Legalism (01.08.2006)

Before you read the notes, let me point out just how great God is at orchestrating things and speaking to us. God led me to have Trent and Carolina share their testimonies on December 18 so we could start a two-part look at legalism on January 8 (after not having class on December 25 and January 1).

Unknown to me -- but certainly known to God -- Pastor Gregg's message on January 8 was on legalism, too! I don't know about you, but the timing of these two messages is making me take another look at my life. What is God saying to me? What is He saying to you?

-----------------------------------------------------------------

This week, we continue our look at barriers to compassion by talking about legalism.

What are some rules that we have for single adults?

JESUS REACTS TO LEGALISM
Read Luke 11:37-43 – Jesus Criticizes the Religious Leaders

Is the Pharisees’ request that Jesus wash his hands really that out of line?

• Today, we might expect others to wash their hands before eating, especially if we would be passing food to one another.
• However, in Jesus' time, the Pharisees did not know about germs! So as some translations clearly indicate, this is purely a "ceremonial" washing -- not a health precaution!

Pharisees focus on the external; Jesus focuses on the internal.

LEGALISM DESTROYS LOVE
Read Mark 7:1-13 – Jesus Teaches about Inner Purity

Legalism uses a good rule in a way that forgets about the individual.

If we elevate human tradition to the level of God’s law, we create legalism.

“Fencing the law” – adding more rules than were actually in the law so that people would not even get close to disobeying the law

• An example of "fencing" might be prohibitions against the game of billiards. While this is not as common anymore, it once served as a "fence" to keep people away from pool halls where they may encounter things that were a violation of the law (prostitution, etc.).

The impacts of legalism:

• Gives an excuse not to be compassionate.
• Forgets that the heart of the law is caring for people. Jesus says the heart of the law is love
• Uses the law to make those who practice it feel good. For the legalist, the law which was meant to show us our need for God becomes a means of being independent from God.

Legalists want people to look at them. People who love want to look at others. Remember, compassion is all about looking at others – turning our attention toward them, not ourselves.

JESUS’ TEACHING ABOUT THE HEART
Read Mark 7:14-23

We cannot claim to be victims of our environment – it simply prompts the impurities in us to manifest themselves. Our internal impurities make us receptive to external influences.

Imagine you had a diary or videotape of everything you said, did or thought – and it ended up on Ebay. How much would you be willing to pay to get it back?

Food for thought: If we are naturally good, then why do we naturally do what is wrong? Why do we need to be taught to do what is good? Have you ever had to teach a child to do wrong?

THE DANGER OF LEGALISM
The danger of legalism:

Why do we gravitate toward legalism?

• Our hearts are evil.
• The essence of evil is pride.
• Therefore, our evil/proud hearts fail to recognize/admit our own evil – our need for internal change!

TABLE TALK:

• How would you counsel a Christian friend who is legalistic in an area of his/her life?
• How would you counsel a friend who considers himself saved based on his adherence to the “rules” of Christianity or his church?

JESUS OFFERS HOPE
Read Mark 1:14-15 – Jesus Preaches The Good News

We are not naturally compassionate. We cannot love the way Jesus does. A good example – even Jesus himself – is not enough. We need a new heart that has the very person of Jesus in it! That’s what the Gospel – the good news – is all about!

Without a new heart, any attempt we make to clean up the outside is no different than spray painting a pile of garbage. Our desperate attempt to make it more attractive can never cover what it really is.

PRAYING GOD'S WORD
Use the following passages to pray God’s Word back to Him, either on your own or with others:

• For in Christ, neither my most conscientious religion nor disregard of religion amounts to anything. What matters is something far more interior: the faith I express in love. It is not what I do – submit to circumcision, reject circumcision. It is what You are doing, God, and You are creating something totally new, a free life! (Galatians 5:6, 6:15; The Message)

BEING THE REAL DEAL
Here are some ways to apply this message from God’s Word:

• Put Mark 7:20-23 to the test. Choose a day to keep a piece of paper and pen with you at all times. Jot down any thoughts you have about others – good and bad. Every criticism, every fear, every compassion, every envy, every compliment. Be honest with yourself and God.
• Ask God to reveal to you any rules that you hold on to in lieu of walking in freedom with Him. Are there any helpful disciplines that have become empty rules or human traditions?