On Legalism and Holiness

May 15

What is legalism and how do we spot it, especially in ourselves? Where is the line between legalism and a holy desire to be set apart from the world? Is my deodorant a sin? These are all questions we try (emphasis on the try) to answer in this week's discussion, tune in to find out...

Quotes and Source Articles

https://highpointealtoona.com/legalism-and-holiness-whats-the-difference/

“Genuine legalism is very easy to spot. One of the simplest ways to understand it is to consider who we’re giving praise and power to with a particular decision. Legalism is all about bringing glory to ourselves, often disguising it as doing it for “God’s glory” by showing how righteous, good, and obedient we are. Legalism puts us in the spotlight by wanting to show off to others, ourselves, or even God. It’s our desire to make our works noteworthy.

Simply put, legalism is the belief that we earn righteousness, especially salvation, by our good deeds. It’s also the misunderstanding that we have to prove ourselves, whether by doing something good or refusing to do something we think is wrong.

So holiness is a desire to be like God. It’s not about conjuring goodness and right behavior in ourselves in order to be better. That’s legalism. Instead, it’s about the work that the Holy Spirit does in those who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ.

The word “holy” itself carries the idea of being set apart from other things. It speaks to a devotion to good and perfect things – the things of God. God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all 100% devoted to what they know is true and perfect because it’s God Himself who defines what that is. As His people, we want to answer the call to “be holy as I am holy” by being in agreement with God.”

https://www.cfaith.com/index.php/blog/22-articles/christian-living/21298-the-difference-between-holiness-and-legalism

“Holiness is judging your self and legalism is judging others.”

Amish Documentaries
https://www.youtube.com/live/WILEmatSc4A?feature=share

https://youtu.be/ZYGO5dALWVE

Romanian resources we used:

The Romanian Pentecostal Church and the Work of the Holy Spirit in it

https://historia.ro/sectiune/general/biserica-penticostala-si-lucrarea-duhului-sfant-583255.html

History of Pentecostalism in Romania Forum at Institute of Pentecostal Theological Studies in Romania

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkc_LPKB9c0

https://www.youtube.com/live/WILEmatSc4A?feature=share

John Bevere’s Sermon about The Awe/Fear of God

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOluu4ZmWGU&t=5923s&ab_channel=JesusImage