I am a legalist-I make no apology for it, even though theological sociologist call me a Pharisee, I believe that Jesus said: “this you should have done and not to have left the others undone.” The precision which originated the Bible should be treated with reverential fear. It was the Almighty sovereign God who gave it! Matthew 23:23 Christ quarrel with the Pharisees was because of their hypocrisy of God’s rules being bound on all but self and eviscerating the heart-the spirit-of the law in order to circumvent God’s intent and giving their ideas, validity. The Pharisees corollary evil was in presuming to be God, by binding rank opinions, not implications of Scripture, as law and gospel , more strongly than, the spiritual revelations. Their error was not in being doctrinally pure but in evading the law and so trying to mock God, the author of it!
When it comes to the word of God I am narrow-minded. It seems to me that I recall Jesus use of the word narrow in Matthew 7:14, when He said: “strait is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it.” I don’t know how you can be so open-minded or broad-minded and travel on a narrow path!! That seems to me like an oxymoron.
I am against libertines when they embellish or diminish God’s word. The taking of indecent liberties with the revealed will of the Almighty is sin!! I am militant about it! I believe it has to be according to a book, chapter, and verse- written by inspiration of the Holy Spirit or nothing at all! “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ” nor is it baggage too heavy for me to carry. I have defended it in many instances and seek every opportunity that is available to me to do the same again. I pride myself in being eager to defend the gospel of Christ and bristle when those Christian brothers and sisters who should be the greatest helpers getting me to heaven throw up a caution flag for me to stop, that tell me I should use good sense and caution, consider other’s feelings, and try to drag me into the “grace-only gutter” with them! I am not interested in traditional barnyard philosophies dressed up in Sunday- go- to meeting easter egg hunts, or birthday celebrations of Christ!!
I am disturbed with all my liberal brethren can forgive everybody they disagree with on every error they face when dealing with those doctrinal liberals, can fellowship with every false denominational preacher in town, and participate in any feel-good religious exercise-but cannot fellowship me! I’m the one that is supposed to be unforgiving, unloving, unaware of God’s grace, and mean-spirited. It seems to me if they can forgive the failings of all others besides me, why do their tender hearts judge none but me? 2 Corinthians 5:11 If I know my heart, I’m more willing to extend what mercy and forgiveness is mine to extend, if only a man will repent and purpose to follow the gospel of Christ, and it alone. After all, it is upon the grace and mercy of heaven that I rest my eternal hopes! Ephesians 2:8; 4:31.
I am a legalist-I do not try to blur the line between rule-making and rule-keeping. I do not try to pray on an unsuspecting audience to teach them something that I know the word of God does not instruct them to obey. I feel it is my responsibility at any at all times to “speak where the Bible speaks,” quote what the Holy Spirit has had written, and live by the standards set by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! I have no reason to follow a professor in a college, a desire to be well known, or keep my easy well-paying job just to make my situation in this life, comfortable!
I am a legalist-I do not allow the rapture, premillennialism, tongue speaking, nor the 1,000 year reign to go ignored. This is error!! I believe the Holy Spirit was right when He wrote through the apostle John: “if you bid them Godspeed, you are partakers of their evil deeds!
