Are You A Legalist? Take This One Question Quiz.

“The law of God is powerless to give us the strength to overcome sin. It is only able to convict us of our sin, as that is its purpose. Only the love and grace of God are powerful enough to cause lasting change in us.”   Tullian Tchividjian – Founder, Liberate, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Legalism is much easier to understand than some try to make it. They wind up being legalistic about even their definition of legalism. Legalism is simply when we believe the lie that anything we do or say or pray is what makes us acceptable to God, or believe the lie that we play any part other than the part of the sinner in the story of our own salvation, redemption and sanctification.

     It is God alone who calls - God alone who moves - God alone who saves. You want, "the peace that passes understanding?" Wrap your brain around that truth and you will find it waiting on the other side. Understanding legalism is critical though, as overcoming it creates in us a living faith that serves only because it loves - not compulsively out of some misguided sense of obligation to God. God does not need you or me. God loves you, chose you, and in His mercy, lets all His children play a part, walking out the path He has preordained. The best we can even offer Him is filthy rags (See Isaiah 64:6).

     Legalism is a system that makes your faith more about you than about God. The quiz is simple - If you believe that your actions are in any way what gain you favor or disfavor with God - then you are a legalist... and I'll bet deep down you couldn't say that your yoke is easy and your burden light. Legalism is just us exchanging one set of chains for another. God has SO much better in mind for us - not only in Heaven - but here on Earth today!