Legalism - A Reason for Christian Defeat

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bob F on January 24, 2008 at 5:07pm

Let's pray while the Galatians study is being set up that God will use this study in our lives and the lives of those who join us in it.

Blessings.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Paige Robertson on January 24, 2008 at 11:34pm

Hello Bob-
Yes I will. I think that this will be good for everyone. I am excited to learn more from it and become more stronger in the truth that I am saved by faith and I dont have to "earn" his love all the time.
Get back to me when everything is good to go!!! Thanks!
paige

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jerrocco on February 7, 2008 at 11:01pm

Here's one for legalism

GOD Speaking to Aaron in Numbers 18:

7 Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest's office for everything of the altar, and within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest's office unto you as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

8 And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Behold, I also have given thee the charge of mine heave offerings of all the hallowed things of the children of Israel; unto thee have I given them by reason of the anointing, and to thy sons, by an ordinance for ever.

20And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.

21And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.

24But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.

Why do Religious leaders fail to recognize this portion of the scriptures? Why do they make a profit from the prophets? Why do they make merchandise out of the works of GOD? As you can see from scripture, GOD set aside tithe collection for the Levities alone. Yet again, university-level professors and religious know-it-all's will say that the first believers of the Messiah performed the tithe and so should christians today.

The most popular scripture of religious leaders use is

Malachi 3
8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
10Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Today, Christians are taught that GOD is speaking to the modern believers in these set of verses. GOD is speaking to the "Nation," that is, the children of Israel. Again, refering to numbers 18, the children of Israel didn't bring the tithe to the sons of Aaron and that made GOD upset with them.
I'd say, if Gentiles were going to collect a tithe, they should give it all to a Levitical Jew who is the proper person to recieve it. Multi-Million dollar Ministries should be ashamed of themselves to collect a tithe, they should call it what it truely is, a profit. It only takes 10 people across America to send 100 dollars to a Ministry and theres an easy 1000 dollars. Imagine that ministry getting money from more than one country.

Still not convinced?

Acts 5

9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

Skip to verse 12

12And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.

Yes, the first disciples of the Messiah performed the rite of tithe. As you can see from scriptural reference, the temple is still standing. So, since they were still Jews, and the temple was still standing, why not please GOD by following the rules of the land? Today, the temple mound is mounted with a mosque and the only thing left standing is the whailing wall. Where will the Levitical order place the tithe if the temple is no longer around? Of course the first believers could perform the rite of tithe because they were Jews, but gentiles are not Jews of the Levitical order. Again, Gentiles should not collect a tithe at there churches in order to fill the budget of the church or its patrons. The tithe belongs to Levitical Jews. Gentiles are apart of the order of Melchisedec. Melchisedec is another story.

Hebrews 5:10
Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
Genesis 14:18
And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

Lets see what Jesus the Messiah thought about the temple.

14And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:

15And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;

16And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.

17And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.

Mark 13
1And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!

2And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

Mark 14:58
We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.

AD 70, the Roman General Titus destroyed the Jewish Temple just how the Messiah said it would be. The temple is gone, so the act of tithe collection is no more. According to Biblical History, tithe collection belongs to Levitical Jews who's job is to collect the tithe into GOD'S temple.


For future reference, it is best to read Numbers 18 in the old testament and Hebrews 7 in the new testament for significant edification of what the bible says about tithing.

I think the Tithe collection should not be performed by gentiles.

JAH BLESS!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jerrocco on February 7, 2008 at 11:03pm

And another!

Definition of Legalism:

1. strict adherence, or the principle of strict adherence, to law or prescription, esp. to the letter rather than the spirit.
2. Theology. a. the doctrine that salvation is gained through good works.
b. the judging of conduct in terms of adherence to precise laws.


Works are one of the things people fear while participating in the church.
From sex before marriage, not drinking alcohol, the sabath (means 7th) day on sunday (1st day) , and many other things not actually mentioned in the bible, the religious community trust the ideas of men rather than the "BIBLE WAY." In reality, its a philosophy of the modern church to trust the leaders of the church more than putting their noses in the Bible itself.

To make one point clear on the Ideas of legalism, I will give you scripture on the "BIBLE WAY" of Alcohol.

Genesis 14:18
And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and WINE: and he was the priest of the most high God.

Numbers 6:20
And the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD: this is holy for the priest, with the wave breast and heave shoulder: and after that the Nazarite may drink WINE.

Numbers 18:12
All the best of the oil, and all the best of the WINE, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer unto the LORD, them have I given thee.

Deuteronomy 14:26
And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for WINE, or for STRONG DRINK, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,

Joel 2:19
Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and WINE, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:


(In this case, STRONG DRINK can be considered beer because they didn't have the word in those times, at least not in translation.)

