Pastor’s Corner: “Licensed Christian?”
Galatians 4:19, 15 (NIV) – “How is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? ….What has happened to all your joy?”
Pharisees measured spirituality by outer appearance, rules and standards. Legalism versus grace. The legalist looks at salvation as a wage earned by deeds done. Grace sees salvation as a gift based on Christ’s death. Legalism says, “I do this or I don’t do that, and therefore I am pleasing God.” Or, “If only I could do this or not do that, I would be pleasing to God.” Who would look at the cross of Christ and say, “Great work, Jesus – sorry you couldn’t finish it, but I’ll take up the slack.”? Do we think heaven needs our help in saving us? Legalism discounts God and in the process makes a mess out of us. Christianity is not a license we earn but a relationship we enjoy.
To anyone attempting to earn heaven, Paul asks, “How is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? ….What has happened to all your joy?” (Galatians 4:19, 15 NIV). Legalism is joyless because legalism is endless. There is always another class to attend, person to teach, mouth to feed. They never know when they are finished. Legalism leaches joy. Grace, however, dispenses peace. Grace offers rest. “Those who trust in themselves are foolish” (Proverbs 28:26 NCV). Do you love legalism more than you love Jesus?
Six signs you love legalism more than Jesus:
1.) You believe God loves you. But you don’t believe He LIKES you. If you painted God’s face right now, what would it look like? Is he smiling? Is he frustrated? Does He look at you with a slow, disapproving, puzzled head shake? Most Christians believe God loves them, but don’t believe He LIKES them. What’s the difference? When you like someone, you enjoy their presence. You welcome their company. Here’s what legalism knows but won’t tell you: as long as you don’t believe God likes you, you won’t draw near to Him. Legalism never allows you full access to God’s presence. At some point, the “I’m not good enough” or “God isn’t pleased with me” voices will speak to your heart, forcing you to retract. The truth is that God is pleased with you! And, unlike most of us, God isn’t fickle. When you fail at life, His disposition doesn’t change. You can blame Jesus for this. When God sees you, He sees Jesus. Colossians 3:3: “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” The cross says God’s favor is on you. God loves you & He likes you!
2.) You have never been sure about your salvation. “If you died tonight, where would you go (heaven or hell)?” It’s entirely possible to run away from hell and not run to God. Again, legalism doesn’t care where you focus as long as you don’t focus on Jesus. I’m afraid if I asked Christians where they would go tonight if they died, many might say heaven, but they wouldn’t be entirely sure. They might even tell you they’re sure, but if you asked their heart, you would receive a different answer. They think (kinda, maybe) their salvation is secure. But, in the back of their mind, they aren’t sure. In reality, they function as if salvation is only as secure as their present day’s actions.
3.) You compare your righteousness to other Christians. Legalism rarely celebrates others’ successes. It says heaven is a fixed space, and only the best get in. Life’s a competition. Second place is the first loser. With legalism, Jesus isn’t the standard. The standard is the Christian beside you. As long as your life looks better than Jim or Jill, you’re good. Except you’re not. When you make heaven a competition with other Christians, you secretly hope people fail. Legalism pits you against your brother or sister. It makes righteousness a competition and heaven the prize. And it leads to an exhausting life, one where you ride an emotional roller coaster because your worth and acceptance are tied to other people.
4.) You believe outsiders must behave before they belong. This is a core requirement of legalism. There’s a particular standard, though relative and unwritten, outsiders must conform to before being accepted. Legalism says you worked hard to get to this point. You’ve been in the church game for a long time, and until others get on your level, they’re on the outside looking in. You’re declaring some sins are worse than others, and certain behaviors are too ugly or distasteful for God. You’re also declaring yourself the standard for God’s acceptance. That’s not a weight you can bear. Eventually, it will crush you.
5.) Your private life doesn’t match your public life. Legalism loves an audience. To the world, you’re an amazing Christian. You know the words and the lingo comes second nature. But away from the crowds, you’re “slightly” less than amazing (and by “slightly” I mean you’re a different person). Legalism won’t tell you this, but it’s true: what you do when the crowd leaves is who you are. And you can only put on makeup and costumes so long before life exposes what’s underneath. If your private life doesn’t match your public life, it is likely legalism has shifted your focus from God’s holiness to others’ acceptance.
6.) You believe in joy and peace, but you’ve never experienced them. Legalism allows you to see God, but it never allows you to experience His grace, joy and peace. Legalism doesn’t care if you worship God, read the Bible or pray. But it’s not OK with those things drawing you closer to God. The church today is filled with men and women who are deeply spiritual, but incredibly distant from God. If your spiritual activities aren’t bearing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, you’re likely on the road to spiritual legalism. When you’re in God’s presence, you WILL bear the Spirit’s fruit (Galatians 5:22). Not that you will be perfect but if you’re a follower of Jesus, you should be increasing in joy and peace. Is your heart increasing in joy and peace or cynicism and unrest? Is your perspective on life optimistic? Does God appear more like a grumpy old man or a life-giving Father?
Remember: Christianity is not a license we earn but a relationship we enjoy. And this relationship is a gift of grace given to us based on Christ’s death. You can never earn it or deserve it, but you can receive it for free!
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton