Beware of the Legalist
Colossians 2:11-23
As we continue our Sunday morning tour of the book of Colossians we have to remember where we are and what the theme is. Last week we learned that philosophy or better said knowledge apart from Christ is empty. Andy teaching that takes away or adds to the teaching of Jesus cheats mankind because the them of the book is Jesus must be #1.
We also learned last week that chapter 2 begins the 3 boulders that will shipwreck a person’s faith. Last week Philosophy, this week Legalism and next week Lord willing Worldliness.
We should probably call these enemies of grace weeds because of legalism. Nothing can choke the heart and soul out of walking with God like legalism. Consider the story of Hans the tailor. Because of his reputation, an influential entrepreneur visiting the city ordered a tailor-made suit. But when he came to pick up his suit, the customer found that one sleeve twisted that way and the other this way; one shoulder bulged out and the other caved in. He pulled and struggled and finally, wrenched and contorted, he managed to make his body fit. As he returned home on the bus, another passenger noticed his odd appearance and asked if Hans the tailor had made the suit. Receiving an affirmative reply, the man remarked, "Amazing! I knew that Hans was a good tailor, but I had no idea he could make a suit fit so perfectly someone as deformed as you." Often that is just what some do in churches. They get some idea of what the Christian faith should look like: then they push and shove people into conforming until they fit into the mold of the legalist!!
This is spiritual death. Legalism is always divisive. It is false humility v.18 and 23 and puffs up or makes one arrogant v.18.
There must be a balance between truth and love in order to live free in the grace Jesus has provided. Look at this on the screen...
LOVE W/O TRUTH = LIBERALISM – DO WHAT YOU WANT WE WILL LOVE YOU AND SO WILL GOD! A LIE! TRUTH W/O LOVE = LEGALISM – DO WHAT WE SAY OR YOUR WRONG! A LIE!
In the church today there are both types of thinking. Without a balance of truth and love Grace is abused (liberalism) or excused (legalism).
Our Scripture text reinforces the truth that apart from Jesus’ death on the Cross mankind is spiritually dead v.11-13 and mankind must place their faith their trust in Christ.
Both a liberal and a legalist Christian would agree with that. But if you and I are to live free, walk in grace we must Beware of the trap of legalism. How do we do that? Notice two truths:
I. Stand Free in Christ (v.11-15)
This church was dealing with Oriental mysticism, astrology, the belief in many gods, philosophy and Judaism—the religion of the Jews. Paul deals with this concept of Judaism legalism with the topic of the day, circumcision. We all know what that is and to us it sounds a little silly but to be a Jewish convert they tried to mix Jewish law with Christianity. Legalism said that following Jewish law would help the Christian be more spiritual.
If I stood up today and said in order to be a true Christian thou must be circumcised—you would laugh at me. However, if I stood up today and said if you are really a Christian then you wouldn’t watch a particular TV show or you would come to church on Sunday night, some people would agree with me.
Legalism is always divisive and Jesus died to set us free.
If you have put your faith in Christ Jesus you have had a spiritual circumcision—our sins have been crucified by His flesh—His death on the Cross.
Notice what we are because of this.
A. We’re Alive (v.11-14)
A person without Jesus is dead in their sins. They have no power over sin and they are dead to the things of God.
You’ll notice the word raised in v.12 means to raise from the dead and to wake up. The word alive means to make alive together with Him. The only reason a Christian can be different from the world is Jesus living in us.
But notice further why we’re alive and Free! **v.13b-14**
How many sins Christian have been forgiven? ALL…
See a legalist doesn’t want a person to know that they are totally forgiven. If someone sins after they are a Christian depending on the severity of the sin according to a legalist they would say well they must not have been truly saved.
Notice v.14—Jesus took sin out of the way but we can still choose to sin. Jesus took the law out of the way but we can still be unloving and fail to give grace to another.
It’s really all about how we choose to live. You want to say shackled to your past, stumble through every pitfall, be critical toward others you can but Why?
Folks we’re alive—we’ve been raised from the dead this old flesh has been cut away sin has been removed the law has been cancelled Grace can abound why not walk in the truth of God’s love!!!
B. We’re Able (v.15)
Just as a legalist doesn’t want people to know ALL their sins are forgiven the enemy—Satan and his demons don’t want people to know that Jesus’ death on the cross grants us power over the enemy. Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,” I believe God is ABLE! To reach our community and advance His kingdom over the enemy.
