What is legalism in organized religion?

Question

Bettermyself, what are you talking about? Please READ the question and try answering if you are interested in this topic. I am interested in everyone's response. So, just please keep on the topic.

Answer 1

The term "legalism" means a concentration on "the law." In fundamentalist christianity it would mean a lot of attention paid to what a person looks like (are their skirts too short? does the man have a "christian looking" haircut). Also, do they listen to rock music? Go to the wrong kinds of movies?

It's like...putting people under "the old testement law."

Answer 2

Legalism is the teaching that the salvation of a person is based on an assessment of his or her own works. Legalism is as damning to the souls of men as Hinduism, Mormonism, and atheism! A host of Scriptures tells us that the law cannot save us. The salvation that Jesus offers is a free gift that cannot be bought or earned.

"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin" (Rom. 3:20).

"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" (Gal. 2:16).

"Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. (Colossians 2:20--23)

Here's a word for you; ascetic. Webster's dictionary defines ascetic as "one who leads a live of strict self-denial. especially for religious purposes."

Centuries ago within the Christian church, priests & nuns would lock themselves away from the world. They would even endure much suffering under the pretense of drawing closer to God as well as a means of sanctification (to make free from sin, to make holy). Unfortunately, it never dealt with the sinfulness of the heart. Only our Lord Jesus Christ can transform the sinfulness of one's heart.

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9)

I challenge you, with respect to salvation, to examine why you do what you do. "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;" (Colossians 3:23)

Answer 3

My definition is "adding anything to Gods truth that Jesus died and
was bodily buried for three days and nights,born of a Virgin,and
raised from thee DEAD BODILY according to scripture"When you
receive this truth and depend on it ONLY you will be Born of God and GO to heaven guaranteed by the Blood of the Lamb.

Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Joh 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
In Christ in Love,
TJ57

Answer 4

God creates things perfect
People usually always manage to mess things up a bit

Go to the source (the world of God) and you can't go wrong

Answer 5

"Do you think I came to abolish the law?, no I came to fulfill the law. Not one letter of the law will disappear. Heaven and Earth shall pass away but, my word will never pass away"

Answer 6

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