Legalism - good works and faith

So the definition of Legalism is (according to dictionary.com)

Legalism - the doctrine that salvation is gained through good works.

So good works is a good right! As the name implies! It can never hurt to do something good! You don't get in trouble for helping your brothers and sisters, you will never get fussed at for doing your homework too thoroughly, and you will never go to jail for helping a mom with her groceries! You just won't! But legalism teaches that those good things will get you to get to heaven. That is not what the Bible says! And in fact the Bible does talk about works quite a bit! As a Christian you have the desire to do good works! You just do! You want to spread and show God's love! But no matter how much you do that it can not guarantee your place in heaven! That has to be done with a relationship with God! 


But if you want to hear more about that you can email me (bloggeremailcowgirl@blogspot.com) Or you can comment and request a post about that. Right now I really want to talk about those of us who are Christians. 


Okay! So picture this! 
You are that person that anyone could count on! You never turn your phone off in case a friend needs to talk. You never say no and you are involved in everything everywhere. You are constaly volunteering to help with stuff and take on more than you know what to do with! You are a supporter and friend to everyone! And that begins to become what you are known for. You do unnecessary tasks just because it could help someone out! 
And you fall into a pattern of waking up each day with these goals. 
Great goals! Wonderful things! Nothing wrong with that! 
But maybe you don't put enough time into seeking God or growing your faith. 
But you reason with yourself! As long as I am doing good things for God why does it matter! I was once told that anytime you have to justify something you shouldn't do it! And that has shown so true in my life! But that living each day doing good works but not living by faith is exactly the legalism that is very common for so many people! Now I am not saying that you should stop doing good things and spend all day praying. That is not what the Bible says either! The good deeds you do are made perfect to God by your faith! Your good works alone will not grow your relationship with Christ. Only through faith can that be done! That is why they need to work together! One is not complete without the other!


Here are some verses that show us that!


Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone.
Romans 9:32


Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?
James 2:22

But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

Romans 7:6


Hopefully you enjoy this post and get something from it! If you want to know more please comment or email! I love this topic! :)