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
|
|---|
