Grace Verse Legalism

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by jaamez

Amen. The attitude is "God's grace isn't really enough, we'll have to restrain them by giving them a code of conduct or rule book." The rule book is the Bible, and the tutor is the Holy Ghost.

Right. And this is when preachers actually replace God in the lives of the saints. Preachers are meant to teach the people how to hear from and be led by God -- not be led all the time by those preachers!

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by mfblume

When God told Paul that His grace was sufficient for Paul, rather than see Paul delivered from the thorn in his flesh, grace referred to empowerment from God. Most usually think of unmerited favor, but that is sometimes incomplete. God continued to tell Paul that His strength is made perfect in weakness. So, grace is associated with divine empowerment. And when people miss this, they can fall prey to legalism. Legalism says you must do it in your human, will power alone. Make yourself serve God. make yourself obey rules. We need God's empowerment to live up to what He expects us to do.

When people are left with the impression that they must do this and not do that, then legalism is in the air. We need to leave people with the impression that without God's empowerment, we cannot do anything for Him.

What impression do churches leave people with?

Originally Posted by mfblume

Right. And this is when preachers actually replace God in the lives of the saints. Preachers are meant to teach the people how to hear from and be led by God -- not be led all the time by those preachers!

This is good stuff! I will get my word down again in the morning and make some Biblical comments. I love discussing these things Biblically based; using texts that are in context!

Thank you for your posts.

Blessings, Rhoni