“If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, “Do not handle, do not taste, and do not touch!” (Which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence” (Colossians 2:20-23).
Religion teaches self-denial, denying self is a mechanism to achieve a higher relationship. However we need to know the difference between a biblical self-denial and false self-denial. False religion teaches an abasement of self or a denying of self for self promotion, not the denying of self that the Bible teaches. Denying self is a response to love, not a way to obtain salvation, righteousness, or position. Because He first loved I love and follow Him. Most always a false self-denial is characterized by a worldly sorrow and/or following rules above relationship.
Legalism is basically following rules without relationship, commandments before love, self before God, it promotes false self-denial. It teaches one to hide sin. Transparency would be a vulnerability to legalism; something to be used against. Legalism focuses on the external; it teaches one to become like the Pharisees who Jesus warned against, “hypocrites! for you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness” (Matthew 23:27). Do as they say, not as they do, Jesus said of them.
Legalism crucified Jesus, even Pilate a Roman saw the innocence of Jesus, he washed his hands trying to avoid the guilt of shedding innocent blood as per Jewish law (Deuteronomy 21:1-9). Many laws were broken by the Sanhedrin to crucify Jesus, another sign of legalism, hypocrisy. During His ministry Jesus was accused of breaking many laws; the law of the Sabbath, blasphemy, of being a drunkard and a glutton, his disciples not washing hands before eating, hanging out with tax collectors and sinners... The many signs and wonders were not observed by the legalists, only the laws, rules, and traditions of men He broke.
We are told to avoid sin and to run from any hint of it, however we need to be careful of what we run to. “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men” (1 Timothy 4:7-10). Run to Jesus, His love is unconditional and He will never leave nor forsake you.
Religion teaches self-denial, denying self is a mechanism to achieve a higher relationship. However we need to know the difference between a biblical self-denial and false self-denial. False religion teaches an abasement of self or a denying of self for self promotion, not the denying of self that the Bible teaches. Denying self is a response to love, not a way to obtain salvation, righteousness, or position. Because He first loved I love and follow Him. Most always a false self-denial is characterized by a worldly sorrow and/or following rules above relationship. Legalism is basically following rules without relationship, commandments before love, self before God, it promotes false self-denial. It teaches one to hide sin. Transparency would be a vulnerability to legalism; something to be used against. Legalism focuses on the external; it teaches one to become like the Pharisees who Jesus warned against, “hypocrites! for you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness” (Matthew 23:27). Do as they say, not as they do, Jesus said of them.
Legalism crucified Jesus, even Pilate a Roman saw the innocence of Jesus, he washed his hands trying to avoid the guilt of shedding innocent blood as per Jewish law (Deuteronomy 21:1-9). Many laws were broken by the Sanhedrin to crucify Jesus, another sign of legalism, hypocrisy. During His ministry Jesus was accused of breaking many laws; the law of the Sabbath, blasphemy, of being a drunkard and a glutton, his disciples not washing hands before eating, hanging out with tax collectors and sinners... The many signs and wonders were not observed by the legalists, only the laws, rules, and traditions of men He broke.
We are told to avoid sin and to run from any hint of it, however we need to be careful of what we run to. “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men” (1 Timothy 4:7-10). Run to Jesus, His love is unconditional and He will never leave nor forsake you.