My POSTER CHILD of the Apostasy of our Seminaries and Schools of Divinity #EndTimes
Romans 1:22
“Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,”
King James Version (KJV)
@wwj14 • 1 day ago
Throughout Scripture, the tribulation is associated with the day of the Lord, that time during which God personally intervenes in history to accomplish His plan (see Isaiah 2:12; 13:6–9; Joel 1:15; 2:1–31; 3:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:2). It is referred to as “tribulation . . . in the latter days” (Deuteronomy 4:30, ESV); the great tribulation, which refers to the more intense second half of the seven-year period (Matthew 24:21); “a time of distress” (Daniel 12:1); and “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7, NKJV). And we have this description of the tribulation that attends the day of the Lord: “That day will be a day of wrath— a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness— a day of trumpet and battle cry” (Zephaniah 1:15–16). The tribulation will be marked by various divine judgments, celestial disturbances, natural disasters, and terrible plagues (see Revelation 6—16). In His mercy, God sets a limit on the duration of the tribulation. As Jesus said, “Those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now—and never to be equaled again. If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive” (Mark 13:19–20). Daniel 9:24–27 reveals the purpose and time of the tribulation. This passage speaks of 70 weeks that have been declared against “your people.” Daniel’s people are the Jews, the nation of Israel, and Daniel 9:24 speaks of a period of time in which God’s purpose is “to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy.” God declares that “seventy sevens” will fulfill all these things. The “sevens” are groups of years, so 70 sevens is 490 years. (Some translations refer to 70 “weeks” of years.) In Daniel 9:25 and 26, the Messiah will be cut off after “seven sevens and sixty-two sevens” (69 total sevens), beginning with the decree to rebuild Jerusalem. In other words, 69 sevens (483 years) after the decree to rebuild is issued, the Messiah will die. Biblical historians confirm that 483 years passed from the time of the decree to rebuild Jerusalem to the time when Jesus was crucified. Most Christian scholars, regardless of their view of eschatology, have the above understanding of Daniel’s 70 sevens. God said that 70 weeks had been determined (490 years), but, with the death of the Messiah, we only have 69 weeks accounted for (483 years). This leaves one seven-year period to be fulfilled “to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy” (Daniel 9:24). This final seven-year period is what we call the tribulation—the time when God finishes judging Israel and brings them back to Himself. Daniel 9:27 gives a few highlights of the final week, the seven-year tribulation period: “[A ruler] will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.” Jesus refers to this passage in Matthew 24:15. The ruler who confirms the covenant and then sets up the abomination is called “the beast” in Revelation 13. According to Daniel 9:27, the beast’s covenant will be for seven years, but in the middle of this week (3 ½ years into the tribulation), the beast will break the covenant, putting a stop to the Jewish sacrifices. Revelation 13 explains that the beast will place an image of himself in the temple and require the world to worship him. Revelation 13:5 says that this will go on for 42 months, which is 3 ½ years (the second half of the tribulation). So, we see a covenant lasting to the middle of the “week” (Daniel 9:27) and the beast who made the covenant demanding worship for 42 months (Revelation 13:5). Therefore, the total length of time is 84 months or seven years. We also have a reference to the last half of the tribulation in Daniel 7:25. There, the ruler will oppress God’s people for “a time, times, and half a time” (time=1 year; times=2 years; half a time=½ year; total of 3 ½ years). This time of oppression against the Jews is also described in Revelation 13:5–7 and is part of the “great tribulation,” the last half of the seven-year tribulation when the beast, or the Antichrist, will be in power. A further reference to the timing of events in the tribulation is found in Revelation 11:2–3, which speaks of 1,260 days and 42 months (both equaling 3 ½ years, using the “prophetic year” of 360 days). Also, Daniel 12:11–12 speaks of 1,290 days and 1,335 days from the midpoint of the tribulation. The additional days in Daniel 12 may include time after the tribulation for the judgment of the nations (Matthew 25:31–46) and time for the setting up of Christ’s millennial kingdom (Revelation 20:4–6). In summary, the tribulation is the seven-year period in the end times in which humanity’s decadence and depravity will reach its fullness, with God judging accordingly. Also during that time, Israel will repent of their sin and receive Jesus as their Messiah, setting up a time of great blessing and restoration (Zephaniah 2:9–20; Isaiah 12; 35). Various Names for the Tribulation • Day of the Lord (Isa 2:12) • Day of the Vengeance of God (Isa 34:8; 63:1-6) • The Time of Job’s Troubles (Jer 30:7) • The Seventieth Week of Daniel(Dan 9:24-27) • The Time of the End (Dan 12:9) • The Great Day of His Wrath (Rev 6:17) • The Hour of His Judgment (Rev 14:7) • The End of the World (Mt 13:40,49) • The Indignation (Isa 26:20; 34:2) • The Desolation of Abomination (Dan 9:27) • The Time of Troubles as never before (Dan 12:1) The Duration of the Tribulation The 70 Weeks of Daniel’s prophecy, written in Babylon 550 BC • To who does it refer? Israel • What do the “Seventy Weeks” refer to? • When does the period of 490 years begin? • Literally the translation is “seventy sevens” • One “week” considered seven years (Lev 25:3, 4, 8-10; Gen 29:27, 28) • God says that He will intervene in Israel after a 490 years period • The Decree to reconstruct the walls of Jerusalm • Nehemiah said that the Decree came in the 20th year of Cirus or the 14th of March, 445 BC -- The clock started ticking! Duración de la tribulación2 • What are the 4 Disctinct Periods of Prophecy? • Are the prophecies of the Seventy-Sevens continuous? • Are there GAPS in the Plan of the biblical prophecy? 1) 7- (sevens) or 49 years, from 445 BC to 396 BC, they constructed the streets and walls of Jerusalem (Dan 2-6). Fulfilled exactly. 2) 62 -(sevens) or 434 years, from 396 BC. until 30 BC. (Total of 69 weeks) • The Messiah was “cut off” at the end of the period (Mt. 27, Mr 15, Lk 23, Jn 19). • The Final Week (70th Week) is divided in two equal periods 3) Beginning of the 70th Week or the first 3 ½-year period. • The Antichrist makes a Covenant or Pact with Israel 4) Middle of the 70th Week or after 3 ½ years. • The Antichrist breaks his pact with Israel and begins his persecution • At the end of the 70th Week the Messiah comes to establish the millennium • After the 69 periods of Sevens (Weeks) God made a parenthesis or gap • Eventually the last Week (70th) will be fulfilled Isa 9:6,7; Zacarías 9:9,10; Isa 61:1,2 The Chronology of the Tribulation
Reply
@vietrandy1
•
Thank you for your thorough commentary.
The MAJOR PROBLEM is Your use of perverted Bible Translations skews your substantiating doctrine. In other words, you're saying the correct things with perverted bible interpretations.
Please cease from using perverted translations ad stick to the KJV 1769 when providing commentary on my channel. Thank you. The great deception of the devil is for example you use Deuteronomy 4:30 from the ESV which states: "When you are in tribulation, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, you will return to the Lord your God and obey his voice." We see the key words Tribulation and the latter days" which match the King James Bible. But then if you read the entire scripture, they are completely different:
Here's KJV:
“When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;”
How about this comparison?
Galatians 2:16 ESV
16 yet we know that a person is not justified[a] by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
Galatians 2:16 KJV
“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”
King James Version (KJV)
I could go on for pages on this, but if you can't see the differences, I'm not going to elaborate more but will not post your comments.
@wwj14 •
@vietrandy1 so exactly how does kjv only change anything substantively in my post??? i use kjv mev mostly, but other scholars use additional interps,,,what exactly is skewed?
