As we continue our Stand Mature series in this great book written not only to the Colossians but to us, we now focus on the importance of the Gospel-centered home.
I asked some questions on Sunday:
Are we settling for less in our relationships concerning:
our wives?
our husbands?
our parents?
our children?
It is for His glory that we respond to these commands because our glory wants to avoid what these texts really say and try to make them say something else.
What difference does the Gospel make in our marriages?
What difference does the Gospel make in our families?
Resources you might be interested in for your marriage:
Marriage, Whose Dream?; War of Words, both by Paul Tripp Another one you might want to check out is: When Sinners Say I Do: Discovering the Power of the Gospel of Marriage by Dave Harvey.
Resources you might be interested in for your family?
Age of Opportunity by Paul Tripp; http://www.therebelution.com/blog/
http://www.homeword.com/
Application questions:
Wife: Where are some areas in your relationship with your husband where Jesus is not Lord over your marriage? What are some steps you can take to cultivate a heart of humility?
Do you believe your husband is a gift from God? If not, why not? and If so, why? Let your husband know how much you respect him.
Husband: Where are some areas were your not loving your wife? How can you cultivate a sacrifical love for your wife? Are you forgiving? What are some ways you can guard your own purity in order to guard hers. Let your wife know how much you cherish her. How can you be encouraging to your wife?
Children: Think about what messages culture is communicating and then ask yourself if you believe those messages. Do you respect your parents? If not, why? or If so, why? Let your parents know how much you appreciate them. Think of ways you can serve right now and whom you might serve without asking for anything in return.
Parents: What are some ways that you cause your children to become discouraged or disheartened? Do your children lack motivation because of you? If so, why? What are some ways the Lord wants you to change? What are some ways you can pray for your children?
Let your children know how much you love them, and not their accomplishments.
SDG,
Pastor Mark
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
The beauty of living and dying-remembering Patricia Petras
Reflections on the homegoing of Patricia Marie Petras...October 26, 2007
I can still remember like it was yesterday getting the news that my mother-in-law's battle with acute myleod leukemia and MDS (a cancer in the blood) was almost over. The doctor called from Cleveland Clinic and in no uncertain terms said "if you want to be with her before she passes away, the time to come is now." We had heard similar words about six weeks prior, or so we thought, when Pat was getting fresh platelets every five hours through her IV port. That was a false alarm, perhaps this would be too? Cancer is that kind of emotional roller coaster.
For the next four days, I was doing laundry because Pat wanted to be assured that Bill had "some clean underwear", helping Pat with the most basic of needs, and greeting the steady stream of family and friends coming to say goodbye, while attempting to keep my kids from feeling utterly neglected in the process. The most beautiful and powerful of life's experiences are its beginning and its end. We watched Pat go from a lively and feisty body of energy to a helpless and pale woman taking her last breaths. This is still strange to me, but as gruesome as death can be, it is one of the unbelievable miracles of beauty. I sensed the peace of God as we sang and read scriptures over her as she lay unconscious. Then, when she woke up one last time at 4:45am, Mark and I were at once overjoyed and deeply grieved to tell her to "take the hand of Jesus and go home." It still brings me to tears and laughter at the same time.
Only five months prior God gave us his gift of Micah Nathan through a drug-free VBAC. I had a cesarean with Anna due to her breach position. I wanted so badly to have her naturally, and God did not allow it, but when he did with Micah, the joy was more than we could have imagined. Mark stood in awe as I worked with all my might to get Micah into this world. He coached me to trust in Jesus and to make it through the next contraction. While we waited for Mark's mom to die, with anticipation and angst, we had also waited for Micah to live here with us with anxiety and hope. And we still hope, for the resurrection, the new life, when we will be reunited with Mom Petras. She is dancing and singing and probably playing bingo in Heaven, getting to know her Savior, having forgotten this place, thank the Lord.
We miss you, Pat, but we are so grateful for what you taught us in living and in dying.
