…… but faith which worketh by love. (Gal 5:6)
We can deceive ourselves with regard to thinking we are free
without realizing that we are legalistic about shunning legalism. We can pick
the speck of legalism out of eyes but fail to see the plank in our own eye. We
can set rules and regulations as boundary conditions for our freedom, than the
Christian walk is no longer one that is having a pure conscience but about
avoiding and skirting around do’s and don’ts to avoid being labeled a legalist.
Similarly we can overemphasize faith to the extent that we injure
others and ourselves. ‘If you don’t receive answer to prayer than you fail in
the area of faith’ or ‘if you fail to live by certain standards of faith you
will not please God’ (short of saying you are not saved), when did the issue of
faith become so legalistic? Faith will certainly be an over emphasis if love is
lacking.
Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of
our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
(Jud 1:21)
Saved by faith and demonstrating the redeemed life through
love. Instead of desiring to be ‘my brother’s standard keeper’ we ought to ‘warn
them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient
toward all men’ (1 Th 5:14). Instead of lording over, we come along side in
humility. Instead of talking down, we encourage to build up. We know that
legalism has seeped into any fellowship when there is an overemphasis of faith,
but balanced with Christ’s cross bearing love faith the body becomes a powerful
testimony of salvation being worked in.