My Response:
wwj14: ? you do not see how words make a difference? Substantially? No your key words are okay in Deuteronomy, but I pray you can see how in the big scheme it misleads. Can you see the difference in Galatians 2:16? HINT: The Faith IN Jesus vs Faith OF Jesus?
You've read my why perverted bibles are satanic, correct? I pray you don't think I'm trying to tell you your work is not correct, it's when you quote from a perverted bible translation, if you study the reference scripture carefully, it says something else and leads others to believe all bible translations are GODS WORD and they are not.
https://www.thethirdheaventraveler.com/2023/10/which-king-bible-version-would-i.html
Your insight and commentary are rock solid. I am thankful you know what's going on. I'm only against using perverted translations even if you reference them without quoting them. Thank you for understanding.
@wwj14 •
@vietrandy1 randy bro, please, I am working on my doctorate in theology and am studying septuagint, latin vulgate, geneva and many others, incl. the redacted dead sea scroll squibs and of course MY PREFERRED KJV and KJV modern english version etc.. when there are MATERIAL differences we study them and decide why...
I ASKED you to show me which verses in my post have any MATERIAL errors or issues, and obvioulsy you cant.. IF you can I iwll delete those verses if they are not KJV or KJV mev, but so far you are just RUNNING AWAY from my simple q... I have no problem with KJV only and I can "fix" my post where necessary with change to KJV...
are there ANY KJV only seminaries left? you have to use MANY versions if you are studying the canonization process and challenges as well as linkages back to original manuscripts and contrarian scholars, the KJV< fwiw is a translation... was it an "apple" in the garden? again, I mainly use KJV modern english version but I also use Amplified Study Bible, but do YOU use the most ancient Alexandrian text-type papyri considered to be closest to the original autographs? No, you dont, neither did the KJV original authors... something to think about!
My Response:
wwj14: The reason I am allowing your comments to post is I will be using you as my Laodicean POSTER BOY Theologian who is trained in apostasy especially perverted bible translations. I know exactly from firsthand experience what goes on with you modern day theologians. My dear friend who graduated from Harvard school of divinity has horror stories and why they hate the King James Bible. I explained WHY. I will leave you material up and copy these in an upcoming BLOG. And please do NOT call me your brother.
I am copying your comment to post in my upcoming POSTER BOY of the APOSTATE SEMINARIES . If you keep posting after this I will remove you from my channel. Email me at vietrandy@gmail.com and you can read the Blog using you as the perfect example of how fallen our institutions of higher learning are and existing in great apostasy.
@wwj14 •
@vietrandy1 I will use you as an example of luddite legalism on KJV only with absolutely not a single MATERIAL substantive issue with my substantive post...your inane ghost dancing fixation on KJV only is rejected by almost every peer reviewed subject matter expert in the world on bible translations... enjoy your echo chamber...
I closed this thread and booted him off my channel. He is blind and naked and professing himself to wise is a FOOL.
This worker of iniquity is the Pharisee as in those Jesus addresses in John 8 KJB.
Read John 8:42-47 KJB.
This poor child can NOT see the TRUTH because the TRUTH is NOT in Him or Her. They are the BLIND who will be leading the BLIND into a PIT. Please read this study:
In the study links of the above Blog is a detailed study on the 501C3 Churches require the pastor
to be a licensed graduate of an accredited seminary. Since our seminaries are in total apostasy, I will leave it up to the reader of the Blog to figure out why Paul would write what he wrote in 2 Timothy 4:2-4 KJB.
2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and
3For the time will come when they will not endure
sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they
heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
Again, I urge you to study the difference between the Church of Philadelphia and Laodicea. See what Jesus tells the Laodiceans.
Especially important here is to study
Let's talk seriously about Revelation 3:7-12 KJB (thethirdheaventraveler.com)
Luddite (n.)
also luddite, 1811, the name taken by an organized band of weavers in Midlands and northern England who for about 5 years thereafter destroyed machinery, for fear it would deprive them of work. Supposedly they got it from Ned Ludd, a Leicestershire worker who in 1779 had smashed two machines in a rage, but that story first was told in 1847. Applied by 1961 to modern spurners of automation and technology. As an adjective from 1812.
