Weekly Bulletins
Love or Legalism
LOVE OR LEGALISM?
Words like “grace”, “love” and “mercy are often in the vocabulary of modern-day preachers. Virtually omitted are words like “law”, “commandments” and “obedience.” The preachers who use these often omitted words are sometimes accused of being legalists.
A “legalist” believes that we are saved solely by law keeping. The erroneous view that man is saved by “the deeds of the law” (Rom. 3:20) is something that the apostle Paul opposed two centuries ago. If it is being taught today we need to fight against it.
Cherishing God’s Word and wanting to DO right in everything is not legalism, it is love! It is wanting to please God. John, the “apostle of love”, taught the following: “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3). Jesus Himself said: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Those who do not want to do right in everything and to please God have a faulty concept of love.
Let us talk often of God’s grace, mercy and love. And, let us talk of man’s responsibilities before His Creator. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
Mike Pittman
