A legalistic mindset can lead us to thinking more highly of ourselves as we ought to, as human nature disparages godly logic.

It should be concerning to us when others appear overly impressed by us (or someone else;) exalting people for what GOD is doing. We need to tell them…….It’s not me you’re impressed with, it’s God working in me that impresses you; you’re impressed by HIM. They will immediately get what you are saying. We believers can learn from the errors of our forefathers, see Numbers 20:10-13.

Sometimes in the attempt to forgo legalism, we are consequently drawn to the OSAS doctrine, which is in essence, doing nothing. 

It’s true we don’t do works to earn our way into Heaven, and YES, we are only saved by His Grace, not of works. See Ephesians 2:8-9. However, if we truly believe, we will truly love Him and desire to please Him, therefore, we WILL do good works. (We will use our will to choose His Will.)

These good works of the saints are not a prerequisite to salvation, they come as a result of salvation, because God changes our hearts from wanting to elevate ourselves to wanting to elevate HIM and give HIM all the Glory in every way possible. See James 2:26

Obedience means following the promptings of the Holy Spirit Who lives and abides in us and instructs, prompts and urges us to obey God and hear His Voice over our own, while legalism is set up to fail; enticing only the lust of self-promotion. Everything we do out of legalism makes us feel good about our accomplishments, while satisfying God’s Desires comes only from listening to His Voice, which comes with rewards and pleasures and blessings that cannot even be counted or measured.

 Obedience OR Legalism?

--Feeling guilty for missing Sunday morning services, but there was valid reason

--Taking on varying jobs at church in order to feel good about oneself

--Helping the poor because out of love and care for their needs being met

--Making out your daily agenda under the direction of God’s Spirit’ leading

--Not feeling guilty about missing church because of leading to go visit a sick friend in the hospital and there is no other visiting time you can go

--Doing work for the church because you want to help out your brothers and sisters in Christ

--Going into the mall to walk around, as God’s Spirit led you to; possibly to witness to a lost soul or two, while doing a little window shopping

--Sending a few anonymous dollars through the mail to help pay for canned goods at a local food pantry

When we examine these obvious differences, it’s easy to tell these opposing principles apart. However, in the midst of living life, we do not always realize the motive behind why we do the things we do and this discernment can make all the difference.

Because as we know, God looks at the heart. See 1Samuels 16:7. To the contrary, legalism includes all the things we do for the sake of appearances. 

It can even come from a desire to satisfy a sense of obligation, that’s like visiting your parents, when all you really want is to hit them up for a loan.

Linzy is a certified Bible Counsellor, with countless republications on her viewers blogs, Bible Studies, Ezines and the like. Her portfolio includes, non-fiction articles, short stories for all ages, and Christian poetry.