Legalism in ancient China was a philosophical belief that human beings are more inclined to do wrong than right because they are motivated entirely by self-interest and require strict laws to control their impulses. It was developed by the philosopher Han Feizi (l. c. 280 - 233 BCE) of the state of Qin.
legal (adj.)
mid-15c. "of or pertaining to the law," from Old French légal "legal" (14c.) or directly from Latin legalis "pertaining to the law," from lex (genitive legis) "an enactment; a precept, regulation, principle, rule; formal proposition for a law,
Legalism: What It Is & Why It Is So Dangerous (biblestudytools.com)
Ashley Hooker
Contributing Writer
Legalism has been in our churches and lives since Satan convinced Eve there was something other than God’s way. It is a word that no one wants to use. To be labeled a legalist usually comes with a negative stigma. Legalism can tear people and churches apart. The shocking part is that most people don’t know what legalism is and how it affects our Christian walk on an almost hourly basis.
My husband is a pastor in training. As his time at school is coming to an end, our family has been prayerfully looking at churches to minister to. Through our research we have found the statement “King James Version only” pop up frequently. Now we are not people who look down upon any believer who chooses to read the KJV, but we do find this concerning. How many men and women of God have looked over these churches all because of this statement?
To better understand this topic we call legalism, we need to look at what legalism is and identify the three types of legalism that are prevalent today. Then we need to address what God’s word says about this topic and how we can combat the repercussions of legalism in our churches and lives.
What is Legalism?
For most Christians, the term legalism is not thrown around in their congregations. It is a way of thinking about their salvation, upon which they base their spiritual growth. This term is not found in the Bible, instead, we read the words of Jesus and the apostle Paul as they warn us about the trap that we call legalism.
A writer for Gotquestions.org defines legalism as “a term Christians use to describe a doctrinal position emphasizing a system of rules and regulating the achievement of salvation and spiritual growth.” Christians who sway toward this way of thinking demand a strict adherence to rules and regulations. It is a literal obedience of the Law that Jesus fulfilled.
Three Types of Legalism
There are many faces to legalism. Churches who adopt a legalistic view of doctrine will not all look or operate the same. There are three types of legalistic practices found in the churches and homes of believers.
Traditions are likely the most common inside the realm of legalism. Every church has certain traditions that would incite heresy if they were altered. Examples come in many forms, including communion that is always done on the same Sunday each month or always having a Christmas play each year. The idea behind these traditions is not to hinder, but to worship.
The problem is when a church or believer feels they cannot worship without another form of the tradition. One of the most common problems with traditions is they lose their value. It becomes a situation where “that’s the way we’ve always done it” becomes a hindrance to worship and the ability to praise God in those sacred moments.
Personal preferences or convictions are the second type. This happens when a pastor or individual enforces their personal convictions as a requirement for salvation and spiritual growth. The action of enforcing personal preferences usually comes without a clear answer from the Bible. This variety of legalism rears its head in the personal lives of believers. Examples include reading only the KJV Bible, requiring families to homeschool, not having guitar or drums in service, or forbidding the use of birth control. This list could go on and on. What believers must understand is these are personal preferences, not law. We cannot use our personal convictions to set a standard for all believers. Christ has already set the standard and laid out the way we should live out our faith.
Lastly, we find Christians promoting their personal views on the “gray” areas of life. They have a personal set of standards they believe all Christians should live up to. Writer Fritz Chery explains this as a “mechanic type faith.” In essence, we should pray at a certain time, end Sunday worship at noon, or the only way to learn the Bible is through memorization of verses. Some believers even say one should not shop at certain stores because of donations made to non-Christian foundations or the sale of alcohol.
