Bland, Predictable Religion
Yesterday at Cornerstone I shared a message about our freedom in Christ. In Galatians 5, Paul warns the church about two dangers, becoming enslaved to the law and becoming enslaved to sin. This morning, I wanted to share a quote from Max Lucado about legalism. I want to live with a vibrant relationship with Christ, not with a bland, predictable religion. What about you?
A legalist believes the supreme force behind salvation is you. If you look right, speak right, and belong to the right segment of the right group, you will be saved. The brunt of responsibility doesn’t lie within God; it lies within you. The result? The outside sparkles. The talk is good, and the step is true. But look closely! Listen carefully. Something is missing. What is it? Joy.
What’s there? Fear. (That you won’t do enough.) Arrogance. (That you have done enough.) Failure. (That you have made a mistake.) Legalism is slow torture, suffocation of the spirit, amputation of one’s dreams. Legalism is just enough religion to keep you, but not enough to nourish you. So you starve together. Your diet is rules and standards. No vitamins. No zest. just bland, predictable religion.
Max Lucado – from He Still Moves Stones
It's what I see all the time with my Catholic friends. sad story. But many more times than I like to admit, I end up in the same boat.