I can still remember like it was yesterday getting the news that my mother-in-law's battle with acute myleod leukemia and MDS (a cancer in the blood) was almost over. The doctor called from Cleveland Clinic and in no uncertain terms said "if you want to be with her before she passes away, the time to come is now." We had heard similar words about six weeks prior, or so we thought, when Pat was getting fresh platelets every five hours through her IV port. That was a false alarm, perhaps this would be too? Cancer is that kind of emotional roller coaster.
For the next four days, I was doing laundry because Pat wanted to be assured that Bill had "some clean underwear", helping Pat with the most basic of needs, and greeting the steady stream of family and friends coming to say goodbye, while attempting to keep my kids from feeling utterly neglected in the process. The most beautiful and powerful of life's experiences are its beginning and its end. We watched Pat go from a lively and feisty body of energy to a helpless and pale woman taking her last breaths. This is still strange to me, but as gruesome as death can be, it is one of the unbelievable miracles of beauty. I sensed the peace of God as we sang and read scriptures over her as she lay unconscious. Then, when she woke up one last time at 4:45am, Mark and I were at once overjoyed and deeply grieved to tell her to "take the hand of Jesus and go home." It still brings me to tears and laughter at the same time.
Only five months prior God gave us his gift of Micah Nathan through a drug-free VBAC. I had a cesarean with Anna due to her breach position. I wanted so badly to have her naturally, and God did not allow it, but when he did with Micah, the joy was more than we could have imagined. Mark stood in awe as I worked with all my might to get Micah into this world. He coached me to trust in Jesus and to make it through the next contraction. While we waited for Mark's mom to die, with anticipation and angst, we had also waited for Micah to live here with us with anxiety and hope. And we still hope, for the resurrection, the new life, when we will be reunited with Mom Petras. She is dancing and singing and probably playing bingo in Heaven, getting to know her Savior, having forgotten this place, thank the Lord.
We miss you, Pat, but we are so grateful for what you taught us in living and in dying.
The Gospel-Centered Church Colossians 3:15-17
Summary of the message:
Jesus is still captivated by his Bride, the church. Are you? Jesus' relationship with the church will never change. Jesus will always love his Bride.
2 points
As a Gospel-Centered church we must let Jesus make the decisions (Col. 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule your hearts...)
As a Gospel-Centered church we must let Jesus lead the worship (Col. 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...)
Bottom line is that sanctification is a group project. We only have fellowship with one another because of Jesus. We are not meant to live out are Christian life alone, we have each other because we were called into one body!
Application questions: What is the local church? Is it simply to come on Sunday mornings and that's it? Remember everytime we point the finger at the church we are pointing the finger at us because we are the CHURCH!
I referred to a great book, that if I had the money I would buy each of you a copy. Maybe some day. Stop Dating the Church: Fall in the Love with the Family of God. The book listed some good questions to think through concerning choosing a church:
1. Is this a church where God's word is faithfully taught?
2. Is this a church where sound doctrine matters?
3. Is this a church in which the Gospel is cherished and clearly proclaimed?
4. Is this a church committed to reaching non-Christians with the Gospel?
5. Is this a church whose leaders are characterized by humility and integrity?
6. Is this a church where people strive to live by God's Word?
If you want to know the other four I would encourage you to buy it. We really need to be thinking about what it means to be the church.
SDG,
Pastor Mark
Jesus is still captivated by his Bride, the church. Are you? Jesus' relationship with the church will never change. Jesus will always love his Bride.
2 points
As a Gospel-Centered church we must let Jesus make the decisions (Col. 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule your hearts...)
As a Gospel-Centered church we must let Jesus lead the worship (Col. 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...)
Bottom line is that sanctification is a group project. We only have fellowship with one another because of Jesus. We are not meant to live out are Christian life alone, we have each other because we were called into one body!
Application questions: What is the local church? Is it simply to come on Sunday mornings and that's it? Remember everytime we point the finger at the church we are pointing the finger at us because we are the CHURCH!
