They Call It Legalism

[Richard OFfill]

Have you noticed that often when we talk about keeping the Sabbath someone will say it is legalism. I have noticed that it is more and more frequent when we talk about holy living that someone will use the words legalistic, Pharisee or judgemental.

Some of our people are genuinely confused. Is it possible to be legalistic, a Pharisee or judgemental? When is a person one and when is it a false allegation?

[Jim]

I believe this is determined by motives. Why is a person obeying?  If a person is trying to obey out of fear of punishment or hope of reward they are only serving themselves and thus are being legalistic by attempting to obey the law under their own power.

[newbie]

This accusations will never die.... 

We do them because we trust God knows what is best for us.  We trust that all the inspiration He has given us is for our own good.  Why do we trust Him?   Because He loves us.  You can trust if you know you are loved and then love in return and to do His will. 

[colporteur]

Since it is about motives it is "judgemental" to refer to a person or a person's actions as legalism. I was manning a literature booth at campmeeting. A man stopped by and visited. He said he sells all out books. I was impressed by his words that he sells alot of books not our own and is kind of a maverick. He wanted to know the prices of some of the books. I explained that prices were not available on the Sabbath. He was quite put out and said, "that's legalism!"  I wished I could have the moment back as I would have asked, "would you buy them on the Sabbath as well?"

[Larry Lyons]

Have you noticed that often when we talk about keeping the Sabbath someone will say it is legalism. I have noticed that it is more and more frequent when we talk about holy living that someone will use the words legalistic, Pharisee or judgemental.

Some of our people are genuinely confused. Is it possible to be legalistic, a Pharisee or judgemental? When is a person one and when is it a false allegation?

We have had a couple of members in the past who, as they say, walk on the "progressive" side of the Adventist street. I recall that one would defend his views by saying that he "stayed within the bounds of the Adventist fundamental beliefs." That sounds like legalism to me.
On the other side of the street there are those who, like the original Pharisees, spend more energy on looking good than they do on doing good or being good. 

[Raven]

I avoid stealing when I enter a retail establishment.  I do my best to be honest.  I have never cheated on my wife.  Is this legalism?  Why is it legalism to try and keep the Sabbath, but not to honor your father or mother?  There is no logic in these arguments against Sabbath keeping.

[colporteur]

I avoid stealing when I enter a retail establishment.  I do my best to be honest.  I have never cheated on my wife.  Is this legalism?  Why is it legalism to try and keep the Sabbath, but not to honor your father or mother?  There is no logic in these arguments against Sabbath keeping.

Yes, if a thief were to pull a gun on a homeowner and then pull the hammer back would the homeowner cry " if you don't shoot its legalism!"

If a hood knocked on the door of someone who is fond of using "legalism" to excuse Sabbath breaking, and said I want to have sex with your wife would the husband say, "by all means" we're not  legalists ?

[The time now]

Keeping the commands of God is not legalism in my "Good Book"

I see the changing priorities every where I go these day's. The Church is drifting into dangerous ground when you hear people say that keeping the Sabbath is legalism in
our own church. Faith based on loyalty is now replaced by a simple

[Share]

Keeping the commands of God is not legalism in my "Good Book"

I see the changing priorities every where I go these day's. The Church is drifting into dangerous ground when you hear people say that keeping the Sabbath is legalism in
our own church. Faith based on loyalty is now replaced by a simple

[wondering]

This also stems from a wrong view of the 10 Commandments. They are really promises to those who live in Christ...promises that we can overcome sin in our lives through the power of God.

Paraphrase it this way...

When you live in Christ you will not (and not want to) steal, etc.

We are told that the Law will be written on our hearts and minds, so we won't even want to do those things. He is promising that he will change both our desires and behaviors.

[teresa]

Have you noticed that often when we talk about keeping the Sabbath someone will say it is legalism. I have noticed that it is more and more frequent when we talk about holy living that someone will use the words legalistic, Pharisee or judgemental.

