0
Seven Steps to a Dead Church (Part 4)
THE LEGALISTIC CHURCH
"Truth without love is legalism,
Love without truth is compromise"
Unknown
This is the church that is strong on truth, but weak on love. Yes, there are churches like this, many are "Independent, Fundamental, Bible-believing, Baptist Churches," in the world today. Ephesus is the third step down away from God.
"But," you say, "how do you know that it is a legalistic church in Ephesus. Read the text:
Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand,
who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and and thy labour, and thy patience,
and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not,
and hast found them to be liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and
hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember there-
fore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will
remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thouhatest the deeds of the
Nocolaitanes, which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that
overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, whic is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Notice that this church did not lose its first love. It left--or has forsaken, discarded--their first love. Legalism is strong on doctrine and lacking on love.
As an example: I am an ex-offender. I committed a crime for which I was on probation for three years. I was saved in 2003. I have since had difficulties with some of the people who are in the church in which I was saved. They act as if I am a blemish on their pristine "Fabulous Showcase." To them the church is not a hospital for sinners. I want to tell them that they are wrong in veiwing themselves as a showcase. To me, they seemed to be loading lots of requirements on me before I can bevoted on as a member. I have been saved and baptized. I am trying to live a Christ-like life. But I feel tagged because of my past. I do not need to be reminded of my past, nor of my problems, nor do I need to hear of any "quick fixes" for my problem. I want to live for Jesus Christ the best I know how. H is helping me what needs to change. You see, He wants to see us overcome. He has a reward for those who overcome, so let's let Him help us overcome. [The church listed in this blog closed its doors in 2005, gj]
