Everywhere I Go: Learning to See JesusSample

ARE YOU A LEGALIST? A legalist says, "I've never done anything like that, and I never will." Legalists make lists of things they will and will not do, and hold strictly to their own self-imposed version of righteousness. When Peter was shown in a dream that it was fine for him to eat the flesh of animals on his "don't eat" list, he protested. "No, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy or unclean." But those are the words of a legalist. God told Peter, "Kill and eat," but Peter told God "No, Lord, by no means - ". Let me suggest that the word "Lord" presupposes that the only appropriate answer is "yes, by all means." To say "No, Lord" is contradictory. If He is Lord, we cannot say "no." But Peter, like all of us, had a list of "no's" to which God would say "yes." When Jesus said He would be crucified, Peter said "no." A crucified Savior was not on his list. When Jesus told Peter that all of the disciples would turn away from Him in His hour of need, Peter said "no." Cowardice was not on his list. Peter had a habit of saying "No, Lord," when God had already said "yes!" A legalist says, "Look at what a great guy I am. Here's my long list of things I don't do, and I stick to it!" He mistakenly believes that God applauds and says "Oh, you' re right. Look what a good boy you are!" All the "no's" in the world will not get a legalist into heaven. But one "yes" to the Lord Jesus Christ and His cleansing sacrifice will.