John Bevere - Undercover Legalism
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I’ve just listed some of the obvious; however, there are more subtle forms of legalism that are actually more dangerous. These are imposed and often self-imposed criteria that people strictly adhere to in order to earn salvation, grow spiritually, or use to judge outward appearances of others. A sampling of these could be earning God’s grace or favor by praying longer hours, how much we fast, or reading prescribed daily portions of the Bible. We may struggle to receive forgiveness, so we succumb to the urge to punish ourselves in some fashion to make up for the wrong we’ve done.
This takes the focus off the blood of Jesus and puts it right back on us. That is legalism; that is worldliness. Legalism could manifest in believing we have greater access to God because we serve diligently in ministry or in our church, or we believe our prayers are heard quickly because we haven’t committed any significant sins lately. The unspoken mindset is we fill our spiritual bank account with good behavior, deeds, or works. Legalism doesn’t allow a person to rest or enjoy life due to its driving pressure to be constantly busy in ministry, whether it’s church administration, volunteering, or giving time for the poor. Love is not the motivation; rather, attempting to earn God’s favor is the focus.
The Pharisee who judged the town’s notorious sinner is a classic form of legalism. You know what legalism does? It robs people of joy. And you know what my Bible says? My Bible says the kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but living a life of goodness, peace, and joy. You know what joy is? It’s the calling card to the lost. When the lost see how much joy we have, no matter what our circumstances are, they ask, «What is it about you?»