journey something

“I run in the path of your commands for you have set my heart free.”  -Psalms 119:32

Last weekend, Steve Wiens preached a great sermon at Church of the Open Door on the freedom we should live in as Christians. He defines legalism as ”an attempt to place life in my control.” Steve identifies three types of legalistic Christians: Truth Defenders, Grace Addicts, and Jesus Followers. Truth Defenders do everything they can to defend thier view of God, faith, and the Bible. They are quite hostile in thier defence of thier dogma, thinking that the world rests on thier shoulders. In reaction to Truth Defenders, Grace Addicts have adopted the posture of a victim. Any church that asks anything of you is too much, any church they attend must use thier specific language about grace. Jesus Followers (the group of my most recent membership) wouldn’t stoop to call themselves ‘Christians’ for fear of being associated with either of the latter and think that thier practice of following Jesus is most similiar to the early church. Each group has simply created its own “form of legalism in exchange for another.” Steve then ties it all in to the unifying and transforming power of the Eucharist.

I was challenged and encouraged by this sermon and I highly recommend watching it!

View Steve’s sermon here.