I referred to a great book, that if I had the money I would buy each of you a copy. Maybe some day. Stop Dating the Church: Fall in the Love with the Family of God. The book listed some good questions to think through concerning choosing a church:
1. Is this a church where God's word is faithfully taught?
2. Is this a church where sound doctrine matters?
3. Is this a church in which the Gospel is cherished and clearly proclaimed?
4. Is this a church committed to reaching non-Christians with the Gospel?
5. Is this a church whose leaders are characterized by humility and integrity?
6. Is this a church where people strive to live by God's Word?
If you want to know the other four I would encourage you to buy it. We really need to be thinking about what it means to be the church.
SDG,
Pastor Mark
Saturday, August 16, 2008
The Gospel-Centered Life Colossians 3:1-17
A Summary of the message:
Last week we focused on what Christianity was not—legalism and that we are free in Jesus. This week we will learn how freedom in Jesus is be lived out not by more rules but a transformation of our lives and character from the inside out because of the new humanity that we are in Jesus. We have been given a new identity and our new identity is in Jesus. Paul shares this with the Gentiles of Colossae and they come in the form of commands: seek and set; put to death; get rid of; do not lie; and put on. Just as it was imperative that the Colossae church understand their new life in Jesus it is also imperative that we too understand our new life in Jesus. Our new humanity.
5 points to consider
I. Since we are a new people in Jesus seek and set... There is the saying that if one is too heavenly minded they are no earthly good. I understand what they are saying when they say this that a person has their heads in the clouds and that all that matters is the life to come. But where does that leave life for the present? Paul is expressing the fact that unless we focus on the things above, focus on Jesus then and only then can we live life on earth.
The next four commands by Paul flow out of his first two seek and set. These commands are not done by pulling up our morallity bootstraps and giving it our best shot but they are accomplished through the work of his Holy Spirit. It is the spirit's gracious and loving activity in our lives that we would desire to obey such commands and put to death and get rid of such vices.
II. Since you are a new person in Jesus put to death... Put to death what? What is earthly in you: Put to death refers back to the fact that as a believer we have died with Christ and are now alive with Christ through his resurrection so we can now put to death these external vices. Romans 8:13. (sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness)
III. Since you are a new person in Jesus get rid of... Look with me in v.8 “But now you must put them all away:” Get rid of them. Get rid of what? (anger, wrath, malice, slander and obscene talk).
First: Malice. What is malice? It sounds like quite the archaic term, malice. It means to talk of someone in such a hateful way that you wish to harm them. You wish to destroy their reputation and everything they are. Keep in mind Paul is speaking to Gentile believers. This is not simply belivers talking about the unchurched, but those who are professing believers. Ouch that hurts!
Application Questions to ponder on malice:
Do we talk in this way about past churches that have hurt us that have maligned us so that we might hurt their reputations? Hurt their Gospel witness. If they have done something to hurt their Gospel witness that is their problem and between them and God not us. If someone has hurt you then you need to examine your heart before you let your mouth speak.
Do we talk with hate about some past relationship or maybe current relationships?
Second term I want to focus on is slander: If we've ever had a problem with a vice it would be this one. Believers everywhere have this vice. We disguise it though and make it look like a prayer request when we know deep down inside its not. Slander simply put is talking about someone to another person in a way that you would never talk with them to their face. The term litterally means to blaspheme or speak against someone.
Someone has offended you or rubbed you the wrong way so instead of sharing it with that person you share it with a good friend. That's slander. Slander then turns into gossip because the person who is listening then shares it with someone else and then before you know it slander has spread like gangrene eating away at the body of Christ.
Or if you do not share what was said about the person your view of that person is tainted and the slander has been accomplished. Think about this if we are guilty of slander then are we really loving God? For if we were loving God then we would not speak against our neighbor.
Paul says slander is part of our old humanity not the new humanity in Jesus so get rid of it it does not fit.
Third: is this phrase obscene talk: essentially Paul means potty mouth, vulgarity. Again if we were honest we are all guilty of it. It usually begins with sarcasm and then crosses over the line somewhere to the point of dirty talk.
Application questions to ponder on obscene talk:
How is your speech? Are you speaking in such a way that you not only shame others but you shame yourself ?
