S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Christian ethics is well summarized by Colossians 3:1-6: "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your m...

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July 01 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

James Kraft Supporter 74 year old retired pipeline worker

We have to be very carefull here. We can take principles and add them gods word as law and make them binding on every one. Every church has a list of extra biblical rules they go by as dogma from Gods word. They make following these rules more important than Gods laws.

It waters down the Gospel and makes salvation something you have to do to earn your salvation. It steals grace from the heart and puts people in bondage. And even worse it leads people to hell believing that following the rules is what saves them. 

These things become idols in the church. Paul said that if any one puts you under the law let them be accursed. Those are pretty strong words. But, we have wolves in sheeps clothing come into the church teaching that you must follow these extra biblical rules inorder to be saved. It is leagalism to the inth degree. We are not under the law, we are under grace. We should show that grace to others. When we start adding our own laws to what the bible says we are playing God. We are saying we know better than God what is right. 

Jesus said, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees. It sneaks in the side door of the church unaware. It makes people think they are better than others by following more than what God requires of us. It leads to spiritual pride and selfrighteousness. 

And the Pharisee said in his heart. I thank you o God that I am not like those other sinners, I go to church 3 times a week, I tithe to the penny, I don't drink or smoke, go to movies or watch television. And Jesus said there would be prostitutes in heaven before them. 

Legalism is the death of salvation by grace. If you say you have no sin you are a lier and the truth is not in you.

July 28 2015 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report