Spiritual Legalism

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Have you ever heard the phrase "Let God bless you" or "Allow God's love in"?  How about being told you need to "Empty yourself so that God can..." or "Claim a blessing..."?  Sounds focused on God right?  It is suppose to.  The reality is it is actually focused on YOU and YOUR works.  This article will explain why this is nothing more than legalism with a 'spiritual' sound.  It goes to the heart of how we understand our selves and how we understand God himself.  First we need to correctly know God, and correctly understand ourselves in the light of truth.  Then we can see the legalism that is disguised in spiritualism.

What is 'Doctrine' and does it matter?

The word doctrine comes from a Latin word, doctrina, which means, “that which is taught.”  and it refers to the Christian teachings on Scripture, God, man, Christ, salvation, church, and the end of all things. Simply put, doctrines are organized teachings by their subjects.  The Doctrine of something is simply the organized explanation of what is taught about that something.  When it comes to Jesus, who Jesus is and what he did, is simply the doctrine of Christ.

Supernatural Positive Thinking

Life can get hard and people can be mean.  Does thinking positive and speaking positively have a supernatural effect on the negative world around us?  Does being positive only invite more positive things to occur?  Is there such a thing called "Law of Attraction"?  Where does all this positivism come from and what does history prove and God say about it?

Repentance

Repentance is an essential sign of genuine saving faith.  It is what is to be preached and what The Gospel Message compels true believers to do.  It can be faked and is avoided by health, wealth, happiness, and prosperity teachers.  There is a reason for this.  But what is IT (repentance) and why is it an essential element of faith?

Hyper-Grace theology

The amazing Grace of God is so amazing it changes lives for eternity.  Even the reformers stressed that we are saved by Grace Alone but does this amazing grace negate repentance and confession?  Wouldn't you want to live how-ever you wanted and not worry if it is sinful? The reality is that hyper-grace is nothing more than new age positivism and emotionalism disguised in churchy words that focuses on one subject of truth (Grace) while avoiding another (Obedience).  Thus it does not teach the truth of God in its entirety and just want man wants to hear and avoids what man does not want to hear. 

Negative Name Dropping and Calling Out

It has become common in American society to view name dropping and calling people out in regards to something negative as 'wrong' even a 'sin'.  The question(s) we dive into are:  Is it ever 'okay' (right and not a sin) to name dropping and calling people out?  If and when it is appropriate?  To come to the answers to these questions, we need to first look at Jesus Christ and his apostles.

Your Feelings Do Not Determine Truth

Ever had someone make you feel 'bad'?  Where they said something that seemed to be negative and made you mad or sad?  Because it seemed negative and made you mad or sad, does that make it wrong?  Is it sin to say things that seem to be negative?  Is it a sin to say things that make people mad or sad?  Do your feelings dictate what is good or bad?

These questions are key to be able to discern truth.  It is key for you to know yourself and see who you really are.