RELIGION & LEGALISM VS REVELATION - PART 2

         RELIGION AND LEGALISM - THE COUNTERFEITS OF REVELATION  
                                                                            PART 2
(After all is said and done with this topic, and when we apply ourselves to every form of wisdom, liberty, or discipline, it is still only God's unfathomable grace and mercy that keeps us)

INDEX:
-THE GOSPEL- THE HEART OF GOD VS SELF-DENIAL
-THE OPEN DOOR, THE VALIDATION FOR CONCERN:
 KNOWING YOUR BOUNDRIES
 KNOWING YOUR LIMITS
 YOU ARE AT WAR, AND YOU HAVE AN ADVERSARY
 KNOW YOUR BIBLE
 CONSIDER THE SOURCE KEEP
 YOUR SPIRIT STRONG
 NEVER TRUST YOUR HEART
 IS IT AN UNNECESSARY OR HARMFUL DISTRACTION
- STANDARDS VS LAWS
- DICTATION VS LOVING CONSIDERATION
- WHERE DOES GOOD WORKS AND PERFORMANCE COME IN?
- PLAYING THE HOLY SPIRIT
 - CONSECRATION FOR DISCIPLESHIP AND SERVICE
-OUTSIDE REASONS FOR DRYNESS, AND KNOWING YOUR WEAKNESS
- SIGNS OF BECOMING RELIGIOUS OR LEGALISTIC
- WARNING SIGNS OF DRIFTING INTO WORLDLINESS
-THE ALABASTER BOX, an act of LOVE AND WORSHIP
-CONCLUSION


THE GOSPEL
- THE HEART OF GOD  vs  SELF-DENIAL
 "You open Your hands, and satisfy the desire of every living thing." Psalm 145:16
  "...Who gives us richly all things to enjoy."  1 Timothy 6:17
  When we observe these two verses and others that are similar, or the freedom that the Lord Jesus Himself walked in, and then consider some of the harsh treatment that we put ourselves through hoping to please God, or to restrain sensual tendencies, we should examine where we have gone wrong. One is our understanding of the heart of God.
 There are certain mentalities which teach; in order to please God we must do without as much as possible, and make our lives hard (as if there were  not enough difficulties). What is more, we can believe that all the things of this life, if they are not evil, they are at best carnal and vain. Therefore, to be a good Christian and to really prove your love for God, we must turn away from all things that are not necessary for basic survival. Doubtless there are things that we need to turn away from and avoid, but perhaps that should be qualified, but not by man's wisdom. The Scriptures do teach, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him..." Nevertheless, the Bible goes on to teach what the "Love of the world" that the Holy Spirit is referring to is, "...For all that is in the world, the lust of the eyes, and the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." 1 John 2:16-17
 Many things in this life are neither good or evil, they are just things, but how we regard or use them can transform them into something good or evil. So the issue is more related to what is in our hearts. Now this can become a sort of tightrope area. There are activities in this world that are definitely sinful, like doing drugs, drunkenness, adultery, fornication, homosexuality, and the like, which disciples of Jesus should never be partakers of. The Scriptures certainly teach against them; however, things like music, movies, video games, may be less cut and dry. There is often some content that are sinful within any of these; however, a person may be able to glean things from them for which he or she can genuinely be thankful to God for, and yet without partaking of any possible sinful aspect that may be contained therein. Let me give and example. One Christmas, when our older sons were in their early teens they requested a video game for Christmas. We as Christian parents were concerned. At the time many warnings about the games were being given out regarding how bad an influence they were. We prayed about it and I felt the Lord release us to purchase it. Well, to our amazement it turned out to be a huge blessing. The boys played for hours  sports and a couple other cute games. I will not give the actual details of how it actually helped, but their mother and I truly thanked God for the benefits He brought about through that step of faith.

THE OPEN DOOR - THE VALIDATION FOR THE CONCERN The other side of the coin regarding the warnings and the possible dangers is that when we open the door to one thing, we also open the door to another, and may even close a critical door. With regards to the video games, for instance, when they get bored with the one game they want another, but the content may be more questionable. Where does one go from there? There are times when it is "NO." But how careful we must be! How much are you willing to, or have faith to allow certain things into your home, your life?

 KNOWING YOUR BOUNDRIES
 "(Father) I pray not that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil." John 17:15

   As we cautiously venture out in faith into the world there are some things we must never lose sight of, and others things we must always do:

 KNOW YOUR LIMITS
 - We must be keenly aware and honest about our weaknesses and remember the statement 'Others may, but you cannot'. There are things in life that may not be a temptation to you, but other things you know that you should avoid. We must be weary about following the liberties of others if you are particularly susceptible to it. For and example, alcohol; if you tend to fall into alcoholism, then you should not hang around with others who are drinking. Never assume the power of God will keep you from a sin that you are willfully walking into. You cannot blame God. You know better.

