There was a lot of Scripture to explain yesterday in the time I had to preach so what follows was left out. For those who didn't hear the message it was from Matthew 23 and the subject was the Pharisees or for us today, legalism.
I have at times been accused of being a legalist and at other times of being a liberal. I guess it all depend on who is looking and what they see. I will admit to sticking to some of the old time standards that were legalistic and I'm thankful for them. I still don't drink alcohol and will encourage others to join me in not drinking. I prefer the Holy Spirit over wine any time. I still don't go to movies or dance or gamble and to the amazement of some I'm still happy. I expect there are a few other things that I choose not to do that cause some to think I'm still a legalist.
Which brings me to the sequel to the message. I have experienced what I call "liberityism". It's when other Christians look down their holy nose at me because I won't drink, go out dancing, to the casino, and whatever else is called liberty. Some have even wanted me to preach about liberty in that sense and have been disappointed because I haven't. It's almost a reverse legalism and is just as, if not more, dangerous. I believe Romans 14 applies in both cases.
Sometimes I look at it this way - How close or how far away do we want to be to the world, the flesh, and the devil. As for this old legalist, I want to be as far away from sin as I possibly can be. How about you?