grace & mercy

I just want to start by saying that I am not and will never claim to be a theologian.

I will say that I have a personal, intimate relationship with my Lord & Savior.

What I just want to say is I am exhausted by legalism.

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I am sure I could go on & on here about it, but that isn't necessary.

I simply want to share some thoughts, quotes and verses.

I do not claim that I never fall in any of these categories, I was born with a sinful nature.

What I will say again, is that I am exhausted by it.

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 Legalism [in Christian theology] can be defined:

"sometimes-pejorative term referring to

 an over-emphasis on discipline of conduct

or legal ideas, 

usually implying an allegation of misguided rigour, 

pride, 

superficiality, 

the neglect of mercy, 

and ignorance of the grace of God 

or emphasizing the letter of law over the spirit. 

Legalism is alleged against any view that obedience to law, 

not faith in God's grace, 

is the pre-eminent principle of redemption. "

...

In the bible these were known as the

Pharisees

Sadducees

Scribes

Judaizers

They completely missed the concept of grace.

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Ephesians 2: 1-10

"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins

in which you once walked,

following the course of this world,

following the prince of the power of the air [Satan],

the spirit that is not at work in the sons of disobedience -

among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh,

carrying out the desires of the body and the mind,

and were by nature children of wrath,

like the rest of mankind.

But God, 

being rich in mercy,

because of the great love with which he loved us,

even when we were dead in our trespasses,

made us alive together with Christ

-by grace you have been saved -

and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

So that in the coming ages he might show the

 immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 

For by grace you have been saved through faith.

And this is not your own doing;

it is the gift of God,

not a result of works,

so that no one may boast.

For we are his workmanship, 

created in Christ Jesus for good works,

which God prepared beforehand,

that we should walk in them."

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C. S. Lewis has a helpful quote below on a temptation I think all of us struggle with—mandating rules for others on areas that are not mandated in Scripture. In context Lewis is discussing teetotalism in particular, but it has wider application:

“One of the marks of a certain type of bad man is that he cannot give up a thing himself without wanting every one else to give it up.

That is not the Christian way. An individual Christian may see fit to give up all sorts of things for special reasons—marriage, or meat, or beer, or the cinema; but the moment he starts saying the things are bad in themselves, or looking down his nose at other people who do use them, he has taken the wrong turning.”

—Mere Christianity, pp. 78-79.

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So what is there left to say at this hour of the night.

The God of the universe is the God of love.

He is also a God of wrath.

He mercies are new every morning.

He is a God of forgiveness.

His grace showers over us.

...

"The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly,

along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance:

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners

-of whom I am the worst.

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me,

the worst of sinners,

Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example 

for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.

Now to the King eternal,

immortal, 

invisible,

the only God,

be honor and glory for ever and ever.

Amen."

1 Timothy 1:14-16

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