I believe the lenghty discussion about alcohol shows that we need to clarify what our motive and attitude towards sin should be. I post this article in the hope that it would help us to understand our liberty and heart's purposes.
http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/38702-whats-the-difference-between-holiness-and-legalism
edited for clarity
Tragically, legalists””despite their best intentions””get things terribly wrong. First, they try to change a person from the outside in, whereas God deals with us from the inside out. Second, they fail to present a balanced picture of the Lord, putting too little stress on His mercy and too much emphasis on His wrath. Third, they do not point the struggling sinner (or believer) to the Lord’s supernatural empowerment, making holiness a matter of human effort alone. Finally, they add laws, standards, commandments, customs and traditions that are not found in the Word, making those things even more important than the biblical commandments themselves.
In contrast, true, scriptural holiness begins with the heart and flows from an encounter with God and His Word. It calls for repentance in response to the Lord’s gracious offer of salvation and it offers a way to be holy””the blood of Jesus and the Spirit of God. Biblical holiness is free, although it requires discipline and perseverance. For the legalist, nothing is free. Everything must be earned! That’s why legalism leads to bondage and holiness leads to liberty.
Thank you sister! The letter kills and the
Spirit gives life. The opposite of legalism
is license. We don't need more rules
to follow, we need a heart change. Our
love for the Lord will be proved out by
our obedience to Him.
Thank you sister! The letter kills and the
Spirit gives life. The opposite of legalism
is license. We don't need more rules
to follow, we need a heart change. Our
love for the Lord will be proved out by
our obedience to Him.
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