After reviewing these three types, we can see that having a personal preference or choosing to read a certain version of the Bible is not bad. It becomes a problem when one begins to believe that their way is the only way to gain salvation. David Wilkerson sums it up nicely with this statement. “At its heart legalism is a desire to appear holy. It is trying to be justified before men and not God.”
The Biblical Argument Against Legalism
Scholars in all areas of religious study will try to justify or rebuff legalism in our churches. To get to the bottom of this subject we can look at what Jesus says in Luke 11:37-54. In this passage we find Jesus being invited to dine with the Pharisees. Jesus has been performing miracles on the Sabbath and the Pharisees seem eager to speak with him. As Jesus sits down, he does not take part in the ritual washing of hands and the Pharisees take notice.
Jesus responds “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and evil. Fools, didn’t he who made the outside make the inside too?” What is in our hearts is more important than what is on the outside. While a personal preference may be a way to show our love of Christ to others, it is not our right to demand others feel the same way.
The rebuke continues as Jesus tells the scribes “Woe also to you experts in the law! You load people with burdens that are hard to carry, and yet you yourselves don’t touch these burdens with one of your fingers/” Jesus is saying that we are not to expect others to obey our laws or preferences, if we are evading them to suit our needs. The Scripture is truth. We are unable to pick and choose what we will or will not obey.
William Barclay writes in The Daily Study Bible Gospel of Luke, “It is incredible that men should ever have thought that God could have laid down laws like that, and that working out of details like that was a religious service and that the keeping of them was a matter of life and death.”
In Isaiah 29:13 the Lord says, “These people approach me with their speeches to honor me with lip-service – yet their hearts are far from me, and human rules direct their worship of me.” Worship is a matter of the heart; not what humans think is the right way.
The Pharisees and scribes had begun to see themselves as more important that they actually were. Their actions became a show and not an expression of their heart.
What Are the Consequences of Legalism?
Just like every decision we make has consequences, so does the choice to become legalistic. Unfortunately, the negative consequences far outweigh the good. For churches, this train of thought could lead to a shrinking fellowship and even the splitting of the church. When we begin to impose our personal preferences on others, we walk a fine line. As humans, we are not going to agree on everything. Non-essential doctrines and rules can cause some to leave a church running.
What I believe to be the most tragic consequence of legalism is that churches and individuals fail to accomplish God’s purpose. There is an outward expression but no inward change. Our hearts are not turned to God and His will for our lives. Tullian Tchividjian, the grandson of Billy and Ruth Graham says “Legalism says God will love us if we change. The Gospel says God will change us because He loves us.” God will change our hearts and the hearts of others. We can’t impose our rules and expect one’s heart to turn for God.
A Balanced Conclusion
Legalism is a touchy subject. As humans, we don’t want to hear that we may be wrong. We don’t want others to question our motives or beliefs. The truth is that legalism is a part of our sinful nature. It is our minds taking charge when our hearts should be leading our walk with Christ.
To avoid legalism, there must be a balance. 1 Samuel 16:7 says “Do not look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.” James 2:18 tells us that faith without works is dead. Our works should reflect our hearts’ desire to worship Christ. Without a balance, we can create a vain way of thinking.
Mark Ballenger writes “The way to avoid legalism in Christianity is to have good deeds with good motives, to obey God’s law out of a relational love for him.” To change our way of thinking we must ask ourselves the hard questions. What are our motives? What does God say about this? Is this in line with God’s law? If we examine our hearts, we all will find legalism staring at us. No one is immune. Each day will be a chance to repent and turn from our evil ways, therefore shaping our personal walk of faith.
luddite legalism we have here a compound noun compound nouns are nouns made of two or more words, and they act as a single expression.
That single expression means: One who destroys doctrine out of self-interest. In a Nutshell I'm labeled a Pharisee and enemy of Jesus and His Church.
If we look at luddite as an adjective which it apparently can be this would even be more interesting because it would mean I cause damage or destroy to the prescribed doctrine of the church LAODICEAN CHURCH which I truly am.