Some of our people are genuinely confused. Is it possible to be legalistic, a Pharisee or judgemental? When is a person one and when is it a false allegation? 

there was one lady who was quite tricky in taking me down "bible" roads.   she was very nice, and kind and all that mumbo-jumbo but the end result was that she was trying to trick me into "seeing" that keeping the sabbath was legalistic.

i would answer the best i could but i didnt feel my answers were very good.  its hard realizing your in agreement with someone until they get to the punchline and find youve been sucker-punched.

this one particular time she started in on her nicey-nice trip down manipulation lane.  realizing that i was being tricked yet again, i prayed and asked God to answer her.  He did.  she didnt do that again for a long, long time.

[Deborah Risinger]

Theresa...there is only one person you need to be concerned with concerning "legalism"...yourself.  Only two people have access to your heart...God and you.

I have often ask The Lord if I was offending Him...am I a legalist???  Am I honest with God and trying to "become" and "live" as He would have me???  Or, am I deluding myself.

Christians will continue to wrestle with these issues...it is part of the "sanctification process." 

As time goes on...being called a legalist will be mild compared with what is coming....

Hold on tight...

God Keep Us All
Deborah

[newbie]

nicey-nice trip down manipulation lane

teresa,
I like the way you put this...  we all have to be careful of such devices.  Thanks for sharing.
newbie

[mindbender46]

Have you noticed that often when we talk about keeping the Sabbath someone will say it is legalism. I have noticed that it is more and more frequent when we talk about holy living that someone will use the words legalistic, Pharisee or judgemental.

Some of our people are genuinely confused. Is it possible to be legalistic, a Pharisee or judgemental? When is a person one and when is it a false allegation?
[/quote]


I find it odd that people who would never think of committing murder or robbery see no harm in violating the sabbath. The sabbath seems to have no moral significance to so many people.  And yet it is the ONLY one of the ten that has the word, "REMEMBER" included in its message to us.

I doubt any would think it legalistic to say, "Don't steal". "Or don't kill". But remind them the sabbath is holy and they go ballistic.

I have a theory.  People like to do it...."My way". They willingly go to church, pay tithes, offerings, help with the church program, but after church or on days they don't attend, they want to do what pleases them. And they don't want you telling them that's wrong.

Here is what God's word has to say about it.

Isa.58:13
If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

See the word "pleasure" in that statement?

I think it is about pride. Me, I, my way.

I firmly believe it is never legalistic to obey the sabbath any more than it is to obey the other nine commandments.

[Larry Lyons]

Have you noticed that often when we talk about keeping the Sabbath someone will say it is legalism. I have noticed that it is more and more frequent when we talk about holy living that someone will use the words legalistic, Pharisee or judgemental.

Some of our people are genuinely confused. Is it possible to be legalistic, a Pharisee or judgemental? When is a person one and when is it a false allegation?



I find it odd that people who would never think of committing murder or robbery see no harm in violating the sabbath. The sabbath seems to have no moral significance to so many people.  And yet it is the ONLY one of the ten that has the word, "REMEMBER" included in its message to us.

I doubt any would think it legalistic to say, "Don't steal". "Or don't kill". But remind them the sabbath is holy and they go ballistic.

I have a theory.  People like to do it...."My way". They willingly go to church, pay tithes, offerings, help with the church program, but after church or on days they don't attend, they want to do what pleases them. And they don't want you telling them that's wrong.

Here is what God's word has to say about it.

Isa.58:13
If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

See the word "pleasure" in that statement?

I think it is about pride. Me, I, my way.

I firmly believe it is never legalistic to obey the sabbath any more than it is to obey the other nine commandments.

Greetings Mindbender, and welcome to the forum!
I totally agree with what you say. I think many of us do not have a high enough concept of what it means to keep the Sabbath. I have noticed that conversation before and after church services and at potluck, for example, often does not indicate that we are "remembering"  the Sabbath to keep it holy, but instead we are talking about the same things that concern us during the rest of the week.