I was saved at a young age, in a Loving, fellowship oriented baptist church in columbus Ohio. Sadly. when that pastor left. He was replaced with many pastors. many who were legalistic in nature.. I would go out on visitation with my Dad and some of the deacons. and I would hear them tell people how they had to stop their sins, if they wanted to get to heaven, That if they did certain sins they were satanic. All kinds of things.. its like a fear tactic to try to get people to repent.
When I left to go to the military. I felt free from the legalistic chains that so entangled me. Instead of loving God and seeking to serve others. I was free to serve myself. Sadly I did some prety bad things. I eventually was brought back to God. and served for many years. In that time, My church collapsed. and I found another one. and was thrown back into the legalistic mindset through them (same baptist denomination) there my wife at the time started seeing another man behind my back and she ended up kicking me out. Again, thanks to legalistic mindset, I left the church. My marriage was bad for years. but I stayed because of what God said. Fearing they were going to tell me to go back and be with my wife or end up in hell. I once again became a prodigal son. until 5 years later, at the end of my rope. after committing many sins, God again brought me to my knees and I returned. Only this time, I returned to a different non denominational church a great friend of mine, who I led to the lord many years before. took me to. I came more humble. I changed many of my beliefs because I found I put to much faith in my teachers and pastors that I did not really study to shew myself approved.. I just blindly followed.
I am still growing. I have a ways to go.
anyway, Because of my experience. I hope you see why I fight legalism so hard.. I have seen many people walk away, because instead of people comming alongside and discipling them, they judge them as either not loving God or not being saved.. I believe the church on one hand can get to far to the left. and not properly disciple a people and sin grows rampant. On the other hand, I see them not come along side and diciple but instead judge people.
Both are dangers of the american church as it is today..
When I left to go to the military. I felt free from the legalistic chains that so entangled me. Instead of loving God and seeking to serve others. I was free to serve myself. Sadly I did some prety bad things. I eventually was brought back to God. and served for many years. In that time, My church collapsed. and I found another one. and was thrown back into the legalistic mindset through them (same baptist denomination) there my wife at the time started seeing another man behind my back and she ended up kicking me out. Again, thanks to legalistic mindset, I left the church. My marriage was bad for years. but I stayed because of what God said. Fearing they were going to tell me to go back and be with my wife or end up in hell. I once again became a prodigal son. until 5 years later, at the end of my rope. after committing many sins, God again brought me to my knees and I returned. Only this time, I returned to a different non denominational church a great friend of mine, who I led to the lord many years before. took me to. I came more humble. I changed many of my beliefs because I found I put to much faith in my teachers and pastors that I did not really study to shew myself approved.. I just blindly followed.
I am still growing. I have a ways to go.
anyway, Because of my experience. I hope you see why I fight legalism so hard.. I have seen many people walk away, because instead of people comming alongside and discipling them, they judge them as either not loving God or not being saved.. I believe the church on one hand can get to far to the left. and not properly disciple a people and sin grows rampant. On the other hand, I see them not come along side and diciple but instead judge people.
Both are dangers of the american church as it is today..
I don't blame you for fighting against legalism if that were my story the word legalism alone would turn my stomach sour
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