Destructive Force of Legalism

Legalism destroys hope.   Like a child’s game of “King of the Mountain”, backslidden members of the church toiled to reclaim their lost salvation.  With every acknowledged stumble, confess and repentance were essential.  Backsliders didn’t just slide down the hill a bit.  They fell totally from Grace.  A backslider was viewed as a regenerated sinner who had forfeited Salvation as a result of their sinful act or thought.  Redemption demanded that they plunge back into the darkness of the wretched chasm from which they’d originated.  By returning to their point of origin, the former believer was making a confession of their sin.   From the shadows below, a repentant believer could make their way to the starting line and begin the climb, once again.  For many, it was one plunge too many back into the abyss.   Defeated, they would never return to the starting point.   Never return to the fellowship of the brethren.   Never understand God’s love or God’s Grace.

 Who knows how many secret sins went unconfessed – or for that matter, unrecognized?  Inner-sin was held as a personal secret, weighting only on the heart.  The artificial joy was stymied for a while – at least until one’s secret confess was made and the conscience soothed.  But with secret confessions, public humiliation was avoided.  The secret sinner’s status within the church was still held above reproach and remained unchallenged.  However; maintaining perfection in the eyes of your brother was a full-time effort – and Satan delighted in watching the proud tumble.

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