Let My People Go

Written by Joyce C. Lock


If you have ever been judged by someone who looked at outward appearances, without first having made effort to see your heart, you are not alone.

The scribes and Pharisees sat in Moses' seat, while he tookrepparttar wrap (Mt. 32:2). There was no Christ in their message, for if righteousness could be obtained by followingrepparttar 126607 law, then Christ died in vain (Ga. 2:21).

One day, Moses calledrepparttar 126608 Lord "the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" (Lu. 20:3) and God called him torepparttar 126609 bush over it. God's response included something like this, "I don't think so. I am not dead!" (Mk. 12:27). Thus, Moses became a quick study in servingrepparttar 126610 living God (Ex. 3:4). We can also know this because Moses was like Jesus (Ac.3:20-22) and both Moses and Jesus received their instruction directly from God (Ex. 33:11, Jn. 6:69).

"Thou shalt not takerepparttar 126611 name ofrepparttar 126612 Lord thy God in vain; forrepparttar 126613 Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain," (Ex. 20:7). "Exceptrepparttar 126614 Lord buildrepparttar 126615 house, they labor in vain that build it: exceptrepparttar 126616 Lord keeprepparttar 126617 city,repparttar 126618 watchman waketh but in vain," (Ps. 127:1).

Moses, having learnedrepparttar 126619 spiritual application ofrepparttar 126620 law (Ro. 7:14, I Co. 2:13, I Ti. 1:8), became faithful in all his house; having stepped down from being 'in charge' to become God's servant (Lu. 16:13, He. 3:5). No doubt, Moses looks forward to hearing, "Well done."

Legalism

Written by Joyce C. Lock


Within Christian circles is knownrepparttar term 'legalism'. We know it when we see it, couldn't possibly be guilty of it, but know someone who is. When pressed to define it,repparttar 126606 bottom line answer is, "Not what we're doing."

What makes this word so unthinkable? We can confess to lies, cheating, stealing, adultery, gossiping, and more. But, no way could 'we' ever fall prey to legalism.

Perhaps, we need to feel superior to each other. Though, surely we're not claiming superiority overrepparttar 126607 great men of old!? The Apostle Paul had a terrible time overcoming legalism and was not too proud to admit it.

So, what is legalism? Any custom, routine, obligation, service, regulation, or deed performed to win God's acceptance and favor fits into that category. The Pharisees were great at it. Paul gave a simple definition. He called it 'confidence inrepparttar 126608 flesh' and 'having our own righteousness' (Ph. 3:4, 9); as if there is anything we could possibly do to measure up to God.

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