Episode 24

I want you to know legalistic tendencies need to be addressed and ultimately repented of not only for how they negatively affect those around you, but mainly for what they indicate is happening in your heart…

Legalism indicates you’re walking in fear not faith… That the desire to feel morally superior is distorting your view of the cross… That pride in self is diminishing your dependency on Christ… That your flesh is making a move against God’s Spirit… Any type of subtle departures from grace indicates any number of these tragic developments are occurring in your spiritual life!

To this point I want to take just a second to compare and contrast the fundamental difference between legalism and the Gospel of grace alone.

Legalism is born in fear, not faith…
Relying on law, not grace…
Emphasizing my sacrifice, not His…
Fostering a sense of moral superiority…
Appealing to my flesh…
Making legalism contagious…
Ultimately divisive…
And in the end destructive!

And yet, the Gospel is born in faith, not fear…
Relying on grace, not law…
Emphasizing His sacrifice, not mine…
Fostering a sense of moral humility…
Consistent with His Spirit…
Making the Gospel contagious…
Ultimately unifying…
And in the end uplifting!

Friend… Please know anytime you find yourself seeking to be “more right” with God you, in actuality, couldn’t be “more wrong!” Anytime you find yourself seeking to earn God’s good pleasure it’s a clear sign you’ve lost sight of the reality you’ve already been given God’s pleasure!

Legalism a very dangerous warp in thinking because it lead you away from the source of spiritual vitality… The glorious truth that God’s grace really does change everything.