"...you might be a legalist"
From:  Trent_Fuller (TrentFuller)    4/9/2002 8:36 am  
To:  ALL    
 
  365.1  
 
"...you might be a legalist"

The comedian, Jeff Foxworthy, has gained worldwide fame for his "...you might be a redneck" jokes. Here is a take-off on his routine, referring instead to "...you might be a legalist."

If you think the 10 commandments are still authoritative for Christians today...then you might be a legalist.

If you think that abstinence is a virtue...then you might be a legalist.

If you think that what our country needs is better moral values...then you might be a legalist.

If you've ever thought that God's Law should be imposed upon Americans as the law of the land...then you might be a legalist.

If you think the Law represents God...then you might be a legalist.

If you think that God's Law can effect right living...then you might be a legalist.

If you think that socially-imposed conformity to ethical rules is valuable...then you might be a legalist.

If you think that a man can keep God's principles and precepts...then you might be a legalist.

If you think that its only right that everyone gets what he works for...then you might be a legalist.

If you think that there is a right answer and right action for every circumstance (if you could just take the time to figure it out)...then you might be a legalist.

If you think that obedience is doing what the rules indicate...then you might be a legalist.

If you think that what people think about you is important...then you might be a legalist.

If you think that most people just don't measure up...then you might be a legalist.

If you feel frustrated and defeated in that you just don't seem to be able to do it all right and perfect...then you might be a legalist.

If you are burdened by self-condemnation for your failures in life...then you might be a legalist.

If you're afraid that people will get out of hand if there aren't clear-cut rules...then you might be a legalist.

If you believe that the King James Version is the only real Bible...then you might be a legalist.

If you feel guilty for not coming to church services every Sunday...then you might be a legalist.

If you've ever felt guilty for only putting $1 in the offering plate on Sunday...then you might be a legalist.

If you think that tithing is the standard for Christian giving...then you might be a legalist.

If you've ever felt naughty or sinful for playing a game of cards or rolling some dice...then you might be a legalist.

If you've ever felt guilty for driving up in a new car, or buying a new dress, or even a new home...then you might be a legalist.

If you've every worried about what others were going to think about your new hair-do...then you might be a legalist.

If you've every thought that you can tell a person's spirituality by the way they look and how they dress (their swimsuit, leotard, skirt length, etc.)...then you might be a legalist.

If you've ever tried to impose your perspective of modesty on another...then you might be a legalist.

If you men have ever felt condemned for having taken a second look at a beautiful woman (in a short skirt)...then you might be a legalist.

If you think that Christians shouldn't practice birth control...then you might be a legalist.

If you've ever taken off jewelry or wiped off make-up to capitulate to another's religious scruples...then you might be a legalist.

If you've ever hidden your TV in the closet to conceal it from another legalist...then you might be a legalist.

If you've ever judged another by the length or color of their hair, or the number or placement of their earrings or tattoos ...then you might be a legalist.

If you've ever looked down upon another for their living arrangements...then you might be a legalist.

If you've ever thought that divorced people have somehow forfeited their right to spiritual honor and leadership...then you might be a legalist.

If you've thought that the way your kids turn out would be the basis of your evaluation as a Christian parent...then you might be a legalist.

If you've ever felt superior to, or looked down on, or were prejudiced about people of other races, or condemned interracial marriage...then you might be a legalist.

If you've every felt out of place in the video store wondering who might walk in and what they might think...then you might be a legalist.

If you've ever been concerned that someone might see you having a glass of wine (or even a beer) with your dinner...then you might be a legalist.

If you think that people who smoke tobacco are disgusting and sinful...then you might be a legalist.

If you've ever told your kids not to do something because other Christians might see them do it, and it would impinge upon your reputation..then you might be a legalist.

If you've looked down your nose at those in more liberal denominations...then you might be a legalist.

If you've every thought yourself pretty tight and right with God because of your correct doctrine and moral behavior...then you might be a legalist.

If you've ever thought that to associate with those who think different than you is sinful compromizing...then you might be a legalist.

If you've ever thought that those who don't believe in "once saved, always saved" are unorthodox heretics...then you might be a legalist.

If you think that baptism by immersion under water is the only way to be right with God...then you might be a legalist.

If you've ever thought that those who don't believe in a pre-tribulation, premillennial second coming of Jesus are misguided heretics...then you might be a legalist.

If you get all excited about prophetic speculations about the future...then you might be a legalist.

If you think that the visible expression of spiritual gifts is evidence of one's spirituality...then you might be a legalist.

If you have ever thought that God would be more pleased with you if you were willing to go to Africa as a missionary...then you might be a legalist.

If you've ever tried to cover up your flaws, and represent yourself as something you aren't...then you might be a legalist.

If some of these exposes make you uncomfortable, raise your dander a little, or cause you take offense...then you might be a legalist.

If you want to challenge and debate some of these issues...then you might be a legalist...cause legalists love to fight and feud.

If some of these have hit you right where it hurts...then you might be a legalist...

BUT aren't we all, to some degree?

With love from above,

  - host of: The Life
 What we have here is a failure to EXcommunicate! 

And visit: Our Life In Christ - Got grace?
 
From:  David (DavidABrown)    4/9/2002 4:35 pm  
To:  ALL   (2 of 4)  
 
  365.2 in reply to 365.1  
 
Hi Trent,

 

Great post and it is an Excellent topic starter.

 

I had pegged about 7 or 8 legelistic hits and took a couple of exceptions to some or what is called Legelistic and one Major Exception which I will gladly discuss just to see what others opinions are.

 

Romans 6:15,16 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey;  whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

 

My major disagreement is with the notion that a Christian man can lustfully look at a woman and that it is not sin. Lust  Sexual sins are in their own special class in the Bible because they defile both people AND not just the one individual. So if men are looking at women, renting provocative movies, and looking at smut on the internet it is Sin and not Grace.

 

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth  against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God  in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

 

And again the article made several very good points.

 

Thanks

God Bless You,

David



David A. Brown
Basic Christian: Forum
 
  
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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    4/9/2002 4:43 pm  
To:  Trent_Fuller (TrentFuller)    (3 of 4)  
 
  365.3 in reply to 365.2  
 
Note:

The above post was ment to be addressed to Trent.

David



David A. Brown
Basic Christian: Forum
 
  
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   From:  Trent_Fuller (TrentFuller)    4/9/2002 5:00 pm  
To:  David (DavidABrown)    (4 of 4)  
 
  365.4 in reply to 365.2  
 
David,

<<<Great post and it is an Excellent topic starter.>>>

Thanks,  I hope that we discuss it.

<<<I had pegged about 7 or 8 legelistic hits and took a couple of exceptions to some or what is called Legelistic and one Major Exception which I will gladly discuss just to see what others opinions are.>>>

I did not follow that sentence.  Can you re-state it?  Sorry.

<<<My major disagreement is with the notion that a Christian man can lustfully look at a woman and that it is not sin.>>>

Yeah, that is correct.  It is sin, and the wages are death, but the gift of God is eternal life.  Same goes for any secret sin.  -Or public sin for that matter.

<<<Sexual sins are in their own special class in the Bible because they defile both people AND not just the one individual.>>>

If I lust at a woman did I defile her?  I guess I am confused, but that is what you seem to be saying.

<<<So if men are looking at women, renting provocative movies, and looking at smut on the internet it is Sin and not Grace.>>>

The grace of God teaches us to say no to ungodliness.  Titus 2:11-13

I am not sure that I addressed your points, so please follow up, OK?

With love from above,

  - host of: The Life
 What we have here is a failure to EXcommunicate! 

And visit: Our Life In Christ - Got grace?
 
  
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