Day 124: How Do We Avoid the Trap of Legalism?
The things that we have been discussing this week are dangerous ideas. Many have twisted these thoughts into legalism—the way of thinking that says, “If I do this, then God must do this …” Father-God will not be manipulated this way and He desires a better way for us. We are working out our salvation, not working for it.
WORKwork:
Philippians 2:12–13
So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence, 2:13 for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort—for the sake of his good pleasure—is God.
What does Paul tell the Philippians to continue “working out”?
What is God brining forth in them?
1 Timothy 4:7-9
Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.
What does Paul tell Timothy to train himself for?
Why is this goal important?
Paul tells the Philippians to “continue working out” their salvation. Now notice, Paul does not say, “working for” their salvation. Salvation is something they already “have” and it needs to be worked out—cultivated into every aspect and facet of their lives.
Paul then tells them that it is Father God working in them to produce both their desire and their effort. 2:13 literally says, “the one empowering in you both the desire and the empowerment…” is Father God. Father God is at work in us, empowering us to do what is pleasing to Him! We will return to that awesome idea a little later.
In the Timothy passage, Paul tells Timothy to “train himself” and notice the goal of the training: Godliness. We are going to see that word again. It means exactly what it sounds like: to be like God. It means to be like God in the sense of taking on His virtues, His character qualities. Take note: Godliness is something that has value in both this life and the one to come!
Paul also warns Timothy not to get hung up in “irreverent, silly myths.” These “myths” are always traditions that are not in line with the Truth in Christ. One form of these types of myths is legalism.
The minute spiritual exercises are turned into an external “law” that must be done in a certain way, they are given soul-killing power. The disciplined life is not a pattern of life that seeks to make deals with Father God. We do not impose the exercises on ourselves or anyone else with the expectation that merely doing them obligates God to work. This is akin to the sympathetic magic that the pagans practice to try to win the favor of their “gods.”
Spiritual exercises are entered into faithfully, hopefully, joyously, and lovingly. We are not seeking to obligate God to bless us. Our goal is to cultivate and put into practice the grace already given and available to us in Christ in a Way of life that focuses on Him as our treasure, prize and goal. This helps us avoid the trap of legalism and externalism. Father God is working in Christ through the Holy Spirit in us from the inside out, not the outside in. Think about that statement and understand its significance. It is one of the most important truths related to our transformation in Christ.
Some false teachers have turned the exercises into “laws,” which are then used to manipulate others (and themselves) through fear, guilt, and shame. We call this legalism:
KEY Definition:
Legalism is the deceptive teaching that Father God
saves us and blesses us because of what we do. It is a false “gospel” of Christ + Something.
Legalism has led many to despair. Without the proper attitudes, without the proper mind-set, without the proper focus of heart, the exercises will have little effect on life. In fact, they may even have a disastrous effect on life. The way in which we perceive the use of the exercises is just as important, if not more important, as the practice of the exercises themselves.
We also want to avoid the trap of thinking that this is just about “behavior modification.” This is to say that if I am doing things that are good, then I must be good. Just because we know how to do something does not mean we are automatically producing the desired result. This is true in the spiritual life as well. We can be “nice” to others while hating them in our hearts. Father God desires better for us.
What we do is important. But Father-God is also concerned with transforming our thoughts, desires and emotions—parts of us that we can’t change on our own. The reality of Christ living in the “inner person” transforming the attitudes and values of the Heart and Mind is the ultimate goal. Exercises only aid and assist in this task. They may even serve as catalysts and motivators. Yet the proper external behavior is no guarantee that the inner reality is being affected.
Paul began his letter to Timothy by reminding him of the main goal of all that we do:
1 Timothy 1:5
Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.
If you remember, the greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30). The point is that we pursue the things that we pursue for the sake of learning to love God more fully and completely in all that we do. We are seeking to cultivate that true, Genuine Love that Jesus Himself has displayed for us.
Next week, as we begin to dig into our three foundational exercises of 1) hearing the Word of God and Seeing His Glory, 2) Praying and 3) Serving, we must understand that these are ways to involve ourselves in the work that Father-God is already doing within us and in our other brothers and sisters in Christ. This requires our bodies and our hearts and minds. It requires all that we are. This is a process of growing in that “deep and rich personal knowledge of God” (2 Peter 1:3, 8). Just remember: We are not working FOR our salvation, we are working OUT the salvation and acceptance and love that we already have in Christ.
What did you hear today that was new for you? Do you understand what Legalism is?
*You can find a complete list of all the MilktoMeat readings here.
