Grace Robbery

One of the biggest tools is a sin in itself, gossip. People who gather in remote corners of the church hallways, and flapping their jaws about something that they usually know nothing about. There is nothing more destructive to a local church or the reputation of a child of God than a gossip.

 

The Apostle Paul gives believers the solution to this:

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.

Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Galatians 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Galatians 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

 

I think my grace robbers and my joy robbers are the same guys. I wonder, do they look like the Hamburglar?

 

Praise the Lord for His blessed Word. The key is to "walk in the Spirit" and be "led by the Spirit". I like Romans 8:1 also:

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

I was involved in a Messianic Jewish congregation many years ago---was there for almost 10 years...talk about Pharisees...it sure was there...legalistic Judaizers (like in Galatians 2). Most of those attending those congregations are "wannabee" Gentiles and Pharisees (Jewish believers) putting those "wannabees" back under the "yoke of the Law". Galatianism/legalism is still alive and well.

 

You mean preachers and teachers?

 

IMHO, those described in the opening post go even beyond those described in Galatians. The legalists in Galatians were trying to bring Christians under bondage to the OT law (and there are still many of those around today). Those mentioned in the OP are trying to bring Christians under bondage to their own traditions and/or personal likes/dislikes, without Scriptural support.

 

Wow! Such liberal!! you didn't even get thou shalt not smoke cigars!

 

No, just the Diotrophes wannabes, and similar types already mentioned on the thread.

There is not one verse of Scripture that tells us to do anything like some of the things mentioned on this thread, such as those mentioned in the OP of C4K, the 15 dos and dont's slisted by sag38 in post #8, and the points made by RustySword in post #29, where he, BTW, has given an answer that is better than I can give.

C4K has also given some good examples of the tactics used by the "Grace Robbers" in Post #21.

Ed

 

Right on! Because there is still legitimate debate on OT law. I do believe we are still under SOME OT law. It is still sin to murder, commit adultery etc.
Playing cards and going to movies is totally legalistic.

 

EXACTLY!!

And, welcome to the Baptist Board! :wavey:

Keep up this good analysis, and the rust will soon be gone from your Sword!

Ed

 

Amen. It is those who decide for everyone else what the Spirit is or is not leading that are the problem. And, no, Aaron, we're not just talking about teachers and preachers. We are talking about legaists and Pharisees.

"Oh, a Christain would never..."
"Well, in MY church..."
"That [insert whatever offending music/dress style or bible translation] is completely of the world..."

I am under grace, and I answer to God for my actions and words, not anyone else. I, too, am tired of being robbed of the grace that God has given us.

 

Ohhhh. Okay. For a second it sounded like you all didn't think you needed to be taught anything, or that anyone who might say something you allow is wrong according to their reading of the Scriptures is a legalist.

Glad to hear of your humility.

 

Christ and other Scripture-writers I can handle. Those who attempt to stand in their stead I cannot.

If I wished for "Scripture + Tradition," I would have been Catholic.

 

On balance, I'd say the people condemned by this thread do not vilify their brothers with the same vitriol displayed by their accusers.

Furthermore, I am not acquainted with any collection of standards which the purveyors do not base directly on biblical principles. I may differ with their interpretations, but their method seems fully justifiable.

If one seeks to please God, he is forced to interpret and apply the Scriptures. He cannot look up to God and say "You didn't mention casinos, so I'm doing whatever I feel like doing." Instead, he has to search the Scriptures, seek for understanding, crucify self-will, and try to err on the safe side. He does all of this out of reverence for his creator and savior.

Arriving at his convictions, he is willing to instruct and admonish others who will listen. When convinced that another's choices are grieving a holy God, he has to decide if and when to break or limit fellowship.

None of this requires meanness. Mean people are just mean, whether they are conservative or liberal in their standards.

 

And there's more than enough being leveled in the opposite direction, in addition to the gentlemanly objections offered by others. Around here, I think I see less vitriol from the alleged legalists than from their judges.

I don't, myself. I put that in for those who do. If you cannot discern God's mind precisely on an issue, you choose a position safer than you think you might get away with--if you love God, that is.

How much can I look at other women without hurting my wife? Wrong question. Because I love her and don't want to hurt her at all, I keep myself from all actions which might make her wonder about my thoughts. This logic regarding standards is all but forgotten by this grace-awakened generation.

Me, too. But I think that "standards" are just as legitimate a topic of debate as is, say, theology. Although I have arrived at the correct positions regarding theology, I can hardly find it proper to rip into those who mistakenly tell me that I am wrong. Likewise with standards.