'The Difference between Holiness and Legalism" by TRUTH ABLAZE, link follows

This is a beautifully written, simple statement of a truth often rejected.~Tammy~--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord

The above passage underscores the absolute importance of holiness. We are told that without it-we have no hope of one day spending eternity with the Lord. Sadly, many in today's churches (and pulpits) have come to scorn the word holiness as if it were a profane term. Isaiah pronounced a "woe" on those who would "call evil good, and good evil" (Isa 5:20). Those who strive and preach a message of holiness are often dubbed with derogatory terms such as "holy-roller", "holier-than-thou", or the favorite of "legalist." Now granted there are some who take the holiness message to an illogical extreme and who make their own pet doctrines. That's not the type of holiness that I'm trying to defend in this article. I am however, standing in defence of the biblical call (actually a mandate) for holiness!

In writing an article like this, it's only fair to show both sides of the coin. Let me first start by refuting those who attempt to proselyte others into their own little group or faction and calling it holiness. People often refer to me as a holiness preacher. To me, I find this to be a compliment. I take no offence at that charge. However, I do not want to be lumped with those who are merely relying on a private interpretation of holiness or elevated personal convictions as their basis for holiness. We all know those who rail against their pet peaves. Some preachers forbid (at least from the pulpit) their fellow church members from watching television, wearing cosmetics, or attending any form of entertainment. Now I do understand where they're coming from. Most who rail against these things do it out of a pure motivation. We know that in I John we are instructed to "love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.." To that extent I sympathize with them because I adopt the motto "better safe than sorry." A conservative approach to biblical application is always safer than a liberal one. The problem comes in when people equate personal conviction with holy scripture. Jesus warned the Pharisees about such a practice. Sometimes we can do something for so long that, if we're not careful, we'll begin to believe it's scriptural whether it is or not. Jesus told that group that because of their traditions they had made the word of God of "none effect." The tradtions of men have the ability to make the word of God of no effect. Often it is the result of personal convictions of godly men and women. Because these godly men and women practiced certain disciplines, the temptation is to believe they are for everyone. God deals with us on an individual basis. This is a personal walk. The motto of Christianity is one of relationship rather than religion.

Having said that-now let me address what the true definition of legalism is. Legalism is most truly defined (though not exhaustively) as an attempt at salvation by the keeping of law (primarily the Mosaic law). There are certain issues which fall under the umbrella of personal conviction. I think Romans chapter 14 is a classic example which deals with observance of certain holidays or feasts, and the eating or abstinence from certain foods/meats. These are what I would call non-essentials of the faith. They are not salvation issues. If someone feels like they should abstain from certain foods or observe certain days-then by all means they should. The scriptures declare "let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind." The problem comes when we demand strict adherence from others to something the bible doesn't demand of them. In the food example, Paul told Timothy (I Tim 4) that every food is good and nothing to be refused....it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. However we are warned in Romans 14 not to go against our conscience in these matters. Paul says "whatsoever is not of faith is sin"-the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats. (Romans 14:23 paraphrased).

There are however issues that are essential and are not matters of personal conviction. That's where we get into trouble. Some of us like to make "gray areas" of scripture, where they are not gray at all-but clearly defined. Paul often made statements like these, and they have caused confusion for many in theological circles. Let's take a look at some of them:

Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified

Galatians 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith

I'm going to stop there, but there are more verses that echo that same theme. Because we have these verses which champion the doctrine of justification by faith, some use them in a manner that Paul never intended. When Paul penned these words by the Holy Spirit, clearly the backdrop or context was that of the Mosaic Law. Keep in mind also that when we talk about the Mosaic law, we're not just talking about the 10 commandments, but all 613 of them. A pretty tall order indeed. We must also understand that the target audience of these verses, is a group of people who were struggling with the transition from law to grace. Many who had been converted to Christianity from Judaism were having a hard time breaking free from what they had always known. Both the Jews in Rome and among the churches of Galatia had strong sects who insisted that newly born-again Christians be circumsized. The heart of the gospel message of grace was at stake, and so therefore Paul wanted them to know there was no keeping of the law (circumcision was the pivotal issue) that would bring about salvation. No matter how good we try to be or how many of the laws we strive to keep-we would still fall short. Remember James says if we offend in just one point, we are guilty of breaking the whole law. Thank God for grace!