How do you speak about your children? About your spouse? Again, Paul says this kind of speech is no longer a part of the new humanity in Jesus, so get rid of it.
IV. Since you are a new person in Jesus do not lie... Look with me v.9 (Read) The term for “lie” gives the sense of putting up false appearances with one another.
V. Since you are a new person in Jesus put on...
As God's chosen ones, those who have been made holy and our endearing to the Lord are to put on, to clothe themselves with, to take on the characteristics of Jesus, we are to put on:
1. Virtues
(compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience)
First: Compassion. The root used for this word is the same word that Jesus uses when he looks upon the crowd of four thousand that are hungry. Jesus had compassion on the crowd. It is believed the crowd of four thousand were Gentiles and Jesus had compassion on them. When Paul uses compassion he is using two words that together mean deep affectionate concern over another's misfortune. One that empathizes not just sympathizes.
Points of application for Compassion:
I think of the HOPE ministry what a ministry of compassion. What an opportunity to serve the community to women who have lost their children.
Would you be considered a compassionate person? What would your spouse say? What would your children say? What would your co-workers say? Paul says with our new humanity, we have this same compassion and are to clothe ourselves because it is a perfect fit. Compassion is never a sign of weakness but a sign of strength.
Outcome of these virtues:
1. excepting people of their weaknesses
Paul says with regard to these virtues you are then able to bear with one another. This is recognizing that none of us are perfect and the body of Christ works together in all its diversity therefore we need to be accepting of each others weaknesses and strengths not for our glory but for Jesus'.
2. forgiveness: God has forgiven you.
There is a second outcome and that is forgiveness, practicing forgiveness. When the Spirit helps us to be compassionate, kind, humble, meek, and patient then forgiveness should be free flowing. God's word says we need to forgive each other because the fact of the matter is that the Lord has forgiven us.
If we cannot forgive someone we need to be searching our hearts for the reason why. A lack of forgiveness leads to a life of bondage and bitterness. A lack of forgiveness leads to a life of emptiness and hatred, a life of loneliness. Let go of your unforgiveness.
Remember God has given us a new humanity in Jesus. The Old humanity has gone the new has come. 2Cor. 5:17. The vices that Paul speaks in Col.3:5-8 no longer fit us so get rid of them for we have been made a new creation.
SDG,
Pastor Mark
Last week we focused on what Christianity was not—legalism and that we are free in Jesus. This week we will learn how freedom in Jesus is be lived out not by more rules but a transformation of our lives and character from the inside out because of the new humanity that we are in Jesus. We have been given a new identity and our new identity is in Jesus. Paul shares this with the Gentiles of Colossae and they come in the form of commands: seek and set; put to death; get rid of; do not lie; and put on. Just as it was imperative that the Colossae church understand their new life in Jesus it is also imperative that we too understand our new life in Jesus. Our new humanity.
5 points to consider
I. Since we are a new people in Jesus seek and set... There is the saying that if one is too heavenly minded they are no earthly good. I understand what they are saying when they say this that a person has their heads in the clouds and that all that matters is the life to come. But where does that leave life for the present? Paul is expressing the fact that unless we focus on the things above, focus on Jesus then and only then can we live life on earth.
The next four commands by Paul flow out of his first two seek and set. These commands are not done by pulling up our morallity bootstraps and giving it our best shot but they are accomplished through the work of his Holy Spirit. It is the spirit's gracious and loving activity in our lives that we would desire to obey such commands and put to death and get rid of such vices.
II. Since you are a new person in Jesus put to death... Put to death what? What is earthly in you: Put to death refers back to the fact that as a believer we have died with Christ and are now alive with Christ through his resurrection so we can now put to death these external vices. Romans 8:13. (sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness)
III. Since you are a new person in Jesus get rid of... Look with me in v.8 “But now you must put them all away:” Get rid of them. Get rid of what? (anger, wrath, malice, slander and obscene talk).
