Legalism: The Unpardonable Sin?
It is sad to me that many Christians seem to view legalism as the worst thing that one can be entrapped by. Sin can be forgiven, but legalism? Probably not.
If your definition of legalism is “strict rules intended to earn favor with God,” then you are right that this can be a danger for Christians, but I believe the greater danger is in not obeying God’s Word. I hear more people warning against legalism than I do pastors preaching about Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.
For myself, it encourages me when I see people who want to live like Christ. Maybe I have more “freedom” than they do in certain areas, but I would never encourage them to do something that they feel is wrong, nor would I tell them to stop doing something that they think they should be doing.
Romans 14:5-6 says, “One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.”
If it is not a sin issue, why does it bother us if others live differently than we do? Rather than judging others for what we consider to be legalism, we should be praying that God will show us how He desires us to live.
Very good article.
In a post on a recent blog. A gentleman was writing about the issue that is in the Roman Catholic church about child abuse. He made mentioned that the viewing of pornography could lead to child abuse and that a large percentage of ministers in the protestant movement are having a spiritual issue with pornography.
Another reader responded that it was not so in defense of pornography. But that person not only defended that the statement was not true, but he proceeded to call the person names and then made a remark that the person was a glutton and was going to go to hell, even though that person had not passed judgment on the pornographer or the abuser.
Your article made me think of a scripture.
Matthew 5:19-21
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Many churches are teaching by not teaching against sin that it is alright to sin, because the preachers will not preach the whole gospel.
Everybody is doing right in their own eyes.
You are exactly right.
Here is an interesting scripture that we do not hear taught, much less obeyed.
The Word Of Faith movement likes the very last portion of verse 23.
I am including 3 translations for you to look at.
Romans 14:21-23 King James Version (KJV)
21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Romans 14:21-23 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
21 The right thing is to eat no meat or drink no wine [at all], or [do anything else] if it makes your brother stumble or hurts his conscience or offends or weakens him.
22 Your personal convictions [on such matters]—exercise [them] as in God’s presence, keeping them to yourself [striving only to know the truth and obey His will]. Blessed (happy, [a]to be envied) is he who has no reason to judge himself for what he approves [who does not convict himself by what he chooses to do].
23 But the man who has doubts (misgivings, an uneasy conscience) about eating, and then eats [perhaps because of you], stands condemned [before God], because he is not true to his convictions and he does not act from faith. For whatever does not originate and proceed from faith is sin [whatever is done without a conviction of its approval by God is sinful].
Romans 14:21-23 New Living Translation (NLT)
21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble.[a] 22 You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right. 23 But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.[b]