I. Stand Free in Christ
II. Stand Firm in Christ (v.16-23)
Here’s a truth we need to get folks. Let no one judge you. Beguile (KJV) means act as an umpire or an official rule against you. What this is referring to is you and I need to be Bible people. The Word of God and the Lord Jesus is the judge of our lives.
Here Judaism said don’t eat certain foods and keep certain Old Testament festivals. That will make you a better Christian. Those things are a shadow that means they are an image a look a like with no substance they look spiritual but they are not life changing without Jesus.
A. Mankind’s Decision (v.16-21)
People who do things and say things that make them feel spiritually superior. Notice v.18 it’s a false humility. There are some who put up a false front but in their mind they are proud of what a wonderful Christian they are. They are so right everyone else is wrong.
V.19 says they are not holding fast to Jesus...loving Jesus and what He’s done for us really keeps us humble. What are these folks holding on to? V.20.
The context is why are we following a man’s opinion and not following Christ. If you and I really love Jesus we don’t really care if someone listens to our opinion or not.
Now man’s opinion can be varied and fluctuates freely. Let me illustrate.
Boys and earrings...boys and long hair those are decision’s people make. You have to decide what you think about that but its just our opinion.
Clothing just my opinion...that’s all this is. For a lady I think everything should be past mid-thigh, shirts should not reveal belly button piercing or winged tattoo...but that’s just my opinion. I think you shouldn’t wear a sweater or shirt so tight that you have to use a plunger to get your head out but that’s just my opinion.
Boys I think everyone one of us should be issued a belt when we’re 12 but that’s just my opinion.
The truth is we can have all sorts of opinions on clothing, appearance, work ethics, what kind of education a child should get, church life what we watch but all of us must make a decision for ourselves...Stand Firm.
B. Mankind’s Doctrine (v.22-23)
I’ve chosen a doctrine of man that many of you know a little about. I’m speaking to this because it is making a stand in our
Community and in our SBC. Calvinism…What is it?
Let me go on record and say I am not a Calvinist. I don’t have time today to preach to this completely that might be another day. But let me give the highlights. John Calvin is where Calvinism received it’s name. He lived in the 1500s. They believe in 5 points or what is called the TULIP.
What is “TULIP?”
“TULIP” simply spells the first letter of each point. There are 5 points--there are five letters in tulip. TULIP stands for:
T Total Depravity—this means man is unable to save himself and totally wicked without Jesus. I firmly agree with this point.
U Unconditional Election—Here Calvinists vary in opinion. I believe in the elect that God chose and knew who would be saved. But some would argue that election God’s sovereignty is so rigid that a person can call on Jesus and still not be saved. I disagree with that.
L Limited Atonement—this is the point I very strongly disagree with. They believe that Christ died only for the elect hence atonement payment for sin is limited. I believe the Bible teaches that Jesus died for the sins of the world.
I Irresistible Grace—here again it depends on the Calvinist on what they believe on this point. Some say that Grace is shown to the heart because God opens the heart for man to believe. I have no problem with that. But others say that man cannot resist God’s grace once its revealed. I’ve heard many a testimony of people running from God knowing they need to be saved.
P Perseverance of the Saints—means all who have been saved will be kept in Christ by God to the end. I completely agree with this.
The problem with any form of legalism is it can lead to pride. The problem I have with Calvinism is it has and is dividing churches. I believe this is a doctrine of man and it behaves just like every other doctrine of man in v.23. They have an appearance of wisdom...not real wisdom what they believe comes out of the Bible but not entirely. Self-imposed religion...man’s words not God’s Word. Legalism always divides.
It doesn’t bring people to Jesus and encourage the Saints it divides the church and harms the lives of many.
Conclusion:
In Charles Schultz’s cartoon, “Peanuts,” Lucy is seen saying that if she was in charge of the world, she’d change everything. Charlie says, “That wouldn’t be easy. Where would you start?” Lucy looks directly at him, and without hesitation, points her finger at him and says, “I’d start with you!” And so it is with the legalist. They live their lives pointing out what’s wrong with you and they forget how much God has forgiven them.
The truth be told we all have a little bit of legalism in us. If we allow ourselves to be filled with the flesh we can judge people quickly and harshly. We can create rules that we think others should live by.
But that is of no value to us or to the world. The world doesn’t need to see self-righteous people they need to see Jesus people. The world doesn’t need us to judge them they need us to stand for truth and to love them.
That’s the only way anyone can be free. May we not put others in the bondage of legalism. Beware of legalism in our lives.
PRAY