First: Malice. What is malice? It sounds like quite the archaic term, malice. It means to talk of someone in such a hateful way that you wish to harm them. You wish to destroy their reputation and everything they are. Keep in mind Paul is speaking to Gentile believers. This is not simply belivers talking about the unchurched, but those who are professing believers. Ouch that hurts!
Application Questions to ponder on malice:
Do we talk in this way about past churches that have hurt us that have maligned us so that we might hurt their reputations? Hurt their Gospel witness. If they have done something to hurt their Gospel witness that is their problem and between them and God not us. If someone has hurt you then you need to examine your heart before you let your mouth speak.
Do we talk with hate about some past relationship or maybe current relationships?
Second term I want to focus on is slander: If we've ever had a problem with a vice it would be this one. Believers everywhere have this vice. We disguise it though and make it look like a prayer request when we know deep down inside its not. Slander simply put is talking about someone to another person in a way that you would never talk with them to their face. The term litterally means to blaspheme or speak against someone.
Someone has offended you or rubbed you the wrong way so instead of sharing it with that person you share it with a good friend. That's slander. Slander then turns into gossip because the person who is listening then shares it with someone else and then before you know it slander has spread like gangrene eating away at the body of Christ.
Or if you do not share what was said about the person your view of that person is tainted and the slander has been accomplished. Think about this if we are guilty of slander then are we really loving God? For if we were loving God then we would not speak against our neighbor.
Paul says slander is part of our old humanity not the new humanity in Jesus so get rid of it it does not fit.
Third: is this phrase obscene talk: essentially Paul means potty mouth, vulgarity. Again if we were honest we are all guilty of it. It usually begins with sarcasm and then crosses over the line somewhere to the point of dirty talk.
Application questions to ponder on obscene talk:
How is your speech? Are you speaking in such a way that you not only shame others but you shame yourself ?
How do you speak about your children? About your spouse? Again, Paul says this kind of speech is no longer a part of the new humanity in Jesus, so get rid of it.
IV. Since you are a new person in Jesus do not lie... Look with me v.9 (Read) The term for “lie” gives the sense of putting up false appearances with one another.
V. Since you are a new person in Jesus put on...
As God's chosen ones, those who have been made holy and our endearing to the Lord are to put on, to clothe themselves with, to take on the characteristics of Jesus, we are to put on:
1. Virtues
(compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience)
First: Compassion. The root used for this word is the same word that Jesus uses when he looks upon the crowd of four thousand that are hungry. Jesus had compassion on the crowd. It is believed the crowd of four thousand were Gentiles and Jesus had compassion on them. When Paul uses compassion he is using two words that together mean deep affectionate concern over another's misfortune. One that empathizes not just sympathizes.
Points of application for Compassion:
I think of the HOPE ministry what a ministry of compassion. What an opportunity to serve the community to women who have lost their children.
Would you be considered a compassionate person? What would your spouse say? What would your children say? What would your co-workers say? Paul says with our new humanity, we have this same compassion and are to clothe ourselves because it is a perfect fit. Compassion is never a sign of weakness but a sign of strength.
Outcome of these virtues:
1. excepting people of their weaknesses
Paul says with regard to these virtues you are then able to bear with one another. This is recognizing that none of us are perfect and the body of Christ works together in all its diversity therefore we need to be accepting of each others weaknesses and strengths not for our glory but for Jesus'.
2. forgiveness: God has forgiven you.
There is a second outcome and that is forgiveness, practicing forgiveness. When the Spirit helps us to be compassionate, kind, humble, meek, and patient then forgiveness should be free flowing. God's word says we need to forgive each other because the fact of the matter is that the Lord has forgiven us.
If we cannot forgive someone we need to be searching our hearts for the reason why. A lack of forgiveness leads to a life of bondage and bitterness. A lack of forgiveness leads to a life of emptiness and hatred, a life of loneliness. Let go of your unforgiveness.
Remember God has given us a new humanity in Jesus. The Old humanity has gone the new has come. 2Cor. 5:17. The vices that Paul speaks in Col.3:5-8 no longer fit us so get rid of them for we have been made a new creation.