Luddite (n.)
also luddite, 1811, the name taken by an organized band of weavers in Midlands and northern England who for about 5 years thereafter destroyed machinery, for fear it would deprive them of work. Supposedly they got it from Ned Ludd, a Leicestershire worker who in 1779 had smashed two machines in a rage, but that story first was told in 1847. Applied by 1961 to modern spurners of automation and technology. As an adjective from 1812.
Legalism in ancient China was a philosophical belief that human beings are more inclined to do wrong than right because they are motivated entirely by self-interest and require strict laws to control their impulses. It was developed by the philosopher Han Feizi (l. c. 280 - 233 BCE) of the state of Qin.
legal (adj.)
mid-15c. "of or pertaining to the law," from Old French légal "legal" (14c.) or directly from Latin legalis "pertaining to the law," from lex (genitive legis) "an enactment; a precept, regulation, principle, rule; formal proposition for a law,
Let's go to one of the reprobate websites full of errant doctrine and we won't be surprised to find this article on LEGALISM by the wife of some new Pastor.
What Is Legalism and Why Is it Dangerous to Your Faith?
Ashley Hooker
Contributing Writer
Legalism has been in our churches and lives since Satan convinced Eve there was something other than God’s way. It is a word that no one wants to use. To be labeled a legalist usually comes with a negative stigma. Legalism can tear people and churches apart. The shocking part is that most people don’t know what legalism is and how it affects our Christian walk on an almost hourly basis.
My husband is a pastor in training. As his time at school is coming to an end, our family has been prayerfully looking at churches to minister to. Through our research we have found the statement “King James Version only” pop up frequently. Now we are not people who look down upon any believer who chooses to read the KJV, but we do find this concerning. How many men and women of God have looked over these churches all because of this statement?
To better understand this topic we call legalism, we need to look at what legalism is and identify the three types of legalism that are prevalent today. Then we need to address what God’s word says about this topic and how we can combat the repercussions of legalism in our churches and lives.
What is Legalism?
For most Christians, the term legalism is not thrown around in their congregations. It is a way of thinking about their salvation, upon which they base their spiritual growth. This term is not found in the Bible, instead, we read the words of Jesus and the apostle Paul as they warn us about the trap that we call legalism.
A writer for Gotquestions.org defines legalism as “a term Christians use to describe a doctrinal position emphasizing a system of rules and regulating the achievement of salvation and spiritual growth.” Christians who sway toward this way of thinking demand a strict adherence to rules and regulations. It is a literal obedience of the Law that Jesus fulfilled.
Three Types of Legalism
There are many faces to legalism. Churches who adopt a legalistic view of doctrine will not all look or operate the same. There are three types of legalistic practices found in the churches and homes of believers.
Traditions are likely the most common inside the realm of legalism. Every church has certain traditions that would incite heresy if they were altered. Examples come in many forms, including communion that is always done on the same Sunday each month or always having a Christmas play each year. The idea behind these traditions is not to hinder, but to worship.
The problem is when a church or believer feels they cannot worship without another form of the tradition. One of the most common problems with traditions is they lose their value. It becomes a situation where “that’s the way we’ve always done it” becomes a hindrance to worship and the ability to praise God in those sacred moments.
Personal preferences or convictions are the second type. This happens when a pastor or individual enforces their personal convictions as a requirement for salvation and spiritual growth. The action of enforcing personal preferences usually comes without a clear answer from the Bible. This variety of legalism rears its head in the personal lives of believers. Examples include reading only the KJV Bible, requiring families to homeschool, not having guitar or drums in service, or forbidding the use of birth control. This list could go on and on. What believers must understand is these are personal preferences, not law. We cannot use our personal convictions to set a standard for all believers. Christ has already set the standard and laid out the way we should live out our faith.
