Legalism is the New Excuse for Disobedience

Disobedience is one of the main reasons disciples don't make disciples and churches don't replicate churches. Disobedience is also the reason we don't see transformation at every level: individual, family, community, city, nation. Yet when I talk about obeying the commands of Christ, the first accusation I face is, "You are a legalist." or "You believe in salvation by works." When did simple obedience to Christ become legalism? When did obeying Christ become a works-based salvation? The answer is 'Never.' I think they are easy smokescreens thrown up by a people who have the trappings of Godliness but none of the transformative power that comes with doing what Jesus said to do. If obedience isn't part of church, then we are not church. If obedience is not part of making disciples, then we won't see a disciple-making movement.

[nydelisortiz]

Without obedience we can't have faith. Faith is obeying God because we believe Him.

[kaitlynlee]

but we cannot obey God on our own strength. We need the spirit to help us

[jimkraft]

John 6:40 And this is the will of Him that sent me, that all that seeth the Son, and believeth in Him, may have eternal life and I will raise him up on the last day.

Legalism is trying to earn favor with God by keeping the law and doing good works. Jesus said, by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Roans 3:23 For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. We are all sinners. The gospel. First Corinthians 15:3-4 That Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures, that He was buried and rose again on the third day, according to the scriptures.

When we believe He did it for us, we are saved and given eternal life. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, and we all sin, but the GIFT of God is eternal life. Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace ye are saved, and that not of yourself, it is the GIFT of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. Salvation is a free gift from God when we believe the gospel.

Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom also after ye believed, ye were sealed by that Holy Spirit of promise. John 3:18 You can never be condemned again

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the children of God, even to them that BELEIVE ON HIS NAME.

First John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know ye have eternal life.

Romans 11:6 It is all grace, not works. Romans 4:5 But to the one that worketh not, but believe on Him who justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

John 3:16 is true. Jesus can not lie. John 6:37 He will never cast you out. John 10:28-29 And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never parish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. And my Father who is greater than all, no one can pluck us out of His hand. Double eternal security. Once you believe you are going ot heaven whether you want to or not. Romans 4:6-8 He imputes His righteousness to us, and will no more impute sin to our account.


AMAZING GRACE, JESUS PAID IT ALL AND WE PAID 0. iT IS FREE. if yo are a believer, I will see you in heaven.

[jimlilly]

The type of obedience you are talking about is really the second part of Metanoia - repentance. The first part is a change in the way we think. The second part of repentance is a response to that change of mind. Without repentance we cannot enter the kingdom of God.

[Todd]

Your definition of legalism is flawed. It’s the rules people like you make up and call it obedience. Obedience by definition is subjective according to the Bible. The fact that you are an accuser and judge shows your who and what you are.