Legalism, Part Two : Walking the Line

See Part One. One point, I will re-emphasize is that legalism is man-made rules. Standing up for the clear doctrines of the Scripture is not legalism, it is Christianity!

After discussing Legalism and what it is and isn’t, we turn to the subject of how we ought to respond and treat other believers:

Don’t Pile On Rules

In the 1st Century, people came to Gentile Converts to Christianity telling them they could only be saved through circumcision. In Jerusalem, when it was being discussed by the Apostles and Elders, Peter rose up and said:

“Now, therefore why tempt ye God to put a yoke upon the necks of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.”-Acts 15:10,11

The Apostle James said that the gentile church shouldn’t be “troubled” with the whole of the law. Only be given 4 basic moral rules to follow and left to grow into understanding the moral law of God.

Now, James did expect people to understand the Word of God and apply it to their lives. One of James’ points was that the law of Moses was taught in every city and that from that Gentiles could learn and apply other principals to their lives.

Its important, particularly with new believers not to lay down a hundred page rule book. Basic Christian morals like not killing or committing sexual immorality, or being dishonest. The rest will come with time.

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