Welcome to another Thursday UNFILTERED blog post, the only blog that’s cooler than it appears.
Legalism was invented by pastors who don’t want to be woken up by a crisis call in the middle of the night.
In the hands of a leader, legalism is a tool of control.
I’ve spent considerable time discussing the different kinds of legalism in Insurgence: Reclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom. And it goes way beyond trying to work for salvation.
In my opinion, legalism affects most Christians today.
The gospel of the kingdom is antithetical to legalism as well as its ugly cousin, libertinism.
I’ve also addressed how legalism manifests itself in 8 Signs of a Modern-Day Pharisee.
In this article, I want to add a point that’s not in the book or article.
Whenever you hear a person react to a message, book, or article with these words ….
“If it’s NOT NECESSARY FOR SALVATION, then why preach or teach it?”
… you know you’re in the presence of a legalist.
To the legalistic mind, everything boils down to what’s necessary.
Here’s an example.
Gladys believes that unless a person is baptized in water, they are doomed to hell.
She reads an article that teaches the importance of water baptism without adding “Oh, by the way, water baptism is NECESSARY for salvation!”
Gladys is perplexed.
Why? Because in her mind, if one doesn’t preach or teach that baptism is necessary for salvation, why bother mentioning it?
Gladys is a legalist. So for her, the article is a waste of time.
Those who have been freed from legalism see many other motives and reasons for baptism – and countless other spiritual practices — that go beyond escaping hell.
How about?
Because it pleases the Lord.
Because it brings a person closer to God.
Because it cleanses the conscience.
Because it fulfills righteousness.
Because it witnesses to the lordship of Christ to humans and cosmic powers.
Because it aids in our transformation.
And a million other positive motives.
Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 10 do not compute to the legalistic mind:
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. (10:23-24)
Notice that Paul’s motivation in these words is focused on what’s beneficial and constructive. Not what’s necessary.
Here are more words from Paul that are difficult for the legalist mind to grasp:
Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted.
~ Titus 1:5
Legalism comes off the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It’s the human attempt to be good.
Most of the legalists I’ve met throughout my years aren’t happy people. This is because legalism is a joy thief.
Thankfully, there’s a cure for legalism.
This introductory message on Galatians in 3D is a start.
A recovering legalist,
fv
P.S. For the both of you who haven’t gotten your copy yet, here’s a new review of my most recent book. The review was written by Gary Thomas, author of Sacred Marriage. I was honored and humbled by it.
Hang On, Let Go: What to Do When Your Dreams are Shattered and Life is Falling Apart by Frank Viola is astonishingly good. The book is in another league altogether! The wisdom, spiritual application, and insight is breathtaking. Why this book isn’t at the top of the bestseller lists for 2021 is beyond me. If you are frustrated about how life is treating you, this will be balm to your soul and strengthen your mind.
If someone wanted to change your life and zealously forced this blog post on you, you can appease them and subscribe here. It’s gratis and comes with a dozen Super Fire Hot Wings … the kind you can only eat after you sign a set of release forms. (No lemon suckers please. They won’t understand the humor.)
Christian Stuff That’s Not Boring
Books for Abnormal People – all the published books on one page. These are for “abnormal” people who don’t think like the masses.
The Deeper Christian Life Network – the network equips and connects serious followers of Jesus from all over the world who have embraced the gospel of the kingdom (i.e., the Insurgence). Contains the exclusive Master Classes, Monthly Q & A, Scriptural Game-Changers, Inside Peeks, Prayer Requests, etc.
The Insurgence Podcast – conversations about the explosive gospel of the kingdom. Gratis.
The Christ is All Podcast – over 145 episodes. A new episode drops every other Tuesday. Gratis.
Surviving Your Storm – this new audio course supplements the recent book release Hang On, Let Go: What to Do When Your Dreams Are Shattered and Life Is Falling Apart. The course is highly practical.
How to Live by the Indwelling Life of Christ – this premium discipleship course trains you on how to practically live by the life of Christ, making Galatians 2:20 a walking reality.
Complete Article Archive – over 1,000 blog posts. Just scroll down. Articles move from most recent to least recent. Gratis.
The Deeper Journey YouTube Channel – contains many different playlists. Gratis.
Is the Church a Whore?
I think somewhere Paul said that he might be or one of his co workers might be helpers of their joy. In other words to help the believers enjoy Christ more. This could pertain to knowing Christ better as he quotes in Phil 3: ” that I might know Him” … there must be something exceeding more valuable than anything else. I think this is the best deliverance from legalism: to be enamored with Jesus.
Great article. I never saw that verse in Titus. I assume it means that if a person’s heart is pure, they won’t find evil in everything like a legalist does but because their hearts are pure they don’t condone evil things that are clearly unscriptural. Is that right?
Bingo!
I think that we forget or maybe never realized that the tree of the knowledge of good and evil actually expresses two kinds of knowledge, and neither one was meant for us to eat. The tree of life is for us today as it was then.
“Legalism was invented by pastors who don’t want to be woken up by a crisis call in the middle of the night.”
Great line and excellent article Frank.
Spot on! I never thought about this before it’s a new perspective, but I can see how true it is. The scriptures you quoted were really interesting. Never saw them before like that. Thank you!
Nailed it! This was really great.
Outstanding article! I just heard the Galatians message, WOW. I’m getting the master class, I want to hear the whole series. I agree that most christians today are legalistic in some way. thank you for these articles and your books.