I'm Just a Legalistic Kinda Guy

Edward Everett gave a 2 hour speech after the battle of Gettysburg. Lincoln gave a speech that lasted a few minutes.
I am no Lincoln of course but I do use just a few words to make any point.
I remember years ago when the definition of 'legalism' was pretty much of the 'jewelry', 'women's slacks', 'makeup', yadayada kind. But behold! Something is happenning. It has morphed into something ugly but still the one who points it out will undoubtedly be tagged 'legalistic'. But I don't care.
About 40 some years ago if you were to point out to an average sinner, let alone a christian, that there was a movie at the theater that had about 2 seconds of nudity in it, they would be shocked. Lo and behold. Today christians seem to have no problem with movies with sex and nudity, blasphemy, potty mouths, and gratuitous violence. They tend to dismiss it with 'I overlook those parts and enjoy the story.' Oh really?
Here's another strange phenomenon. If questioned about a particular movie with a questionable scene they answer 'I never saw that in it!'
I had to shut more than a few movies off with some real toxic material only to hear a christian say 'I saw that one and I didn't see that part in it!'
I tried to watch some movies on the Gospel Music Channel. Pure trash. I had to shut them off. What's going on? I know, I know. 'Devon, you are just to legalistic.'
Another problem that is ever increasing in the 'body of Christ' is 'language'. I thought I heard every four letter word possible spill out of the mouths of 'born again' christians until recently I heard a brother spill out G__DD___! What's goin on? Not to mention christians favorite humor 'word' that starts with an f and ends with a t. I can't even spell it out. A 4 letter bodily function word. This is not what I thought would be the 'fellowship of the saints'. I thought I left that all behind at the pool hall.
Am I being to 'legalistic' here. Am I a prude? Maybe I'm just not hip enough.
I once heard a 'pastor' telling his congregation why he buys his wife a latte. Sex is what he is after. I cringed with all the children sitting there. I walked out alone. I guess no one else cringed. Maybe I'm just to 'religious'.
It's kind of funny. Me and my wife use to walk out of movies in the early '70's when Hellywoood or a I mean Hollywood started producing trash.
I won't even go into the embezzelment, adultery, etc.,etc., 'pastors' occassionally are caught for while the congregations continue to support them. Whew! Somebody wake me up!! [It's no wonder I can't get a following. I can't do those things...if that's what it takes].
Robbery, theft and lies that are used by christian businessmen would knock you outta the saddle....that is if you're not part of all this 'enlightenned' christianity.
Now you know I could go on and on with case histories to prove my observations but I know that I am already being acused of 'legalism' and 'ranting'. So I'll stop.
Hey by the way.I'm starting a church. Does anyone want to come? Just kidding. It would remain an empty building.
Am I legalistic? I don't pay the ungodly tithe. I do not 'go to church'. Pretty legalistic aint I.
Lincoln made his points in a couple of minutes. So did I.

Comment by Adrian L Hawkes on May 7, 2011 at 1:10pm: On by own Blog site www.adrianhawkes.blogspot.com I have a BLOG called 'To Sexy' which you might find interesting, havn't put it on Simple church yet but I will, would be nice to have your comments.

Comment by Adrian L Hawkes on May 7, 2011 at 1:14pm: I just tracked it down - its in my Blog archives and is on the 22nd April 2010 look forward to your comments. Adrian.

Comment by devon leesley on May 7, 2011 at 5:43pm: Still trying to figure how to contact u. Been on it all day.

Comment by devon leesley on May 7, 2011 at 5:45pm: Ok. I guess this is it. I would love to read your article. I can't find it. I really tried.

Comment by Terry and Carol Jarbo on May 7, 2011 at 10:51pm: Great challenge.

I personally feel that our greatest challenge in this area is not changing our language and life styles. It is changing our allegiance.

We are more infatuated with the paraphernalia around Jesus than we are with Jesus.

When we become infatuated with intimacy with Jesus then our choices will change.

When our oneness with Christ means more than our interest in religious experiences, programs and rituals then our choices will become ones that are in harmony with our intimacy with Christ.

Comment by devon leesley on May 7, 2011 at 11:15pm: Terry and Carol, my wife and I went into a church about 4 years ago. The spirit was so heavy we had to skidaddle about half way through also. It took me about an hour to shake the heaviness. My wife was fried for the rest of the day. You see God has departed man's little kingdom they call church. Judgment has begun. He has to because he loves his people and must send a wake up call. Few there be that are listenning however.

Comment by Adrian L Hawkes on May 8, 2011 at 1:03pm: So sorry you could not find it try think link by clicking on it if that does not work I will think of something else, I think.... http://adrianhawkes.blogspot.com/2010/04/to-sexy.html let me know

Comment by devon leesley on May 8, 2011 at 3:15pm: I click on it and it reads ...loading...but never does.

Comment by devon leesley on May 8, 2011 at 5:18pm: I read your article Adrian. Solution? The 'church' needs to put Christ as Head of our gatherings and not a man. As long as we pay a 'professional' to do all things and control all things while we wear out a spot in a pew, God has no choice but to nail Ichobod [God has departed this place], on the front door. His hands are tied. We don't wait upon Him. We have programs to fulfill. Programs only reveal that we have a great void to fill...His absence. Take another look at 1COR.12 and tell me if you see a 'one man band' in control. The 'single pastor' is mysteriously missing and no one has the guts to ask why.

Comment by Adrian L Hawkes on May 9, 2011 at 2:42am: Thanks for that, having come through the traditional denominational route i.e Pastor of ... I was even as a youngster convinced that leadership of local congregation needs to be multi faceted, i.e, as many of the Eph 4 gifts as possible, I also wonder where we get the Pastor leader syndrome from, speaking personally I am not sure that it ever was a major gifting of mine. I also wonder, though we pay lip service to it, if we really believe in the priest hood of all believers?

I'm Just a Legalistic Kinda Guy

You need to be a member of SimpleChurch to add comments!

Our Partners

Badge