Views: 1<\/p>
[Note: \u00a0<\/strong>This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 3<\/strong> \u00a0page.]<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Many professed believers chafe at the restraints of Divine Law, as set forth in the New Testament. Those who thus pride themselves on being \u201cbroadminded\u201d (i.e., \u201cliberal\u201d) often hurl legalist<\/em> at those who emphasize the necessity of obedience to God\u2019s Word. The notorious scribes and Pharisees of Jesus\u2019 time are commonly depicted as \u201clegalists.\u201d If their behavior constitutes legalism, we should be quick to avoid it and even expose and rebuke it, as He so often did.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But just what is legalism? This term is not in the Bible, but Webster\u2019s New Collegiate Dictionary<\/em> defines it as \u201cstrict, literal, or excessive conformity to the law or to a religious or moral code.\u201d It seems fair to question the possibility of an \u201cexcessive conformity under consideration. How can one \u201cexcessively\u201d obey Holy Writ? Is not \u201cstrict, literal conformity\u201d exactly what the Lord Jesus requires of us if we would be saved? Consider a mere sampling of the plethora of passages that so indicate:<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0While Jesus often rebuked the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy, when did He ever rebuke them for their \u201cstrict, literal, or excessive conformity to God\u2019s law\u201d? Rather, He rebuked them for failing<\/strong> and\/or refusing<\/strong> to adhere to it. They elevated their own opinions and traditions to the level of Divine precept, thereby violating and voiding it (Mat. 15:3, 6\u20139). They chose which parts of God\u2019s law they would keep and which they would ignore (Mat. 23:23).<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Liberals, not legalists, are the modern scribes and Pharisees, adhering only to those parts of God\u2019s will that please them.<\/span><\/p>\n [Note:<\/strong> I wrote this article for and it appeared in the Denton Record-Chronicle, <\/em>Denton, TX November 23, 2012].<\/span><\/p>\n Attribution:<\/strong> From thescripturecache.com<\/em>; Dub McClish, owner and administrator<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Views: 1[Note: \u00a0This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 3 \u00a0page.] \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Many professed believers chafe at the restraints of Divine Law, as set forth in the New Testament. Those who thus pride themselves on being \u201cbroadminded\u201d (i.e., \u201cliberal\u201d) often…<\/p>\n\n