Legalism (Pans)
Sacra
(0
by Tyler Greene
’5)
o
If you would like
a response in the
next issue, please
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d>
send me
an E-mail at
greenebt@montreat. edu.
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Limit to approx.
100 words.
Legalism, as we have seen, is a
twisting of Christianity that tends
to quench true faith. We have
already looked at two types of
legalism: majoring in the minors,
and following man’s laws in the
place of God’s laws.
A third aspect of legalism is fol
lowing the letter of the law with
out following the spirit, or in other
words .only following the externals
of the law without having the
required attitude of the heart.
Jesus exposes this type of
legalism in Matthew 5:21-22.
In that passage, Jesus shows the
heart of the sixth commandment.
“You have heard that it was said
to those of old, ‘You shall not
murder; and whoever murders
will be liable to judgment.’ But
I say to you that everyone who
is angry with his brother will
be liable to judgment; whoever
“Blind Colors”
by Mandi Fields
My blind friend asked me what color is.
I wasn’t quite sure how to explain
Until the clouds moved above my head
1 told him blue is the color of rain.
Smell the flowers that bloom in May.
Feel the warmth of spring.
Know the joy in a child’s hug.
Hear the squeak of a playground swing.
This, dear friend, is yellow.
Smell the smoke from a blazing fire.
Feel the hatred of discrimination.
Know the story of the Crucifixion.
Hear the cries from an un-Godly nation,
This, dear friend, is red.
Smell the air of a frosty morning.
Feci the calmness that a snowfall brings.
Know the peace of a sleeping baby.
Flear the words that a church, choir sings.
This, dear friend, is white.
Smell the scent of freshly-cut grass.
Feel the Joy of Christmas morn.
Know the comfort of a friend’s voice.
Hear the shucks being peeled from the corn.
This, dear friend, is green, j
Smell the pollution in a crowded pity.
Feel the pain of a loved one’s death.
Know the fear of loneliness.
Hear the sound of a final breath.
This, dear friend, is black.
My blind friend thanked me with a smile.
Then, he turned and walked away.
He caught a few raindrops in his hand.
God added color to tlic'blind man’s day.
insults his brother will be liable
to the council; and whoever says,
‘You fool!’ will be liable to the ,
fire of hell.”
Again in Matthew 5:27-28,
Jesus shows the heart of the sev
enth commandment, “You have
heard that it was said, ‘You shall
not commit adultery.’ But 1 say
to you that everyone who looks
at a woman with lustful intent has
already committed adultery with
her in his heart.”
The scribes’ and Pharisees’
literal reading of these command
ments, did not cause them to feel
convicted, because they had not
literally killed anyone or partici
pated in extra-marital sex. This is
known as following the letter of
the law. In this way, they could
rest easy each night believing that
they had kept God’s law entirely,
and boast self-righteousness the
next day.
However, what Jesus requires
is much more than just the bare
letter of the law; he requires the
keeping of the spirit of the law.
The Pharisees read the sixth com
mandment and merely abstained
from murdering anyone. Jesus,
however, tells them that if they
have hated their brother then they
have broken the spirit of the com
mandment.
Keeping tlie commandments
required an attitude of loving your
neighbor as yourself Only then
would you have the proper atti
tude which would keep you from
murder, or from hating your neigh
bor for that matter. This is why
Jesus’ words are that much more
convicting for the Pharisees (and
you and me as well) tlran simply
reading the letter of the law.
The fallen human heart often
has this legalistic tendency to
only follow the letter of the law
of God when confronted with the
prescribed holiness it requires.
As sinful people, we will always
come up short when looking at
the spirit of the commandments.
We have to avoid the desire
to simply water down God’s law
to its bare minimum. The heart
tliat desires to reduce God’s law
merely to the letter is a heart that
is seeking self-justification. It is
a heart that desires to look into
the perfect law of God and see
approval, while yet being sinful.
This is just not possible. The law
constantly points out our sinful
ness. What, then, is our hope?
Our hope is not in our approval
from the law. Instead, it can only
be found in Clirist. As Paul says
in Romans 10:4, “For Christ is
the end of the law for righteous
ness to everyone who believes.”
This is our good news: it does
not come at the cost of lessening
the law, but rather having the law
expose our sin, so that we claim
righteousness not in ourselves,
but only in Christ.
-Cassic Pavone
Dear Counselor,
This may sound like a lame problem, but it is really begin
ning to bother me and I don’t know what to do. My boy
friend bas the worst manners ever. He interrupts people
when they are talking, he yells, he never takes off his hat,
he mocks people, he has belching contests with his buddies,
and all kinds of things that are really embarrassing when We
go out. When we are alone, he is really a great guy. I want
to keep seeing him and I don’t want to hurt his feelings by
saying something to him, but I really am tired of pretending
that it doesn’t matter. What do you think I should do?
-Etiquette Counts
Dear Eti,
It does seem like the more casual our lifestyles become,
the less we pay attention to manners. However, having manners docs not mean that wc have
to be “stuffy,” “stiff,” or not have fun. Really, using good manners is simply being respectful
of the people with whom we are in contact or with whom wc interact—-and even ourselves.
Whether, in your boyfriend’s case, it is a matter of immaturity, showing off for his buddies, or
that he just is not paying attention to the feelings of others, having these offensive behaviors
brought to his attention will give him an opportunity to make some changes. Keep in mind,
confrontation does not have to be cruel or mean; in fact, it is a chance to model respectful
behavior. Keep in mind, too, that supporting someone in changing behaviors often takes time
and lots of patience. The great thing about being respectful is that it can be quite contagious
and when that happens we all win.
Peace, Cassie
P. S. Keri and 1 want to express our gratitude to everyone here at Montreat College who sup
ports the success of the students and the work that is done through The Counseling Center.
We count you all among our blessings during this time of thanksgiving.
For more information about this and other mental/emotional health issues, contact Cassie
Pavone or Keri Boer at The Counseling Center, lower level of Bell Library, ext 3538, e-mail:
cpavone@montreat.edu or kboer@montreat.edu.
Nov. 19,2004, Page 3
. The. Whetstone