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LEGALISM VS OBEDIENCE

What kind of Christian are you? Are you an obedient one who is following the Lord Jesus and trying to live a life that is pleasing to your Lord? Or are you one that approves of gross sin and claims that people who try to walk with God are legalists?

I've heard that term (LEGALISM) used several times from people who love to justify their sin or the sins of others. Every time I have heard someone use the term 'legalism' it has been from a liberal doctrine rejecting person who wished to justify sin and evil. For example, a single person is dating a married woman. According to the Bible that is wrong, it is sin, and it is adultery. However, there are those who think that type of sin is acceptable. Their 'Christian' response is to claim legalism to those who think such behaviour is wrong. I have heard others who are into the laughing deception where they bark like dogs and laugh out of control while claiming it is the Holy Spirit, make the same claim of 'legalism' against those who feel what they are doing is demonic. What is really boils down to is that obedience is legalism to these people. Sound doctrine and holding fast and separating oneself from sin is legalism. These people think that it is acceptable for a single person to date a married person. After all, each to his own (they say)! The people who are at fault are the legalists who think such behaviour is wrong! This is the thinking from those given to apostasy in these last days before the return of the Lord Jesus.

WHAT IS LEGALISM

What is legalism? I would say legalism is something that the unsaved but religious person does. One example is the poor Roman Catholic goes through all kinds of legalistic rituals in a lost attempt to merit favor with God. A legalist would also be the cultist who must follow all kinds of rules from their cult leader lest they be cast into hell. When Jesus rebuked the Pharisees of His day He was not talking to saved people. These people were legalists who tried to merit salvation on their own terms by keeping a bunch of useless rules.

How is the term legalism used today? Well as previously mentioned, it is used by those given over to apostasy to justify sin and evil. Personally, I have never heard the term 'legalism' used correctly in these last days. Whenever I hear the term, legalism, it comes from a doctrine rejecting, sin justifying person who has a heart far from God.... and doesn't care.

ONE OF THE SIGNS AT THE END OF THE AGE

This is one of the signs of the end of the age. People have rejected sound Biblical doctrine and teaching. Instead, apostasy is the norm as anything goes. It is really a similar attitude of the lost unsaved sinners where the philosophy is: if it feels good, do it! The lost have that attitude and so do those given over to apostasy and those who reject sound Biblical doctrine.

2 Tim 4
3 For 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;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

In the days before the second coming of the Lord Jesus many have fallen away from sound Biblical doctrine. In fact they want no part of it! I've seen many blindly follow word-of-faith heresy teachers and attack anyone who challenges their heresies. The common words used are: legalists, narrow-minded, judgmental, unloving, and Pharisee. Others try to justify sin like adultery, fornication, the occult etc. After all, the world approves of such sin, so why can't the 'professing Christian' do the same thing?

Those who think such evil is acceptable are really showing their true colors. They are showing to everyone the following about their spiritual condition:

Point 1) They do not love God. If a person truly loves God, then he will love sound Biblical doctrine. Show me a person who loves God and that person will also have a teachable heart that loves sound doctrine. Show me a person who loves sin and apostasy and that person does not love God.

John 8
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

John 14
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Point 2) They do not care! People I have seen over the years simply do not care. They have accepted apostasy and do not care! These people are unteachable as they love and justify sin, apostasy, and the things of the devil. As they grow farther from God, their hearts become very cold!

Matt 24
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

Point 3) They want God and faith on their own terms where their sin and heresy is acceptable with no accountability

Titus 1
16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Point 4) Ultimately, I believe these people are nothing but professing Christians. What I'm saying is they are not really saved but they only profess to be Christians. They speak with their mouths how they are a Christian but their works and unteachable heart show they are not.

Matt 7
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

In these last days many profess to know God and to be Christians. But are they really saved? I would say no they are not. Just look at the fruit! Are these people growing closer to God? No. Are they living a life trying to please God and separate themselves from sin and evil? No. Do they have a teachable heart that responds to sound Biblical doctrine? No. In fact, it is the opposite as they justify evil while rejecting the things of God.

The following verse sums it all up!

Matt 7
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

So, in these last days before the return of the Lord Jesus, I would encourage all those who love the Lord to stand fast. Hold fast against the apostasy of these last days that so many accept. Hold fast to sound Biblical doctrine and keep your love strong to the Word of God! Be faithful and true the Lord Jesus Christ. Remember that soon we will all stand before God. The ultimate goal for a Christian should be to hear these words from God:

Matthew 25
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Don't fall into apostasy and accept and justify all kinds of evil and sin. We are living in days when the wheat is being separated from the tares. Several years ago it was hard to see who the tares are as they looked very similar. However, as we near the return of the Lord Jesus the tares are separating and going after evil, heresy, fornication, adulteries, the occult (Harry Potter etc), ecumenicism, and rock and roll. To make things simple, the tares are getting closer to Satan in these last days. Those who love God are going the other direction as they draw closer to God while rejecting the things of the devil. I would encourage all born-again Christians to be faithful and stand firm as soon the Lord will soon return to rapture home His church!!!



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