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| The meaning of this word has been turned over on it's head.
Most people think that legalism is trying too hard to be perfect or being a stickler for following the word of God too strictly.
It's portrayed as some awful abomination to be obedient to God and stand against things that are wrong.
In a song by Nichole Nordeman called "Be Real to Me" there is a lyric...
"Lay down the sword and put away the doctrine.
Love a little more, love a little more cause everybody's broken."
I think this makes God want to vomit.
Don't get me wrong, I believe first and formost that God is a God of love and peace. What I don't understand in this lyric is the word "doctrine", it needs to be clarified. Which doctrine are we talking about here? The doctrine of God or of men? The doctrine of God is clear in his word. The doctrine of man is of laws and is typically not in the word, but of conviction or principle. You should never put away the doctrine of God for any reason, ever. We need to have a heart like David in Psalm 119 where he meditates day and night on the Lord statutes and marvels at them. There is NOTHING bad about that.
Put away the sword? What about Jesus being a sword? What about the word of God being a two edged sword? It divides right from wrong. How can you ignore that?
Love a little more? I don't disagree, we should love more than we do...but not in the absence of God's truth. People are broken, because they don't have God's truth to make them whole. We should be patient with and love sinners and see them through their sin.
This lyric sounds like a chastisement to christians that they are too legalistic. When really the word legalism in the church today is used wrong. Anytime legalism is mentioned in the Bible it is always that people are trying to get as close to sin as they can without actually sinning. This is why Jesus said slandering is murder and lusting after another is adultery, because they were trying to get away with whatever they could without breaking a commandment. Doing right, even with wrong motives, is better than doing something wrong with lawyer-istic motives.
The real definition of Legalism: Using the word of God out of context to justify your sin.
We need to repent of our legalism and stop using it to make obedience to God look bad.
 katrina
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| Time for an update.
Things are crazy right now...
On one hand I feel like everything is falling into place...on the other I'm realizing how unstable it all is. The only stability I have is in Christ. I can trust him and I'm finally starting to get it.
Here are some things I've been learning...
- The only way to have peace is to trust God and be thankful for what you have. Currently, my job is driving me bonkers...but I thank God I have a job
- Our expectations of God aren't always right. We expect God to move immediately. God makes us wait...no matter how cruel you think it is...you would never grow if you didn't have to learn patience. You wouldn't have to trust God anymore. God would be reduced to your genie.
- Trust and obey...there's no other way to be happy in Jesus than to TRUST and OBEY
- Jesus is coming back...and those who LOVE his appearing will be saved (2 tim 4:8) It's time to be ready. It's not time to fear His return. We are betrothed to a King. We ought to be excited for His return. There's nothing to fear unless we're not ready. Perfect love casts out fear.
I've been tested alot in my personal life...and at some points I've failed, but I'm getting back up. I have issues with anger in case you didn't know. I have actually throw tantrums and throw things and I've even used bad language. I'm so ashamed of it, as I should be. But I believe in the blood of Christ. I know it has washed me clean and I have to walk out in it now.
I also have another thorn in my flesh. It's called gastro-esophagal reflux disorder. It's been a real challenge. Sometimes I can't eat or drink anything...even when I'm really hungry or thirsty. I usually eat less in one day than the average american would eat in one meal. It's really painful and annoying. But I'm glad I'm going through it in some ways...I've had to realize it's not my fault and I don't have to hate myself because I'm sick. My problem is actually a mechanical problem I've had since I was a kid. I've realized that I don't have to have control over everything in my life, therefore it's not my fault. I can however pray and believe for healing.
So...I'm still learning and growing as always. Hope you have enjoyed!
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| Here's an update on my life in case you were interested...
I moved two weeks ago for the 17th time! I'm so tired of moving. I'm hoping that the next move will be into a house and we will stay there forever, but if it isn't I'm not going to freak out. I'll just have to go with the flow. We moved into a much smaller and less extravagant apartment to save money so that I can go to school FINALLY!
With school I'm at a crossroads...In a previous post I mentioned going to school for dental hygiene...well now I think I may want to go to school to be an ultrasound technician. I'm really praying about both of these opportunities. Alot of people have asked me why I've given up my dream to teach...My answer is...
I haven't
I want to homeschool my kids in the future...and possibly other peoples children. I want to have a part time job also where I will be able to be a light outside of my own home.
As for when I have kids...that's a different story. Hopefully in about 4 or 5 years. Michael keeps asking me if we can have a baby...but if you knew him...you'd know he's just asking to be a sillyhead. I love him so much...sometimes i think i may have to have this smile surgically removed from my face because he makes me laugh all the time.
My husband is also a writer. He is writing the first story he plans to have published. This is definitely from the Lord and we're so excited about it. It'll probably be published in a year or two. I'll probably advertise for it on my xanga and myspace. My husband is definitely talented and very handsome. I am a very very lucky woman.
The Lord has been speaking to me alot about my thought life and I am currently reading Battlefield of the Mind. I've been able to identify certain feelings and lies swirling around in my head. I still have a long way to go, but I'm getting there. I thought I'd share that.
Well anyways...that's my life right now. Hope you enjoyed the update!
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| It seems that the pause button of my life is broken. I forgot how to stop thinking and relax. Lately, I've been struggling with insomnia and stress. All of it is caused by thinking too much. That might sound like a good thing, but when you think too much your thoughts become scattered and chaotic. I know how it happened and I'm responsible. At a really dark time in my life about 5 years ago I stopped listening to God, because I thought God hated me. Subconsciously I knew that if I could think about something all the time I could protect myself from God. Years later, I found out that God does love me and that I can be forgiven. But even at that point I didn't see how badly my thought life was still out of control. I'm just realizing it now. It's really bad now. It keeps me up at night...even fun thoughts disrupt my sleep. I can't spend time in the presence of God without wavering thoughts, It's affecting my job and even relationships. I'm worn out. My life is out of control. There's so much I have to fix, but I need to rest first. I'm going to need to start pausing my life so that I can think clearly, but it's a real struggle for me. Please pray for me. Thank you
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