True wisdom manifests itself in the observance of the law.--John Calvin

Now for those of you who are screaming legalism, please bear with me. There are many who focus so much on the grace of God that they try to bury the law; those who do this fail to see God within the law. The law was given to point out sin and to show us that we could never be good enough for a holy and just God. It showed us our need for a savior. The law did more than that though. The law is also a revelation of who God is. Take the 10 Commandments as an example. In every commandment we see our inadequacy and we see the character of God. We see that we are sinful and cannot keep the law; this shows us the holy nature of God. Let us just name a few examples. The law points out our idolatry, dishonesty, adulterous nature, and murderous hearts. By contrast, knowing that the law is what is required of a holy God, the law shows us who God is; He is the One True God, He is honest, He is faithful, and He is life! Oh, May God be glorified!!

We cannot keep the law, we cannot present ourselves holy before a holy God. Oh, but the power of Jesus can! God sent His son to die in the place of sinners. Oh, May God be glorified!!

Many hold so tightly to that grace that they dismiss the law. After all, Jesus fulfilled the law. This is true but simply because it was fulfilled does not mean it was done away with completely. It was made full and complete, not discarded. The moral law remains in effect and we are to live in obedience to it.

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. John 14:15

If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. John 15:10

But what of those who cry legalism anytime the law is mentioned?

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Romans 6:1-2

Many simply use the cry against legalism as a way to avoid biblical obedience. I have seen several who use freedom in Christ as a way to avoid the truth of the scripture. Many are simply immature in their Christian faith and do not comprehend how the two work together.

So what is legalism? I submit to you that legalism is not the living out the law of God by the power of the Spirit. We are commanded to do so. Legalism is when the law of God becomes our means of salvation and our means of merit. Salvation and merit is the job of grace in Christ Jesus. Yet, we need not remove the law for grace to abound. They work together.

The next time you see someone who lives according to the law of God, maybe even more so than yourself, I would submit an evaluation is in order. Before exclaiming legalism or pharisee and dismissing them; perhaps one should consider that individual's heart or more importantly their own heart. The resistance toward another may in reality not be the other individual's problem of legalism but one's own sin of resisting the conviction of the Spirit upon their own life.

May we all exclaim, "Oh, May God be glorified!!"

Labels: Christianity, Conservative, Quotes