Stop Swinging. Stand Firm.

There is more than one definition for the word "legalism", but in Christian circles it pretty much means to judge the health of one's spiritual life, or even the validity of their salvation based on rules of conduct that are extra-biblical. My life has definitely been affected by legalism. As I grew, I started recognizing things that I had been taught to believe as sinful that were not, in fact, recognized as sin in the Bible. I am not bitter about it, though. Not a bit. It is not hard to see how a generation of people who grew up in a time where tattoos were a sign of rebellion would consider it wrong for their children to get a tattoo. When you grow up with an alcoholic father who destroys his life and the lives of his family, it is not hard to see how drinking becomes associated with evil. When you see the depravity represented in so many movies and TV shows, it is not astonishing when people decide the Christian's life is better off without it. When you notice the oversexualization our culture is engaged it is not surprising that some will take modesty to an extreme.

So I am not bitter. I understand. But like a lot of other people who grew up affected by legalism, I decided I was going to try to rid my life of legalism. I realize it is not as easy as it may seem. The first instinct is to jump on the pendulum in the opposite direction of legalism. The funny thing is, it is not the opposite of legalism that you end up with when you get on that pendulum. In most cases, you end up just as entrenched in legalism as you were before. Instead of viewing those with tattoos, or those who drink, or watch R rated movies, or wear shorts that seem a bit too short as "lesser Christians", you start viewing Christians who don't partake of those things as the "lesser Christians." And all the while you may be more legalistic in your thinking than the Christians who refrain. 

I'm not a fan of pendulum swinging. I see it in my life and the lives of others and I cringe. In order to fight against one wrong we end up swinging so far the other way that we end up just as wrong. Legalism is just one area where I am trying to find that perfect balance. But balance can not be found when I am riding the pendulum. Riding the pendulum will only end up at one of two extremes. So what is the answer? Look to Christ. I need to center my heart and my mind on my Savior and I will find I have no use for pendulum swinging any longer. He is steadfast, and only at His feet will I find a firm place to stand.