SDG,
Pastor Mark
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Hold Fast to Jesus and Not to Legalism Col.2:16-23
Like I promised, here is a summary of the message from this morning. My hope is to post each week some application questions so that you can think about what I shared and how to apply it-- Monday - Saturday. Ask yourself the question, How do I live a life of grace and freedom from Monday - Saturday? Before getting started, I would encourage you to read and reread the passage. Please do not take my word for what the passage says, discover for yourself. Own it and let it take root in your soul.
Summary of the message:
The main idea from this passage is on legalism or human-religion. I shared that I believe legalism is cultivated out of a prideful heart, an insecure heart, a wicked heart. Deep down inside we all want control. And this control leads to a critical spirit rather than a gracious spirit. We are all guilty of our pride and our self- righteousness. These things get in the way of God's Spirit and what he wants to do in and through us. I first and foremost am guilty.
Therefore we too need to hold fast to Jesus, which is to hold fast to his grace and to realize that our self-righteousness, our personal legalism needs to be put to death and we can only do this by submitting ourselves to God's word and His Holy Spirit. WE need to take inventory of what is in our hearts by the grace of God. May we receive his grace today as we sit under his Word and let Him do his will in our lives. For we desire at Crossroads to have a message of grace, to be a people of grace, and to see others transformed by his gracious most glorious Gospel.
Definitions of legalism: Pastor Mark's: Legalism is at the heart earning God's approval with our own efforts and then expecting others to do the same (in order to manipulate them to do our will and not Jesus' will). [I added this last phrase]
Sam Storm's definition:
Legalism is the tendency to regard as divine law things which God has neither required nor forbidden in Scripture and the corresponding inclination to look with suspicion on others for their failure or refusal to conform.
Dr. Storm's asks some penetrating questions that you might find helpful in searching your heart.
Do you place a higher value on church customs than on biblical principles?
Do you elevate to the status of moral law something the Bible does not require?
Do you tend to look down your spiritual nose at those who don’t follow God’s will for YOUR life?
Are you uncomfortable with the fact that the Bible does not explicitly address every ethical decision or answer every theological question?
Are you more comfortable with rules than with relationships?
Here are some of mine that I shared that you also might find helpful.
Do you refuse to watch T.V. Or movies? And more importantly do you expect others around you to do the same? ( I believe without a doubt that we need to be discerning of what we watch and the quantity of are viewing as well. Same goes for the internet. My wife and I like to watch movies and then talk about the philosophy, plot, and try to understand the director's purpose for making the film. Some Christians believe you should not watch movies they are a waste of time). [This would be a matter of personal conviction and should be left to encourage not demand or manipulate].
Do you prefer to home school, or have your kids attend a Christian school or public school? And depending on what you prefer are you judging others for not doing what you prefer?
Do you prefer one way of disciplining your children over another and do you expect others to do the same or look down on them for doing it different?
Do you have in your mind a preconceived notion of how one should follow Jesus. Or receive Jesus and their King and Master? The Bible says through repentance and faith. The response to God in repentance and faith can come in many ways through Jesus. I have heard of those who have screamed out to God in desperation and their lives have been changed.
Is your view of God a picture of an authoritarian Father who slaps his child's hand over and over again, and says no don't touch that!? Or is your picture what we see in Luke 15 where the father runs (which was not normal behavior) to the prodigal son to welcome him home. The father shows his compassion to the elder brother where he pleads with the elder brother to come in and celebrate. I encourage you to read it and be amazed of God's grace.
Then there is the issue of pride that fuels a legalistic mindset. Here are some phrases I shared:
" I am doing this service to the Lord and your not, therefore I am more spiritual."
or "I am willing to forgive and your not so therefore I will pray for you."
or "I believe this is what the church should be like, they do not know what they are talking about, but I do."
If you want to do some further reading on legalism, listed below are some great articles that I think you will find very helpful:
http://www.enjoyinggodministries.com/article/legalism-vs-liberty/
http://www.beginningwithmoses.org/bigger/ds_legalism.htm
At the heart of legalism is our way of earning God's approval and expecting others to do the same. This attitude of the heart will eventually lead to a critical spirit and no joy in Jesus. What will that look like to a dying world?
