Teachings on faith have become like coat after coat of varnish on old master paintings, darkening their color. We have been swindled by theologies and theories from the simplicity which is in Christ. They have pushed faith out of reach, as something remote, a rare mystery granted only by the sovereign will of God. Yes, God does give faith. Faith is the gift of God. But it is God’s gift to everybody, for every child sitting at His table. “God has dealt to every man the measure of faith”. We can choose to use it or not. Ephesians 2:8 declares “Ye are saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God”. Misreading this verse some people wait for faith to come, or say “I am not a faith person, I don’t have that gift”. Faith IS the gift of God, and so is sight and hearing and every faculty. They are powers we all possess and use, and faith is a similar faculty. So, “fear not, only believe.”
Legalism
Norman L. Geisler
The highest freedom is the freedom from evil, not the freedom of doing evil.
Ted Dekker
What wife or husband among us would say that the point of marriage is the legal contract, rather than a living, breathing, life-giving union experienced each day in relationship? In as much we are the bride of Christ, it seems that some are more interested in their marriage certificate than in communion with (knowing) the One who is in us and whom we are in.
Darlene Cunningham
Of course, no culture is perfect, and if something is evil in a culture, we should stand against it. But a musical instrument, for example, is not bad just because historically, it was used for pagan worship. That same kind of instrument can be used to worship Jesus, and that is what is happening around the world. I love seeing the Korean fan dance used to worship King Jesus, with all its grace and colorful beauty – or to hear the powerful sound of Korean drums. I love the beauty of African worship with all its creative dance and energetic voices lifted high in praise to God. I love the beauty and harmonies of Tongan “sweet song.” I believe we are called to celebrate the beauty of the nations and their languages and cultures.
Skip Heitzig
Legalism points the finger. Grace opens wide its arms and seeks to restore. Legalism loves condemnation, Grace loves restoration. “So you messed up, so did I. Come on in. We want to get around you, we want to lift you up, we want to restore you. We may get in your business and get honest with you, but we want to restore you back to fruitfulness. We don’t just want to point out your faults, we want to restore you.”
Madeleine L’Engle
Only Christ can free us from the prison of legalism, and then only if we are willing to be freed.
Paul Tripp
We must not offer people a system of redemption, a set of insights and principles. We offer people a Redeemer.
A A Hodge
A church has no right to make anything a condition of membership which Christ has not made a condition of salvation.
A W Tozer
The doctrine of justification by faith (a Biblical truth, and a blessed relief from sterile legalism and unavailing self-effort) has in our times fallen into evil company and has been interpreted by many in such a manner as actually to bar men from the knowledge of God. The whole transaction of religious conversion has been made mechanical and spiritless. Faith may now be exercised without a jar to the moral life and without embarrassment to the Adamic ego. Christ may be received without creating any special love for Him in the soul of the receiver. The man is saved, but he is not hungry or thirsty after God. In fact, he is specifically taught to be satisfied and encouraged to be content with little. The modern scientist has lost God amid the wonders of His world; we Christians are in real danger of losing God amid the wonders of His Word.
Francis de Sales
Many men keep the commandments in the way sick men take medicine: more from fear of dying in damnation than for joy of living according to our Savior’s will. Just as some persons dislike taking medicine, no matter how pleasant it is, simply because it is called medicine, so there are some souls who hold in horror things commanded simply because they are commanded.