Breaking the Bondage of Legalism
I’m reading Breaking the Bondage of Legalism: When Trying Harder Isn’t Enough
“I was a legalist, spiritual performer,driven to work hard for God. I had to do right, look right, the right — only then did I believe I would be right.” –author Paul Travis
- The bondage that results from legalism — shame, guilt, pride, a critical and controlling spirit.
- The path of hope and liberation — knowing who you are in Christ, the true understanding of grace.
- The life you can now live in Him —joyful intimacy with God your father and Jesus your friend
I love this table from the book. Bottom line, “By their fruits you will know them” (Mat 7:16) (emphasis mine).
| The Way of Liberty | The Way of Legalism |
| hunger is for God’s word and listens with eagerness | critiques the sermon |
| lives a life focused on and centered around God | lives a life focused on and centered around God |
| fears God in a healthy way | fears people |
| get angry at sin, | is angry or bitter towards God, others, or self |
| attends church services as an overflow of relationship | attends church services out of tradition, and with a sense of duty |
| serves God out of love and delight | serves God and have driven this and duty |
| receives truth from God and is humbled | accumulates had knowledge and information, and becomes proud |
| rest in being accepted by God | performs in order to gain acceptance and approval |
| surrenders control | has to be in control |
| yields “the right to be right” | has to be right |
| treats others with grace | puts others under the law |
| is secure in Christ, even in the midst of trial | is filled with anxiety and complaining |
| is accepting and compassionate | a self-righteous, judgmental, and critical |
| is willing to change and grow | resist change and claims to traditions of men |
| is willing to be of no reputation | is very concerned about image and reputation |
| walks in the light and is honest about sin | hides or denies sin |
| is willing to admit when wrong | struggles with saying, ” I was wrong.” |
| is led by the Spirit of God | is driven by the flesh |
| lives by Christ’s life flowing from within | lives by rules imposed by self or others |
| is dependent upon the Holy Spirit | relies on the resources of religious tradition |
| bears fruit and glorifies God | lives of defeated life |
“The curious thing about legalism is that you might look at a legalist and a person walking in grace and at times not be able to tell them apart. They could very well be doing the same exact things. The difference lies not on the outside but on the inside, in the realm of motivation. Why is he or she doing it? A person is a legalist, therefore, not necessarily because of what they do or do not do, but because of why they do or don’t do it.
How you know this is true of you? One way is to ask yourself this: How do you react if you don’t do the things you feel you should do? Do you feel condemned? Are you driven to redouble your efforts in order to do better”next time”? Do you tend to evaluate your spirituality by how regularly you are keeping up or measuring up to certain standards? Do you feel like God loves you more when you perform certain Christian practices? Do you feel a disheartening sense of disapproval from Him when you don’t?
The apostle Paul wrote; “Therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery.” God the Father delights in our presence and deeply enjoys having fellowship with us. We are His precious children — and He wants us to come to Him out of love and desire, not out of obligation or duty. But when our lives become predominantly an exercise in trying to do good works in the desperate hope of somehow pleasing God, something is very wrong.”
Why I Don’t Go to Church Anymore!
I have a past steeped in legalism. But now I delight in my Father because I see how futile my own efforts are and how wonderfully satisfied the Father is with His Son’s Life and becasue of His son–I can rest in Him.
How about you? Do you feel like God loves you more when you perform certain Christian practices? Do you feel a disheartening sense of disapproval from Him when you don’t? Do you tend to evaluate your spirituality by how regularly you are keeping up or measuring up to certain standards?
