Continued
It would astound some of you to know that you can still preach the consecration messages God has given you and still see a congregation swept under the power of conviction, examining themselves under the gaze of flaming eyes, evaluating their consecration and making adjustments and decisions and changes, all of this without (exact clothesline definitions) and without spinning sister Patty on the stage as an example of how every woman (no matter their spiritual maturity) should look and dress. Truth is, it is far more powerful and convincing an atmosphere because it is void of the baggage of condemnation and critiquing pressure that religion adds.
Preach truth without traditionalisms, preach righteousness without religiosity. Legalism is the opponent of holiness. Legalism is a product. Holiness is a process. "
As many as are led of the Spirit, they are the sons of God." (
Romans 8:14) In the same atmospheres of Shekinah judgment, one person is being dealt with by the spirit of judgment about their common law marriage while another is being convicted of excessive jewelry. Is God dealing with the sexually impure about tithing? Probably not. All different people on all different levels and only God can deal with them all at once.
Legalism has a list. But holiness has an individual progressive agenda with a distant view towards spiritual maturity, PROCESS!!! Legalism is limited to the outward or obvious, but holiness looks deeper.
Admit it, most saints in our churches who measure up to standardized criteria's aren't spiritually mature. Most aren't fruitful, happy, faith-filled, and peaceful. Try this list on them,
"the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." (Gal.5:22-23 NIV)
Tradition is no more than an emblem of what was. A caption under a painting of yesterdays victories. Legalism is an attorneys approach . Lawyer, hum, a pharisaical term in the New Testament I believe. Religion is a rulers paradise where many are lording over God's heritage.