The "L" Pendulum

In Christianity, the pendulum swings one of two directions: Liberalism or Legalism.

God confronts both topics in the Bible, and He calls them both sin.

My personal definition of "Liberalism" would be anyone who likes Romans 6:1, but forgets about the following verses. I consider "Legalism" to be anyone who skims Galatians and takes 6:7-10 completely out of context.

Okay, so...Liberalism is easy to spot. They are the ones who say that all faiths are basically the same, but isn't God good? Let's just talk about His love and acceptance and forget about holiness and purity! They might even go so far as to say there is no such thing as sin; Jesus was a good man, but maybe not God; God cares more about your business succeeding than your heart condition; Fatherhood of God/ Brotherhood of man. They also might try to bring in other religious philosophies or what have you. The point is, Liberalism is easy to see.

Legalism, on the other hand, is much more subversive. Okay...so...there is obvious Legalism of, say, Buddhists who beat themselves up or Mormons who have a whole check list of things they need to get done before dying. The reason Christian Legalism is so hard to spot is because they use the Bible as a guilt forum rather than a grace forum. In this way, they can keep the congregation from asking questions that will potentially point out their flaws. Also, they re-word things: judgement becomes "discernment"; witnessing becomes "praying for the missionaries"; gossip becomes "concern". They criticize legalism in other faiths like Roman Catholics, but practically live like them.

Both of these groups are the focus of Jesus' and Paul's warnings and commands, but neither group seems to mind much.

Liberals enjoy their side of the fence. That's why they are there. They are willing to label themselves "Liberal." Of course they do not think they are sinning, b/c they don't believe in sin. "At least we aren't stuck up," is the thinking.

Legalists on the other hand, focus almost entirely on sin. There is a feeling of paranoia and everyone having to watch their step. Strangely, the Legalists will at once deny their Legalism simultaneously viewing it as a point of pride. I actually heard a preacher from the pulpit say once, "Well, if I'm a Legalist, then I'm proud to be a Legalist!" I'm like...'Great..so...you revel in sin, and yet you would condemn a gay pastor to the fires of hell. Perfect.'

Run like the wind. Neither of these churches boast in their God; they are proud of their sin.

The Great Commission

There are certain churches out there that don't like questions. It's rather humorous since the Bible completely promotes free-thinking. They will say, "You must agree with us, b/c if you question, you are threatening God." Let's not even discuss closed-mindedness right now. Let's focus on the more immediate question of: how can we even HOPE to threaten God? I mean, come on! It's ridiculous. They are so scared of everyone "falling away," and they take stuff like Hebrews 6 out of context. It's like...why do you even believe in God as Truth, if the slightest wind can blow you away? It doesn't speak much for faith at all...and it completely negates the concept of Truth.

Like...this is one I've heard all my life. The age-old line of questioning:

"Why did Jesus hang around with tax collectors and prostitutes?"

"B/c they were the only ones who were open, and the Jewish synagogue leaders in Jerusalem had rejected him."

"So...shouldn't we have a mission to those kinds of people if they are so open?"

"NO!!! ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!"

"Why not?"

"B/c of the danger of lust! And you could so easily fall into sin! And the appearance of evil!!!"

"But...aren't we supposed to follow Christ's example?"

"Yes!...but not in that way!"

"Why not?"

"B/c He was God! He could handle it!"

Okay, before I go another step, let me explain what I'm NOT saying, b/c I've just set myself up. I'm NOT saying that we should have our next Sunday School class at the nearest brothel. I don't know why I would be saying that anyway, b/c Jesus didn't go into strip clubs and adult content stores. However, He was friendly to those people. He even *gasp* went to their HOUSES! Yes, we are not to make ties with the world. But, there is a difference between being a close friend and being friendly.

Get out of your comfort zone and look up a youtube video or two about transamerica with an open heart rather than a wrinkled nose, or start a conversation with the Satanist at work about about the new dog he just bought. These people are searching! They desperately want love and so they look in all the wrong places!!!

They will never see the truth if all they see is hate. Of COURSE they know they are wrong! Their families turn on them. They lose close friends who are appalled at them. They can't walk anywhere without being stared at. You know what that does? It drives them farther in!!! Imagine what an impact we would have if, instead of preaching about staying away, we would actually do what Jesus and the apostles did and love them and talk to them and understand who they are as people.

Instead, we stay in our churches and sing our hymns and talk to our people. We crinkle up our noses at the mention of words like "gay." Like somehow we are being holy and making God happy b/c of our abstinence from a mass of people that He created in His own image.

You know...that argument just does not hold water at all. It's a stupid excuse, b/c actually we are scared of what other Christians will think. Okay...maybe it's not fear. Fear is a weakness, right? We aren't weak. No not us. So we call it "discernment". So...good for us b/c we had the fortitude to stay away from 'bad' people. Whoopti-doo...People need Jesus, and although some will stumble across Him without us, the majority probably will not. Do you realize how serious that is?

