word to Abraham, or is that covenant still in effect? If so, what is this talk of a new covenant, and the old is dead?
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10/1/2008 5:16 am |
Both you and one other person in here use the phrase Old Covenant and New Covenant. The Old Covenant (of which there can only be one referred to) is the covenant between God and Abraham. In order to say there is a new one, the old one must be discarded. Did God break His word to Abraham, or is that covenant still in effect? If so, what is this talk of a new covenant, and the old is dead? Do you read the Bible or are you reading some other book ? God Himself spoke of the " New Covenant ", He would make with His people. The writer of the Book of Hebrews quotes from the Book of Jeremiah of this " New Covenant ". So, we have God speaking of the New, long after He spoke to Abraham. What does the writer of Hebrews say about the Old Covenant ? This can be seen in several O.T. Books, may I suggest you get out your concordance and look up the word " Covenant ". No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 1 Cor. 2: 7
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10/1/2008 2:48 pm |
That NEW COVENANT in Jeremiah is for the Jews after they have atoned to God for their rebellion. It says they will be born loyal to God, and never again will they stray from that. Gentiles will walk up to a Jew and say "Let us go up to the house of the Lord to worship, for I know that God is with you." That is the new covenant between God and Israel, and it is only between God and Israel, the context makes it clear that we Gentiles are not included in that. There is only one covenant, and that is between God and the descendants of Abraham. For centuries, the church tried to take the place of the Jew in the covenant, but any right-thinking person knows that is horse hockey. As I said, there is no new covenant, FOR JESUS SAID we are only GRAFTED into the covenant of Abraham so that we may also partake.... -Danny
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10/1/2008 7:42 pm |
That NEW COVENANT in Jeremiah is for the Jews after they have atoned to God for their rebellion. It says they will be born loyal to God, and never again will they stray from that. Gentiles will walk up to a Jew and say "Let us go up to the house of the Lord to worship, for I know that God is with you." That is the new covenant between God and Israel, and it is only between God and Israel, the context makes it clear that we Gentiles are not included in that. There is only one covenant, and that is between God and the descendants of Abraham. For centuries, the church tried to take the place of the Jew in the covenant, but any right-thinking person knows that is horse hockey. As I said, there is no new covenant, FOR JESUS SAID we are only GRAFTED into the covenant of Abraham so that we may also partake.... -Danny No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 1 Cor. 2: 7
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