Some erroneously taught that grace was a license to sin in Paul's day, and there are groups within Christendom that do the same thing today. The error comes because we think in linear/mutually-exclusive terms sometimes. The conclusion that some draw is that since we are free from the Mosaic law we are therefore free to do anything we want. Nothing could be further from the truth. When the bible speaks of the freedom that we have in Christ, it isn't speaking about anti-nomial, lascivious freedom, but rather freedom to serve God. We abandoned the bondage and slavery of sin, so that we could be servants of Jesus Christ. Remember the word of God declares "you have been bought with a price...you are not your own." So this newfound freedom in Christ is not a freedom to follow sinful desires, but a freedom to love God and to love our brethren...and in so doing-we fulfill the law. What a beautiful picture. Because of the temptation to throw all self control out the window with the advent of the age of grace, these verses are in the bible to stop the tide of antinomialism.

Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

I Peter 2:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God

Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

So we see that freedom from the law is not freedom from holiness. There are no good works that we can do that will merit salvation for ourselves. Neither acts of charity, voluntary service, or self-denial are good enough to gain entrance into heaven. We must come by the blood of Christ. While it is true there is nothing we can do to earn salvation-it is equally true that there are things we can do to exclude ourselves from the kingdom of God. I know some people don't like this concept because it doesn't appeal to the flesh, but let's examine and see what saith the scriptures. If we're going to be judged by the word of God, then we need to know what it says. In the gospel of John we read that if everything was recorded that Jesus did, the world would not be able to contain the writings. With that in mind, I believe that everything in the canon of scripture is in there for a reason. We must always keep in mind the context and rightly divide the word of truth, but it is in there for a reason. Let's look at a few such passages (which by the way are written to the various churches ).

I Cor 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God
Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God
Ephesians 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience
So here we have a list of various sins that will absolutely bar a person from entering the kingdom of God. It's interesting that there are no free passes listed above. We don't read clauses like "unless this person is a Christian" because it just isn't there. No matter what a person professes to be or to know about God, if they are manifesting the sins above, they are outside of the kingdom of God. It's interesting to note the tone in which Paul penned these words. He made statements like "do you not know" "I have told you in time past", "let no man deceive you with vain words." I believe it is no different today. There are still wolves in sheeps clothing, devils posing as angels of light who proclaim an ear-tickling message for those with itching ears. Any offer of salvation void of holiness and repentance is no salvation at all. It is merely a cheap grace message which will not save.

The teaching that a person (i.e. a professing Christian) could be participating in these acts and yet still claim to be saved is alive and well. It is a blatant false teaching. Am I saying that it's impossible for a Christian to do any of those things? Absolutely not! There has no temptation taken us, but such as is common to man. At a moment of weakness we must always realize "let him that thinketh he stand-take heed lest he fall." But, we must not give in to that lifestyle. What should we do? It's simple....REPENT and get back where you need to be. Jesus told the church at Ephesus "repent and do the first works." Go back to where you failed and start again, asking God for His forgiveness and grace. He told us if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have no sin or that we have not sinned we are lying and deceiving ourselves. But to use grace as a license to excuse ourselves from holiness is a grave error. Every time someone gets a glimpse of the throne of God in the scriptures, we are met with these powerful words "Holy, Holy, Holy" and the message hasn't changed. God is holy, and he demands nothing less from His children.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service

Ephesians 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish

I Peter 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy

II Peter 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness

Rev 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still

Again, this is not a command to follow man's ideas about holiness, but the standards that God has outlined in His Word. Some say that legalism is the most dangerous weapon of the devil in the church today. I would argue exactly the opposite. I see very few people who are seeking to be justified by the law of Moses, but a huge group of people who are attempting to enter the strait and narrow way but somehow bypass the highway of holiness. Let God be true, and let every man be a liar if need be. What does the Word say? Let's look at it again and you decide for yourself.

Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord
God bless you as you study His Word!
http://www.truthablaze.com/legal.html