CHAPTER 1 -
Which issues are connected with legalism?
Before proceeding with
how to understand the grace of God, and righteousness through faith, it is
important to understand the concept of legalism – the state in which a person
is uncertain of his salvation and the approval of God. Perhaps you recognize
yourself from the following list dealing with this issue. For example, even
Martin Luther – a renowned reformer – lived in a state of legalism for several
years, despite having been saved. His "experience in the tower"
finally made him understand that a man will receive righteousness only
through faith and by the grace of God.
Legalism usually displays the following
features, typically found in a person who has not fully understood the concept
of grace:
- Confessing sins
over and over again. It is typical for a person guided by legalism to confess
the same sins repeatedly, not understanding that he received forgiveness for
all his sins when he received Christ into his life. He might build his
foundation of Christian faith on confession of sins, even though we are saved
only by the atonement of Jesus.
- An inner voice
constantly demands that a person acts in ways that he will receive the approval
of God: "Why don't you witness more? Why don't you pray more? God won’t
accept you if you can’t do better."
- Concentrating on
oneself in matters of salvation is one of the most common symptoms, in the same
way that it is the reason people feel little assurance that they are saved.
- God is seen as a
demanding and harsh judge.
- The person fears
that he has committed an unforgivable sin.
- The person does
not see salvation as a gift from God that can be received immediately, but
tries to save himself through his own deeds. This kind of a person typically
sets his hopes on the future. He may think that one day, after saying enough prayers,
reading the Bible, and giving testimonies to other people, God will finally
have mercy on him and forgive him.
- The person
measures the success of his Christian life by counting his acts and measuring
how successful he has been in fighting sin. If he has enjoyed great success, he
may think that God is pleased with him. But if he feels he has failed to do so,
he will think the opposite.
- A person shows
himself to God like he is perfect. When he goes to God in prayer, he does not
go as a sinner, but as a person who is as good as possible. Because of this he
sometimes waits a long time after his failures; waits until he feels good
enough about himself, and only then does he find the courage to turn to God
again.