What? did the Great Commission say "All the world will go unto ye if they ever clean up their act and show up?" No. It's our responsibility--to ALL nations, it says. And besides, who are we that they should deign to darken our doors of their own accord?

The clock is ticking. Can we waste time waiting for people to come to us? Show the solidarity of a faith in Christ. A faith that can withstand temporary lusts. A faith that is more loving than a support group. A faith that is founded by truth, and a truth that is the essence of love.

Grace: The Narrow Way

Matthew 7:13-14

13Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (KJV)

If you are anything like me, you get the following picture in your head (especially with words like "leadeth" and "thereat"):

There are two roads. One is huge and red colored and dark and has multitudes of debased prostitutes, sodomites, liars, cheaters, and thieves almost dancing down it with evil grins on their faces till they suddenly fall off a cliff into a lake of fire and, at that point, their faces become horribly grotesque as they burn to a fiery crisp. Then you have a second road (usually shaped like a cross)--painfully thin--with a scant few saintly blond people all carrying their Bibles in white robes and pious expressions barely balanced--one foot in front of the other--up to a sun-like village far in the distance.

Okay, so...maybe it's just me.

Anyway, I was listening to a sermon on Hebrews the other week and the pastor was talking about the culture of Christ and the apostle's time period. He was pointing out that false teachers of the time were really pushing this idea of legalism. I began to think about the legalism of that day and then the legalism of today's religions.

And then I thought about the words "narrow way" again. Okay...now...i'm not saying I got some extra-biblical revelation...but...those words didn't seem to point to "goodies get heaven and badies get hell" anymore. Like,...I know that those who choose the "dark path" and never turn to Christ are really damning themselves to hell. I realize that. I also realize that those who choose Christ and to walk in His ways belong to Christ and will live with Him one day in heaven. I'm not contending that.

What I want to bring up for discussion is this point: Christianity is the only grace-based "religion" out there. Every other religion, faith, cult, movement...how do they solve ultimate questions? "Live to your potential." "Seek the divinity within." "Tap into the Life source." And then they give you a list of ways you can do that and feel good about yourself. Rules.

Now I know that it really seems like, of all the people on the planet, the ones not having any fun are the Christians, (Watch an episode of the Simpsons if you don't know what I'm talking about.) so...how can you say that Christianity doesn't have rules?

Okay, for one thing, most Christians try to have fun based on this crazy notion that you shouldn't hurt others or yourself when you have fun b/c we are all created in the image of God. They ask themselves the question, "Is my two seconds of fun going to cause years of consequences?...'Cause that's just not cool."

Now...if the Christian in question is being ridiculous in his list of "I shall not's" maybe that Christian is having a hard time understanding "grace". It's possible. Grace is hard to accept. Hold that thought.

I believe that these verses 13 and 14 are saying that grace is the narrow road and that works are the broad road. Why do I say this interpretation as opposed to the renaissance painting version of "whores go to hell and saints go to heaven"? B/c look at the following verse:

15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

And then it goes on to talk about how to spot a false teacher...

But what were the false prophets of the day (and today) teaching? Works. What was (and is) the Spirit teaching? Grace. The context of the verses have nothing to do with whoredome versus Christendom, actually.

Broad vs. Narrow.

But why are there only a few that find it? Okay...I think this should come as a warning to Christians especially. Especially in light of books like Galatians and Romans where Paul is SCREAMING his warnings about falling back into the legalism of the day. Especially in light of the entire Sermon on the Mount and verses 1-12 where Christ is teaching us exactly how to guard ourselves from our "Christian-y sins" of not judging and obeying the golden rule. Do those sins bring to mind whoredom and sodomy? Um. No. Context.

Our logic as humans says, "You give; you get. You put into; you get out. You are nice to me; I am nice to you." Christians fall into this trap all the time. How do I know? B/c I am a Christian and i fall into it. B/c my friends are Christians and they fall into it. "Few there be that find it" Grace? What's that? Grace is the most foreign concept imaginable to reward-hungry creatures such as we! No wonder the metaphor is a narrow road! We make it practically a tight-rope!

This may be an inaccurate picture, but...humor me for a second. I picture grace like this: God creates a nice sturdy bridge of grace across a wide road of destruction. Nothing fancy. Not huge, but plenty of room for us to walk across safely. No chance that we will fall off, in fact, b/c He is going to help us across. However, we see it and what do we do? "Oh, Sir, that bridge is just far too nice and my feet are dirty and besides, I don't deserve it, and I'm sure I'm keeping You from something important--You being God and all...Thank you very much, Sir, I really appreciate it, but....um...if it's all the same to you I'd much prefer walking on the railings instead."

Hey! Great idea! We're still headed in the same direction, right? And the plus side is, the trip won't be that easy, so we can still pat ourselves on the back once we get across! Yes!

The railing actually puts us one step closer to the road of destruction beneath which is where we end up when we don't accept grace.

Okay, it's not a perfect analogy, but...I am convinced grace and works makes more sense than debauchery vs. piety. Or at least it's an acceptable interpretation.