SDG,
Pastor Mark
Note: For those of you not familiar with blogging, you can comment on the blog by clicking on the comment button below: Ask a question, get more clarification, or whatever.
Summary of the message:
The main idea from this passage is on legalism or human-religion. I shared that I believe legalism is cultivated out of a prideful heart, an insecure heart, a wicked heart. Deep down inside we all want control. And this control leads to a critical spirit rather than a gracious spirit. We are all guilty of our pride and our self- righteousness. These things get in the way of God's Spirit and what he wants to do in and through us. I first and foremost am guilty.
Therefore we too need to hold fast to Jesus, which is to hold fast to his grace and to realize that our self-righteousness, our personal legalism needs to be put to death and we can only do this by submitting ourselves to God's word and His Holy Spirit. WE need to take inventory of what is in our hearts by the grace of God. May we receive his grace today as we sit under his Word and let Him do his will in our lives. For we desire at Crossroads to have a message of grace, to be a people of grace, and to see others transformed by his gracious most glorious Gospel.
Definitions of legalism: Pastor Mark's: Legalism is at the heart earning God's approval with our own efforts and then expecting others to do the same (in order to manipulate them to do our will and not Jesus' will). [I added this last phrase]
Sam Storm's definition:
Legalism is the tendency to regard as divine law things which God has neither required nor forbidden in Scripture and the corresponding inclination to look with suspicion on others for their failure or refusal to conform.
Dr. Storm's asks some penetrating questions that you might find helpful in searching your heart.
Do you place a higher value on church customs than on biblical principles?
Do you elevate to the status of moral law something the Bible does not require?
Do you tend to look down your spiritual nose at those who don’t follow God’s will for YOUR life?
Are you uncomfortable with the fact that the Bible does not explicitly address every ethical decision or answer every theological question?
Are you more comfortable with rules than with relationships?
Here are some of mine that I shared that you also might find helpful.
Do you refuse to watch T.V. Or movies? And more importantly do you expect others around you to do the same? ( I believe without a doubt that we need to be discerning of what we watch and the quantity of are viewing as well. Same goes for the internet. My wife and I like to watch movies and then talk about the philosophy, plot, and try to understand the director's purpose for making the film. Some Christians believe you should not watch movies they are a waste of time). [This would be a matter of personal conviction and should be left to encourage not demand or manipulate].
Do you prefer to home school, or have your kids attend a Christian school or public school? And depending on what you prefer are you judging others for not doing what you prefer?
Do you prefer one way of disciplining your children over another and do you expect others to do the same or look down on them for doing it different?
Do you have in your mind a preconceived notion of how one should follow Jesus. Or receive Jesus and their King and Master? The Bible says through repentance and faith. The response to God in repentance and faith can come in many ways through Jesus. I have heard of those who have screamed out to God in desperation and their lives have been changed.
Is your view of God a picture of an authoritarian Father who slaps his child's hand over and over again, and says no don't touch that!? Or is your picture what we see in Luke 15 where the father runs (which was not normal behavior) to the prodigal son to welcome him home. The father shows his compassion to the elder brother where he pleads with the elder brother to come in and celebrate. I encourage you to read it and be amazed of God's grace.
Then there is the issue of pride that fuels a legalistic mindset. Here are some phrases I shared:
" I am doing this service to the Lord and your not, therefore I am more spiritual."
or "I am willing to forgive and your not so therefore I will pray for you."
or "I believe this is what the church should be like, they do not know what they are talking about, but I do."
If you want to do some further reading on legalism, listed below are some great articles that I think you will find very helpful:
http://www.enjoyinggodministries.com/article/legalism-vs-liberty/
http://www.beginningwithmoses.org/bigger/ds_legalism.htm
At the heart of legalism is our way of earning God's approval and expecting others to do the same. This attitude of the heart will eventually lead to a critical spirit and no joy in Jesus. What will that look like to a dying world?
SDG,
Pastor Mark
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