Grace Verse Legalism

[cliff d]

Grace is progressive as it always leads to faith and faith leads to the producing of good works. Too many have it backwards and emphasize good works as a way to faith instead of faith as a means to good works.
According to Ephesians 2:8,we are saved by grace(what God does)through faith(what we do).When the emphasis is put on rules as a means to faith,faith cannot develop. Faith demands freedom to trust God independently of unnecessary law.
When religion is unduly structured,faith is aborted as people automatically lean on the structure as a substitute for leaning on God.
Neo-Phariseeism erects unnecessary laws and is regressive to the development of faith.

Nonessential regimentation always leads to the frustration of grace,which in turn leads to the killing of faith which in turn leads to spiritual shallowness.
INSTEAD OF LEADING TO MORE FAITH, NEO-PHARISEEISM LEADS TO NO FAITH.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by cliff d

Grace is progressive as it always leads to faith and faith leads to the producing of good works. Too many have it backwards and emphasize good works as a way to faith instead of faith as a means to good works.
According to Ephesians 2:8,we are saved by grace(what God does)through faith(what we do).When the emphasis is put on rules as a means to faith,faith cannot develop. Faith demands freedom to trust God independently of unnecessary law.
When religion is unduly structured,faith is aborted as people automatically lean on the structure as a substitute for leaning on God.
Neo-Phariseeism erects unnecessary laws and is regressive to the development of faith.

Nonessential regimentation always leads to the frustration of grace,which in turn leads to the killing of faith which in turn leads to spiritual shallowness.
INSTEAD OF LEADING TO MORE FAITH, NEO-PHARISEEISM LEADS TO NO FAITH.

This is shown scripture after scripture isn't it. Even when Moses was on the mountain as God was giving him the ten commandments the people needed a God they could see and rituals they could perform to make them feel religious.

The reason for many of the unrealistic dress standards put upon us are about "Give them and inch and they'll take a mile. It isn't a sin but you know it could lead to one". The Bible teaches moderation in all things. When you constantly rail at people about how to dress, where to go, what not to do...you set them up for failure and hopelessness.

The more you love God, the more faith you acquire, the more fruits of the Spirit you cultivate in your life the more moderate you will be.

Blessings, Rhoni

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

This is shown scripture after scripture isn't it. Even when Moses was on the mountain as God was giving him the ten commandments the people needed a God they could see and rituals they could perform to make them feel religious.

The reason for many of the unrealistic dress standards put upon us are about "Give them and inch and they'll take a mile. It isn't a sin but you know it could lead to one". The Bible teaches moderation in all things. When you constantly rail at people about how to dress, where to go, what not to do...you set them up for failure and hopelessness.

The more you love God, the more faith you acquire, the more fruits of the Spirit you cultivate in your life the more moderate you will be.

Blessings, Rhoni

Rhoni,

You get what you preach/teach.
Preach faith for a healing-you will get the faith that produces a healing!
Preach against sin & you will get conviction.

People are sheep & sheep are dumb (with apologies to sheep) & need teaching.

Otherwise Pastors are not needed & irrelevant.

We had one new convert going around wearing "see through" blouses!
The Pastors wife went & spoke to her & it cleared the matter up.
She was sincere, but sincerely wrong.

I guess that is legalism.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Ron

Rhoni,

You get what you preach/teach.
Preach faith for a healing-you will get the faith that produces a healing!
Preach against sin & you will get conviction.

People are sheep & sheep are dumb (with apologies to sheep) & need teaching.

Otherwise Pastors are not needed & irrelevant.

We had one new convert going around wearing "see through" blouses!
The Pastors wife went & spoke to her & it cleared the matter up.
She was sincere, but sincerely wrong.

I guess that is legalism.

Ron, Last time I checked...Pastors were people/sheep and they are also 'dumb' as you call it. Jesus is the Sheperd and not the Pastor. The pastor's job is to feed the sheep not kill them.

You have to let new converts observe and learn you should allow the spirit of God to convict. God does not need a saints help to address modesty with new converts...unless they ask. If you address it before God does then they are not going to own the conviction they will be assimilating into Apostolic culture...and it won't last.

Blessings, Rhoni

[meBNme]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

Ron, Last time I checked...Pastors were people/sheep and they are also 'dumb' as you call it. Jesus is the Sheperd and not the Pastor. The pastor's job is to feed the sheep not kill them.

You have to let new converts observe and learn you should allow the spirit of God to convict. God does not need a saints help to address modesty with new converts...unless they ask. If you address it before God does then they are not going to own the conviction they will be assimilating into Apostolic culture...and it won't last.

Blessings, Rhoni

This is one I certainly agree with.
I also strongly believe that the Bible requires a standard in our lives, and it is sin not to follow it.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by meBNme

This is one I certainly agree with.
I also strongly believe that the Bible requires a standard in our lives, and it is sin not to follow it.

The standard the Bible talks about is an inward standard of holiness "The nature and Character of Christ". When you are nurturing the holiness of God on the inside, modesty of dress will follow. It is the beyond modesty to the point of manmade opinions that are the problem.

Blessings, Rhoni

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by mfblume

My whole point was change is needed. But the way we see it happen is what counts as either legalism or grace.



I think that is a given.

Originally Posted by Rhoni

The standard the Bible talks about is an inward standard of holiness "The nature and Character of Christ". When you are nurturing the holiness of God on the inside, modesty of dress will follow. It is the beyond modesty to the point of manmade opinions that are the problem.

Blessings, Rhoni

It always come downs to manmade rules is the problem. It has been since the beginning of time. I think there is an inner nature of man that man wants to believe they can make themself righteous by dress, ceremonies, and works. God's grace is so simple that people stumble over it.

Blessings, Rhoni