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Let's Talk About Legalism Jun 16 2012


"Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day." - Colossians 2:16

Jesus was attacked by legalism throughout His ministry. Perhaps the most outrageous example of this was when He healed a man with a withered hand. The Pharisees attacked Him because He had performed this miracle on the Sabbath. That's right, Jesus was accused of law-breaking because healing was considered work, and Jewish law forbade doing work on the Sabbath.

Understand this about the Pharisees: they were the self-appointed judges. They were constantly looking to accuse Jesus Christ because they felt He was oblivious to their concern for their man-made rules and traditions.

While rarely as outrageous as those Pharisees, this type of legalism continues today. Some people serve as self-appointed judges—or enforcers—of man-made rules for godly living. This can happen in all religions. But it's especially sad when Christian denominations and churches impose man-made rules that are imposters to real faith. The Bible states the rules fully and unequivocally. And with so many, how great it is that Jesus' life shows us how to live them out completely. How great it is that Jesus sums them all up with the Great Commandment, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and your neighbor as yourself."

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This msg has touched my heart and uplifted my spiritual life. Thank u for sharing with me all the daily devotions, my life has never been the same since i started receiving them. May God keep on blessing you all! :)

 
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"But it's especially sad when the Southern Baptist Convention imposes man-made rules that are imposters to real faith." I do
wish SBC could return to the days before 1980, when the membership was free to believe as the most democratic of any denomination.

 
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"Let those Find Fault whose Wit's so very Small...

They've need to show that they can Think at All...

Errors, like Straws, upon the surface flow...

He who would Search for Pearls, Must Dive Below..."

 
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Check your Bible- they were God-made rules, not man-made. The Pharisees were righteous people, trying to keep God's laws.

 
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“A foolish consistency is the Hobgoblin of Little Minds...

Adored by Little Statesmen and Philosophers and Divines. With Consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do.

He may as well concern himself with his Shadow on the Wall...

Speak what you think now in Hard Words, and To-morrow speak what To-morrow thinks in Hard Words again...Though it Contradict every thing you said To-day.

'Ah, so you shall be sure to be Misunderstood...'

Is it so bad, then, to be Misunderstood?

Pythagoras was Misunderstood...

Socrates, and Jesus, and Luther, and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton, and every Pure and Wise Spirit that ever took flesh.

To be Great is to be Misunderstood..."

The OT Scripts certainly did provide the Scribes and Moneychangers with much power...

Well: He Turned the Tables and they Crucified Him.

Have a Good Father's Day all and if the Kids don't call or come by?

Look at that Cross and know that Jesus Loves You/G

 
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The Pharisees let the Law become the objective. They lost the all perspective on its place and purpose. Paul was a Pharisee among Pharisees. His exposition of what the law killed and what Jesus fulfilled is the study of a lifetime.

 
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The Pharisees, believing that God needed help, added hundreds of additional 'helps' (rules) so the poor uneducated masses could correctly follow the too simple commands given by God. And since it is easier to follow rules than maintain relationship the people followed.

 
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The Scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees along with the Essenes all had their own Perspectives. They all made their own Laws and would try to destroy the Opposition.

One way or another they would Get it Done...They all stood by while Christ was Crucified. And after He was raised from the Dead? They tried to kill Him again.

Just like others out here try to do...

 
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I love the New Testament, it simplified what was then a complex set of laws, "...Love God, love your neighbor as yourself, etc." But now we have the Holy Spirit guiding us. Many times we know we are wrong in what we did but pride keeps us from owning up to it, that's the problem.

 
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Another wonderful devotion.
I visited a Baptist church recently while traveling and the pastor talked about this overall subject while discussing one's personal legacy... How will one be remembered when all is said and done? How will your story book read? He reminded us you cannot legislate people into believing, or buy them into faith but they will see Jesus through our love and service.

 

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