Fixing Fallacies: Life in Christianity - Part 3

Fallacy 2: Life In Christianity Is About Being Legalistic

One Aspect of Legalism is the Belief that Salvation and/or Divine Favor is Granted to Those Who Strictly Observe the Law

Acronym for LEGALism

There are Many Christians Who Might Classify as Legalists

Because There are Many Christians Who Seem to Think that Salvation Must be Earned by Perfect Obedience to the Law

This is Proven by the Christian Who Commits One Sin and Immediately Believes that They are Doomed to Hell

If that were the Case, Salvation Would Only be Available to Those Who are Perfect

Is Life in Christianity Really All about Trying to Perfectly Follow a Bunch of Rules and Laws?

Romans 13:8–10 NASB95

Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

The Old Law had a Lot of Rules that People were to Follow

Many Obeyed the Old Law because it was the Law and There were Harsh Punishments for Lawbreakers

But a Few of Our Favorite Old Testament Heroes of Faith Understood that Love was the Greatest Motivation for Obedience

In the Old Law, You Didn’t Hurt Someone because “An Eye for an Eye”

Under Jesus, You Don’t Hurt Someone because You Love that Person

Paul Tells Us that Life in Christianity is All about Loving Others

Christianity isn’t about Focusing on Obeying the Laws and Rules Perfectly

If We Love Others the Way We Love Ourselves, Obedience to the Rules and Laws will Naturally Flow from that Love

John 14:15 NASB95

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

If We Love Jesus, Obeying Him will Not be a Conscious Determination to Do Everything Perfectly

Obeying Him will Come Naturally to Us

Not Perfect Obedience, but Faithful, Everyday, Trusting, Loyal Obedience

And if We Love Our Neighbor as Ourselves, the Same Result will Follow

Paul Tells Us that Love Fulfills the Law

We Don’t Commit Adultery, Murder, Steal, or Covet, Not because We are Afraid of the Consequences, but because We Love Our Neighbor

“Love does no wrong to a neighbor”

Life in Christianity isn’t about Legalism, it’s about Love

What Is Life In Christianity Like?

Life in Christianity is...

Submitting to Our Government Authorities, Knowing that Our Father Gave Them the Authority They Have

Christians Ought to be the Best Citizens in Their Country

Because They are Citizens of Heaven

Not Legalism but Love

Christians are Obedient to the Laws of Our King becaue We Love Our King and We Love Others

I’m Going to Let Paul Give Us Our Invitation to Come to the Lord for Help

Romans 13:11–14 NASB95

Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

It’s Time for Some of Us to Wake Up

Jesus is Coming Soon, and Our Salvation is Closer than When We First Believed

The Days of Darkness in this Age is Almost Over

When Jesus Comes, We Better Make Sure We are Awake and Clothed with Light and Not Covered in the Darkness of this Age

Not Living it Up in Worldly Pleasures and Lusts

We Better Make Sure that We have Put on Our Lord Jesus Christ

Both in Baptism and in Our Daily Lives