[Livelystone]

Legalism is abuse of the law while on the other hand holiness is the fulfilling of the law.

Abuse of the law is often centered around certain pet laws the abuser does not break and therefore overemphasizes them while overlooking the laws they do break. These days many are bonding together in the fight against homosexuality in the church and I have no problem with condemning homosexuality in the church anymore than I have a problem with condemning liars and thieves in the church. The problem starts when the homosexual gets singled out resulting in the law becoming unbalanced and unjust.

Another devastating abuse of the law is throwing it out by persons not understanding why Jesus said those who learned the truth of the law and become able to teach it to others while fulfilling that themselves would be called great in the kingdom. On the other hand those who through ignorance or intent encourage violation of the laws of God will be called the least in the kingdom.

Therefore is quite obvious that the law has its place to guide and to shape Christians in the image of Jesus Christ, and not to be used as a whip to intimidate them and enforce the traditions and doctrines of man.

Blessings

Doug