Bewitching Legalism

"Beware Bewitching Legalism"

“Externalism, legalism, Galatianism is alive and well, and attaches itself to Christianity like barnacles on a boat. Externalism, legalism is very much like a leech in that it sucks the very life blood of the essence of Christianity away from the body. Jesus Christ, the life giving power and source of the new life Christians can lead, is denied and devalued by legalism. Legalism and externalism are an attack upon the nature and Person of Christ because at best they are a devaluation of who and what Christ is, and at worst, they deny the very divinity and power of our Lord and Savior. Jesus Christ alone is the source of living water. He alone can take care of our spiritual hunger and thirst. Legalism takes the focus off of Jesus Christ, and deceives us into thinking that our obedience to traditions and laws, our righteousness which we can produce, (according to legalism) is important. To use one of Paul’s words: Legalism bewitches us and fools us. We wind up thinking that some ritual, some ceremony, some law is what provides eternal life and salvation.”