To this day, Jewish people drink alcohol. The most orthodox Jews make kosher wine and it is not considered a sin when they drink. If Christianity comes from Judaisms Jewish customs, why is it a sin for only christians to drink alcohol? If it pleases GOD to give them WINE or STRONG DRINK, why are modern believers told its a sin? The "BIBLE WAY" says that GOD accepted alcohol as a gift from those that believed him, yet modern religious leader want their followers to believe drinking is a sin. Would GOD accept a sinful gift? GOD forbid, and let it not be true. Or, why would GOD give something considered a sin to his followers?

Here is an instant where believers of GOD should not drink alcohol.

Leviticus 10:9
Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations:

1 Samuel 1
7And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.
13Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.
14And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.
15And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.

Ezekiel 44:21
Neither shall any priest drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.

1 Corinthians 11
21For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.
22What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? what shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.

See, in the old testament, they knew NOT TO DRINK IN THE CONGREGATION.
Drinking elsewere is ok unless it was in excess. Even Paul new t

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Sharon Theresa Theil on April 13, 2010 at 8:46pm

You may be right about alcohol consumption Jesus' first miracle was turning water in to wine, after all. However, when it comes to things like 'sex before marriage' the Bible is very clear on this point.

In His Name,

Sharon

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by konceptskool on February 16, 2008 at 1:32am

I know though one thing, You cannot frame righteusness in the pallet of the law.. this most Christians have not understood.. at first legalism appears to work but on the long run it fails..ask God he tried it for 2 thousand years with his people and it failed. He had to bring in a new covenant although we dont deserve that sort of behaviour..Oh may we learn to leave God to do his work. God bless

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Pastor Bob B on March 20, 2008 at 6:26am

I would like to pick up this discussion by talking about a legalistic practice that a lot of us are not a where of. I hope I can explain this with clarity;
God will do something in a meeting; example some one raised their hands and were prayed for and are slain in the Spirit and were instantly healed.
The legalism comes into play now; every one must raise their hands and fall down to be healed. This happens all the time. Pretty soon we have all these extra Biblical things that we are doing that Have really little to do with true Biblical Christianity.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mandy on March 20, 2008 at 10:45am

I'd like to know where legalism fits into my work environment. As a nurse, I am inserviced on the fact that I am to respect all cultures and religions. I take that to mean; to love all equally. However, if I choose to pray with someone or give someone christian advice about why someone should consider hospice for their loved one. I have found myself saying why God wants us to go to the Father. Die with dignity. And so on about why not everyone is meant to be healed. I do this in a Christian manner. However I have gotten into trouble, not from the family; but the doctor's who where outraged with me. Many of the physicians are Muslim. They are freely allowed to practice their religion. So why can't a nurse paractice her Christianity? Does this fall into the catagory of Legalism? If so, what can I do about my situation. My family gets on me to stop, you will lose your job. They don't understand how I feel. I have much more to lose than a job! My life to the Lord and Saviour! But even if this does not have to do wth legalism I still am interested in learning more and more. I would love to participate in a Bible study with a group. I do Bible studies at home alone, from books I pick up at the Christian book store. For I feel very hungry to know my Savior more and more each day. And I find myself talking to him more and more. Praise our Lord for sending the Holy Spirit and consuming our hearts for his purpose.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bob F on March 20, 2008 at 5:53pm

Mandy,

You can start a Bible study with your friends using the Genesis study guide currentily being used on this website. It seems that most people like the Genesis study. You don't have to know all the answers. When you don't know the answer to a question people ask, just admit you don't know the answer and trust God to show you where you can find the answers in the Bible. You can ask other believers, even on this website, where to find answers to your questions or the questions of your friends.

Bible study guides are also available from the same publisher for Exodus, Gospel of John, Galatians, and Ephesians. Life of Jesus (22 lessons from Matthew, Mark, and Luke and 3 Lessons from John) should be in print and available by June. You can order them from the publisher at: www.csm-publishing.org or via email at: csmidirect@gmail.com

Have a blessed holy week.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Pastor Bob B on March 20, 2008 at 7:27pm

Years ago I worked for the state in an institution for mentally retarded and I was repromanded for preaching to others while on the Job. At the time I felt just like you, then someone reminded me that I was being paid to do a certain job and that I needed to be doing my job that I was being paid to do and that it was not right for me to use State time for ministry.
I also recall a nurse who is a very Godly women take a stand with programing that the state was doing that was endangering the well being of the clients. She would not bug and went to court when they tried to fire her. She is retired now, but she left her mark because it was a just cause. I pray that God will give you as the serentity prayer say,
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Regarding Bible study, I like Bob F suggestion.

I have never thought about legalism in our work places, but we could become legalistic in our wittnessing, our interactions with unbelievers, This is a great issue to discuss further, I would love to hear some comment about .

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page