1. ARE YOU A LEGALIST?

2. Legalism
Right or wrong?
Godly or ungodly?
Righteous or unrighteous?
Condemned or uncondemned?

3. What man says….
It is condemned because it emphasizes the external not the internal.
Christianity should be primarily a matter of the heart.
Legalism is only a “notch” above sinner.

4. Website Bible.org
Legalism a sin = Adultery, thievery, lying, etc.

5. Bible.org
Legalism is an attempt to gain favor with God, to impress our fellow man by doing certain things without regard to the condition of our hearts before God.

6. Bible.org
Legalist exalts himself in the sight of others by his outward behavior.

7. Some Definitions…
Strict adherence, or the principle adherence or prescription, especially to the letter rather than the spirit.

8. Merriam
Strict literal or excessive conformity to the law or to a religious or moral code.

9. The BIBLE
Jesus – If you love me you will keep my commandments.
John 14: 21-24

10. Be doers of the word and not hearers only.
James 1:22
For whoever shall keep the whole law and yet offend in one point is guilty of breaking the whole law.
James 2:10

11. Establishing Bible authority therefore, becomes paramount.
Requires deductive reasoning.

12. What’s the problem?
Faulty reasoning – Circular and Abductive reasoning.
Example: Faith Only doctrine.

13. Pharaseism
Luke 11: 37-44

14. Pharaseism
Hypocritical Judgment.
Matt. 24:14
Binding where God has not bound. Mark 7:3
Loving the Honor of men.
Matt. 23:3-7

15. What Pharaseism is NOT:
Righteous Judgment! John 7: 24
Keeping the law! Luke 11:42

16. Application:
One can be right about doctrine but if his/her heart is not right, it is of no use. John 13: 34-35; Gal. 5:13; I Cor. 13

17. We must not bind where God has not bound.

18. Fasting – Matt. 9:14
Washing of hands – Matt. 15:11
Eating with sinners – Mk. 2:16

19. God’s traditions are to be followed.
II Thes. 2: 15
So then, brethren, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.

20. Biblical traditions include:
Assembling. Acts 20: 7; I Cor. 14
Singing. Eph. 5:19
Prayer. I Cor. 14; I Tim. 2; James
Study or Preaching. I Cor. 14:26
Giving. I Cor. 16:2
Partaking of the Lord’s Supper. Acts 20:7

21. But we should not bind OUR traditions.

22. Heb. 13: 17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

23. Other considerations binding where God has not bound.

24. Conclusion:
Obey from the heart.
Learn God’s commandments and keep them.
Remembering we are saved by God’s grace.