YOU ARE AT WAR, AND YOU HAVE AN ADVERSARY
 - No matter what you do and where you go, you have an adversary who has come "...to steal, and to kill, and to destroy." and he will take advantage of every opportunity you give him, and mercilessly so. "...because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour..." 1 Peter 5:8 This means that you must be on your guard at all times, whereever you go and in everything you do, that includes Christian and church activities.

 KNOW YOUR BIBLE
  Daily we are inundated with lies and "doctrines of devils" that are being repeated so constantly and from so many sources that we can believe them to be true. Entertainment is one of those venues. If we are not prudent, we can be worn down as Samson was, to give in to them and compromise our consecration to the Lord.

CONSIDER THE SOURCE 
 If the Bible does not particularly condemn something, neither can we. Does that mean that we can cast off all restraints? Absolutely not! Aside from the other admonitions already stated, you must always consider the sources. "Arise, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction." Micah 2: 10
 Jesus said, "You shall know them by their fruits." Matthew 7:16 Although in this passage He is referring to false prophets, the principal works for other areas as well...in short anything you may embrace, be leery regarding its source, and where it could take you.

KEEP YOUR SPIRIT STRONG
 "But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's Love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life." Jude20-21 NIV
 Even as we nourish our physical bodies to keep them healthy and strong, so must we do the same spiritually. Prayer, Bible study, listening to the preached Word, worship, godly fellowship, and loving service are essential to a healthy Christian life. They will help you build up your resistance against seductive worldly or sensual passions, but never trust your strength - lean completely on the grace of God, and be obedient.

NEVER TRUST YOUR HEART
 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9
 We can easily proclaim integrity and wisdom of motives while in pursuit  of something. But that can be dangerous. God has given us His Word, His Holy Spirit, and loving godly counsel from those who care. Lord, help us be ever so tender and humble to receive instruction and correction. There are times when we can simply deceive ourselves because of subtle ulterior motives or hidden affections.

IS IT AN UNNECESSARY OR HARMFUL DISTRACTION?
 There is a time and place for everything, and a wise disciple knows, as the Scriptures say, "Because to every purpose there is time and judgment..." Ecclesiastes 7:6 What you may be wanting to do may be fine in itself, but is it opposing to or getting in the way of what you should be doing? Is it an untimely distraction? Who and what will it cost in the end?


STANDARDS VS LAWS 
 The difference between standards and laws are that laws are barriers as a form of righteousness or right-standing, but standards are a choice of perimeters for selected behaviour: however we can turn them into laws. Both can fall into a form of religious behaviour or legalism, but if kept with a right heart by faith in the grace of God, standards can used as a lifestyle of choice. Standards are typically derived from our knowledge or understanding, and level of faith in the grace of God, and the value we place on things. Our standards should not be imposed on others. For instance, "People range from those who believe they may eat any sort of meat to those whose faith is so weak the dare not eat anything except vegetables. Meat eaters must not despise the scrupulous/the one who abstains. On the other hand, the scrupulous must not condemn those who feel free to eat anything they choose, since God has welcomed them. It is not for you to condemn someone else's servant: whether he stands or falls it is his own master's business; he will stand, you may be sure, because the Lord has power to make him stand. If one man keeps certain days as holier than others, and another considers all days to be equally holy, each must be left free to hold his own opinion. The one who observes special days does so in honor of the Lord. The one who eats meat also does so in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; but the man who abstains does that too in honor of the Lord, and so he also gives God thanks. The life and death of each of us has its influence on others; if we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord, so that alive or dead we belong to the Lord. This explains why Christ both died and came to life, it was so that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. This is also why you should never pass judgment on a brother or treat him with contempt, as some of you had done." Romans 14:1-10 THE JERUSALEM BIBLE (read the whole chapter).   It is therefore critical that our standards are never used to judge someone else's faith nor be a gauge for our own righteousness, and that includes all the liberties we may enjoy. Thankfulness to God and a healthy fear of God is more in order. After all, it is all by His grace that we receive anything from the Lord. Whatever standards you may use in life, beware that you do not make them your righteousness. And whatever standards someone else has, be careful not to presumptuously accuse them of legalism, or being carnal. Rather watch and pray. 

