shmegalism

The strictest adherence to the law is never legalism, if your motive is right.

- Don Whitney

I love this quote.

Sometimes I notice myself smudging the lines of things I know are black and white in order to not fall into "legalism." When in reality, it's an excuse to not follow a principle that is difficult to follow in that moment. Or maybe it will make me look a certain way in front of people. Or I think, "Oh my motive in following that rule is to impress (insert important person) so I better do what I want because I don't want to do anything out of pride." Who am I trying to fool? Why don't we just put our hearts in the right place, then do what we know God has asked of us? Isn't that the power of grace? Titus 2:11-14 says,

"For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."

Let's just see how powerful this grace can be.