Lastly, we find Christians promoting their personal views on the “gray” areas of life. They have a personal set of standards they believe all Christians should live up to. Writer Fritz Chery explains this as a “mechanic type faith.” In essence, we should pray at a certain time, end Sunday worship at noon, or the only way to learn the Bible is through memorization of verses. Some believers even say one should not shop at certain stores because of donations made to non-Christian foundations or the sale of alcohol.
After reviewing these three types, we can see that having a personal preference or choosing to read a certain version of the Bible is not bad. It becomes a problem when one begins to believe that their way is the only way to gain salvation. David Wilkerson sums it up nicely with this statement. “At its heart legalism is a desire to appear holy. It is trying to be justified before men and not God.”
The Biblical Argument Against Legalism
Scholars in all areas of religious study will try to justify or rebuff legalism in our churches. To get to the bottom of this subject we can look at what Jesus says in Luke 11:37-54. In this passage we find Jesus being invited to dine with the Pharisees. Jesus has been performing miracles on the Sabbath and the Pharisees seem eager to speak with him. As Jesus sits down, he does not take part in the ritual washing of hands and the Pharisees take notice.
Jesus responds “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and evil. Fools, didn’t he who made the outside make the inside too?” What is in our hearts is more important than what is on the outside. While a personal preference may be a way to show our love of Christ to others, it is not our right to demand others feel the same way.
The rebuke continues as Jesus tells the scribes “Woe also to you experts in the law! You load people with burdens that are hard to carry, and yet you yourselves don’t touch these burdens with one of your fingers/” Jesus is saying that we are not to expect others to obey our laws or preferences, if we are evading them to suit our needs. The Scripture is truth. We are unable to pick and choose what we will or will not obey.
William Barclay writes in The Daily Study Bible Gospel of Luke, “It is incredible that men should ever have thought that God could have laid down laws like that, and that working out of details like that was a religious service and that the keeping of them was a matter of life and death.”
In Isaiah 29:13 the Lord says, “These people approach me with their speeches to honor me with lip-service – yet their hearts are far from me, and human rules direct their worship of me.” Worship is a matter of the heart; not what humans think is the right way.
The Pharisees and scribes had begun to see themselves as more important that they actually were. Their actions became a show and not an expression of their heart.
What Are the Consequences of Legalism?
Just like every decision we make has consequences, so does the choice to become legalistic. Unfortunately, the negative consequences far outweigh the good. For churches, this train of thought could lead to a shrinking fellowship and even the splitting of the church. When we begin to impose our personal preferences on others, we walk a fine line. As humans, we are not going to agree on everything. Non-essential doctrines and rules can cause some to leave a church running.
What I believe to be the most tragic consequence of legalism is that churches and individuals fail to accomplish God’s purpose. There is an outward expression but no inward change. Our hearts are not turned to God and His will for our lives. Tullian Tchividjian, the grandson of Billy and Ruth Graham says “Legalism says God will love us if we change. The Gospel says God will change us because He loves us.” God will change our hearts and the hearts of others. We can’t impose our rules and expect one’s heart to turn for God.
A Balanced Conclusion
Legalism is a touchy subject. As humans, we don’t want to hear that we may be wrong. We don’t want others to question our motives or beliefs. The truth is that legalism is a part of our sinful nature. It is our minds taking charge when our hearts should be leading our walk with Christ.
To avoid legalism, there must be a balance. 1 Samuel 16:7 says “Do not look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.” James 2:18 tells us that faith without works is dead. Our works should reflect our hearts’ desire to worship Christ. Without a balance, we can create a vain way of thinking.
Mark Ballenger writes “The way to avoid legalism in Christianity is to have good deeds with good motives, to obey God’s law out of a relational love for him.” To change our way of thinking we must ask ourselves the hard questions. What are our motives? What does God say about this? Is this in line with God’s law? If we examine our hearts, we all will find legalism staring at us. No one is immune. Each day will be a chance to repent and turn from our evil ways, therefore shaping our personal walk of faith.
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