DICTATION VS LOVING CONSIDERATION
 What I am referring to here is that there may be times when we are confronted by and or required to comply to seemingly strict rules which are not spelled out in the New Testament. "Do therefore this that we say to you: We have four men which have a vow on them; Then take, and purify yourself with them, and be at charges (pay their expenses), that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, that they are informed of you, are nothing, but that you yourself  walk orderly, and keep the law." Acts 21:23-24

 In this passage Paul is being instructed to carry our some practices of the LAW in order to counteract the accusations that were noised against him among the Jews. We know that Paul did not personally subject himself to the law, but in order to keep the peace he submitted to the request of James and the elders there at Jerusalem. "For though I be free from all men, yet have I  made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more... I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." 1 Corinthians 9:19-22

 You may be attending a new church fellowship, going to a Bible School, or on a mission trip, and you are requested or perhaps required to conform to some rules and regulations that the Bible does not specifically require, nor the Lord Himself is personally  requiring of you, what do you do? Determine if their motive is a process to achieve a certain goal, like a training discipline, or perhaps a way to reach the society they are in, or to advert causing an unnecessary stumbling block; or is it a man-made doctrine that they have added to their version of the Gospel? Then decide if that is the route the Lord wants you to take. If so, submit as unto the Lord for the sake of the work of the Lord and to keep the peace of the Gospel. If it is a characteristic of that particular fellowship and you feel to be a part, co-operate at whatever level you can, but maintain your stand in the Grace of Christ though you may be submitting to that ordinance. The Lord will direct you if He is so leading you. We easily fall into traditions and rules and lean on them as our righteousness. If you are a parent and taking children, it is your duty to instruct them in the true grace of God that they be not entangled with a yoke of bondage and or depend on our works and performance to be right with God. It is far easier to grow in an atmosphere of the love and grace of God instead of trying to develop a love and faith in Christ by following laws, because everyone stumbles, and discouragement and doubt hunts everyone. "Your gentleness has made me great." Psalm 18:35

WHERE DOES GOOD WORKS AND PERFORMANCE FIT IN? "For by grace are  you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship created in Christ unto  good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk therein." Ephesians 2:8-10, "Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31

 Friends, if we are walking in faith and love in Jesus, good works, acts of kindness and love will automatically follow, unless you deliberately harden your heart when a need arises. With regards to performance, as we serve Jesus out of a heart of faith and love for God, our life will be a life of worship and praise to Him in whatever we do. The moment we place the pursuit of good works and religious performance as a measure and a need for our righteousness before God, we are out of line with the message of the Gospel.

PLAYING THE HOLY SPIRIT
  Many of us have erred in this way, and more than once, and it can be a very serious matter. When a new convert steps into the Kingdom of God, often they have outward behaviours and appearances that are typically not acceptable in a "Christian or Church" realm, and maybe even Biblically so. What we tend to do is try to make them conform, break off, clean up, those offensive characteristics. This is so dangerous. We work from the outside, but Jesus works from the inside. As they grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, most all those things naturally fall off all without the burden of man's regulations and pressures, and God gets the glory! By interfering with the work of the Holy Spirit we can cause them to stumble in different ways. We are to just inspire and encourage, and instruct only as the Holy Spirit leads.

CONSECRATION FOR DISCIPLESHIP AND SERVICE
  "And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate (self-controlled) in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so I fight, not as one that beats the air. But I keep my body under, and bring it into subjection; Lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be cast away." 1 Corinthians 9:25-27

  As we take up our cross and follow Jesus, expect disciplines, struggles, demands, along with the righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Remember the Lord is preparing you for Heaven, and the world does not run parallel, neither do the tendencies or our fallen nature. We must willfully subject ourselves to the demands of the Word of God, and the disciplines of the Holy Spirit. Remember that temperance (self control) is a fruit of the Holy Spirit Galatians 5:23 There will be plenty of times where you will have to say "No" even to your God given liberties in order to follow through with what the Lord is asking of you at the time. We never want to give up His best to pursue that which is less. This is a huge subject, but for now, understand that if you want to attain the prize of Christ, your biggest obstacle is you.

 Now with regards to disciplines and demands that may be required of you if you are intending to go into the ministry, here again, expect to give up certain liberties, and to face restrictions in order that you may be completely useful in the service of Christ for others. It is no longer about you, and your will, and your desires, and even your needs. It is now about the sacrifice of love that will enable others to receive Christ. Our reward is always there for us - Jesus. When a person loses sight of the cause, the demands will seem and or become extremely burdensome.

