Holiness vs. Legalism: Drawing the Line? Part 2

by Melissa J | More from this Blogger

18 Apr 2007 02:22 AM

This is the second part of a 3 part series. In part 1 I shared my thoughts on the way we dress as Christians and the music we listen to in the name of Christ.

As stated in my last blog, I have a difficult time drawing the line between striving toward holiness and getting caught up in legalism. If you recall in the Bible, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees who were hypocrites (Matthew 23). They were focused on being self-righteous and following the Law losing sight of the purpose God had for initially establishing those laws. Needless to say, the Pharisees stood before Jesus and did not even recognize Him as the Son of God. I feel there are churches today that contain a similar spirit to the Pharisees, and churches today of the other extreme, who have gone so far off the mark they disregard what the New Testament instructs of us today.

I don't have everything figured out; I continue to seek Christ for how He'd have me be.

Here are some further thoughts I've had:

• Holidays and Celebrations: I've written a bit on the pagan roots of holidays. Since most Christians seem to celebrate holidays like Easter and Christmas either out of innocent fun or incorporating a Christian significance, is it really so bad? The more I studied the roots of holidays, the more I found roots for other things like symbols and hand gestures. I started to become overwhelmed wondering what on earth didn't derive from paganism!

  I think in trying to do the right thing, we can sway too far either direction if we're not careful. On one hand, we could avoid such celebrations out of what we believe to be righteous behavior, but in doing so do we miss the mark, the opportunity to incorporate the love of Jesus through it? Then on the other hand, do we celebrate and become so caught up in Christianizing the holiday or celebration that we entwine Christ with paganism?

• Friends and Associations: Where do we find proper balance here too? Recently I wrote a blog on adult peer pressure and a blog series on what the Bible says about good company. We're called to be salt and light but not to conform to the ways of this world. So it's important to find that balance, remain strong in our faith and grow toward God rather than away from Him.

In part 3 I will conclude my thoughts on these matters.

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