Legalism leads to deadly pathology in our walk with God. The following chart discusses some of these problems. See Walking in Victory, Chapter 7 for the commentary that goes along with each section.
| Area | Under Law | Under Grace |
|---|
| View of the law | - A set of detailed obligations that I must keep
- Rigid application of case law
| - The underlying principles of the law describe the ultimate goal toward which God is moving me: a loving life-style
|
|---|
| View of self | - I am regenerate, and therefore I am able to keep the law.
- The law helps me live for God.
| - I am regenerate, but I still can't keep the law, because of my "outer man."
- By relying on the Spirit, not the letter, I can gradually change.
|
|---|
| View of the Holy Spirit | - Little practical understanding of the Spirit's ministries
| - Depends on the Holy Spirit for all power, Motivation, and direction
|
|---|
| The "Key" to spiritual growth | - Self discipline
or - Special experiences
| - Knows self-effort is futile Romans 7:18
- Looks to a process, not to quick-fix experiences
|
|---|
| Approach to Scripture | - Relies on an inconsistent hermeneutic
- Unable to harmonize Jesus and the epistles
| - Is consistent, and is able to harmonize the gospels and epistles
|
|---|
| Mental focus | - My duty: to do what the rules require
| - Identification with Christ
- Personal relationship with God
- Loving others as a means of growth
|
|---|
| Reaction to failure | - Surprised and distressed
- Rationalizations, minimization, blame-shifting and self-recrimmination
- Vows to do better
| - Not surprised
- Confident of God's acceptance
- Return to active dependence
|
|---|
| Reaction to success | - Proud and intolerant of others
| - Humbly grateful
- Still able to empathize with those who fail
- Sees continued need for growth
|
|---|
| Eventual result | - External conformity, but increasing internal defeat and hypocrisy
- Growing cynicism and despair OR:
Self-righteous externalistic comparisons--self deception
| - Gradual transformation into a person with a measure of victory over sin and a spiritual mind-set
- A more loving person
|
|---|