"It is good neither to eat flesh, not to drink wine, nor anything whereby your brother stumbles, or is offended, or is made weak. If you have faith, have it to yourself before God..." Romans 14:21-22

"But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak...Therefore, if meat makes my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world stands, lest I make my brother to offend."  1 1 Corinthians 8:9...13

 OUTSIDE REASONS FOR DRYNESS, AND KNOWING YOUR WEAKNESS   "...you shall worship the LORD your GOD, and Him only shall you serve." Matthew  4:10 "This people draws nigh to Me with their mouth, and honors Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Matthew 15:8-9 

 Our obedience to Him is a true form of worship. However, when our traditions and religious exercises take precedence over what God has laid out in His Word, then we may be worshiping and serving someone, but not God, which is why Jesus said, "...but in vain do they worship Me..." Most religious activity and traditions can be carried out according to man's presumptuous regulations which will only impress man.  We ourselves, even if we are following Biblical instruction, can be performing mechanically and not touching the heart of God. You see, our flesh is like a programmable machine. It can perform all kinds of noble things, yet without heart or faith. "And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity (love) it profits me nothing." Romans 13:3 What? Do we stop because we have become dry and mechanical? No! We repent and to the first works out of faith and love. Revelation 2:4-5 God is always worthy of all our faith, love, and worship.

 

SIGNS OF BECOMING RELIGIOUS OR LEGALISTIC

 "I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him Who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different Gospel..." Galatians 1:6

  We can so easily fall into legalism or being religious since true faith in Jesus Christ is not of the flesh, but of the our spirit. In the Book of Galatians, the Apostle Paul is attempting to admonish the Christians in Galatia to not fall back into the slavery of the law and religion, which not only enslaves us, but keeps us from the salvation that comes only through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Here are some indications that we are falling in that direction:

 - Rituals, laws, and traditions have taken precedence in our pursuit of God. and thinking that these must be followed to be right with God Galatians 4:10

- Superstition has crept in where faith should be

- We become self-righteous when we are performing to our standards Isaiah Luke 18:9-14...and we despise others who do not seem to follow Jesus the way we do Isaiah 65:5

 - We become more concerned about outward appearances and our image before man John 12:42-43

 - The name of Jesus Christ, and the preaching of the Cross and the Gospel becomes less and less the predominate and central focus of our religion Galatians 6:12, 1 Thessalonians 2:16

- The concern for the salvation of the lost becomes less important than trying to keep our self untouched by the world. "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation." Mark 16:16 gives way to "Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch." Colossians 2:21

- Our religion has become powerless "For the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in Power." 1 Corinthians 4:20, There may be much church activity, services and so on, but there should be signs, following, and demonstration of the Spirit. Mark 16:17-18, Romans 15:19 (In my own life I have see very little of this in latter years, so I have to consider myself as well). We must ask ourselves, are people getting saved, healed, filled with the Holy Spirit. Are lives being dramatically transformed in Christ and the bondages of sin being broken?

THE LAWS AND COMMANDMENTS OF GOD ARE MORE APPEALING TO YOU THAN THE GRACE OF GOD (which may make you angry when you hear it preached).

If this is so, we must return to the Lord Jesus with all our heart and seek Him and not let go until He rains righteousness on us once again! 2Chronicles 7:14, Hosea 10:12, Joel 2:12-13

 

WARNING SIGNS OF DRIFTING INTO WORLDLINESS

 There is the other side of the coin to consider as well. When we want to break free from "RELIGION and LEGALISM" we can easily fall into the snare of worldliness. These are some to the indications:

- Valid spiritual activities are less interesting and harder to engage in; prayer, Bible reading, going to church, and godly fellowship. They can only be truly maintained by a life in the Spirit. When we fall into the flesh they become powerless, ritualistic, and boring.

 - Worldly things and interests dominate our mind, time, and eventually finances.

- The exposure to what the Bible calls sinful activities or behavior  troubles you almost not at all, if at all, instead of a having a broken heart, grief, let alone having an abhorrence of it as we should. Romans 12:9

 - The loving concern for eternal souls of people becomes almost non existent

 - Our confidence in our faith in Jesus may feel secure, so an aggressive pursuit of Him will seem unnecessary = "I believe in Jesus." 

"Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed, and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before Me." Ezekiel 16:49-50 

THE ALABASTER BOX an act of LOVE AND WORSHIP
 This act of the woman with the Alabaster box full of very precious ointment which she poured on Jesus' head (and was criticized by the disciples) Jesus said was to be spoken of wherever the Gospel is preached as a memorial of her. Matthew 26:7-13  One very significant lesson we can learn from her, is that whatever someone does for the Lord out of a sincere desire to bless, honor, glorify Him, no matter how excessive and unreasonable it may seem to our natural minds, may very well be joyfully accepted by Him. So we must be careful when we look with contempt at the worship and service expressions of others that they do unto and for the Lord, or we may receive the same rebuke. God looks on and knows the heart, and He also does the refining in all of us. Let us all, with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, love, serve, and glorify JESUS!

CONCLUSION - The end of the picture of a life filled with the grace of God is not how disciplined and holy we look, nor how liberated we act, but a life filled with the love and joy of Jesus in all that comes our way. This only comes by divine revelation or knowing our Lord Jesus Christ and the grace that He has purchased for us wherein is all our righteousness, and not laws and rituals.