A Practical Tip for Growth
There are two real dangers in the spiritual life; laziness and legalism. On the one hand, grace tells us we are free. We see this in the teachings of Paul in Romans 6. He knew the "gospel of grace" he preached could be abused, but he preached it anyway because it's truth. But then argues against the idea that because of grace, people can do anything they want.
On the other hand, there's legalism, which I believe is an even greater sin. (I believe Jesus' teachings bear this out-- see Matthew 23 and John 8:1-11) Legalism judges others. Legalism makes us blind to our own shortcomings and seeks to be good enough by our own power. Legalism demands that others obey the rules we set up. We set up external markers of spirituality and if others don't live up to them, we look down on them.
So the trick for growth is to "be specific without being legalistic." So if I read something or hear something in a sermon that convicts me, I should determine a specific course of action--some kind of change I can make in my actions that will allow me to be more conformed to the image of Christ. But when I do, I shouldn't make that action a universal rule that everyone should follow or think I'll have to practice that discipline for the rest of my life. I may have to come back to it from time to time, but I can't make my practice of a particular discipline to be the measuring stick for my relationship with Christ.
Well, it was on my mind this morning while I was snowblowing my driveway (don't ask me why), so I just thought I'd share that quick tip.
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin, how can we live in it any longer?Paul understood our capacity to take advantage of freedom. We don't HAVE to do anything to earn God's approval, yet His desire for us is that we grow. Spiritual laziness says, "I don't have to do anything for God, so I won't." That's not God's desire.
On the other hand, there's legalism, which I believe is an even greater sin. (I believe Jesus' teachings bear this out-- see Matthew 23 and John 8:1-11) Legalism judges others. Legalism makes us blind to our own shortcomings and seeks to be good enough by our own power. Legalism demands that others obey the rules we set up. We set up external markers of spirituality and if others don't live up to them, we look down on them.
So the trick for growth is to "be specific without being legalistic." So if I read something or hear something in a sermon that convicts me, I should determine a specific course of action--some kind of change I can make in my actions that will allow me to be more conformed to the image of Christ. But when I do, I shouldn't make that action a universal rule that everyone should follow or think I'll have to practice that discipline for the rest of my life. I may have to come back to it from time to time, but I can't make my practice of a particular discipline to be the measuring stick for my relationship with Christ.
Well, it was on my mind this morning while I was snowblowing my driveway (don't ask me why), so I just thought I'd share that quick tip.
Labels: grace, growing, legalism, Romans 6, spiritual growth
posted by Kory at
9:04 AM
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