There are two kinds of legalists, I think.
There are those who force everyone to meet with their convictions and set that as the bottom line for salvation, else to hell you're gonna go! My way or the highway!!
This legalist raises the bar until it becomes impossible to be saved. Those on this extreme are usually those who are too lazy to study and therefore just arbitrarily set lines that have NO BIBLICAL basis. One disclaimer though... there are standards of holiness for which there is no 'black & white' scripture, they are simply done out of faith, love for God and obedience to
principles (a favorite term here on AFF, I find).
Then there are those who try to find out how much they can do and still be saved (i.e. - women cutting their hair, wearing pants, rings, sleeve length, tv, internet, social drinking, etc.) and try to drag others down to that level.
This legalist has lowered the bar so far that it is impossible to be saved. I often find it is those who are 'bitter' with men, and form an opinion that justifies them in their 'newfound liberty' rather than finding a church that has a good spirit, that become those on the second extreme.
Both are legalists because 'they' are setting the baseline for salvation.
BOTH are in danger of being lost because they are trying to become a God to themselves by making their line
THE LINE!
The good news is that there are a lot of churches and pastors who fall into the middle ground. (Yes, there are!) And there will be much required at judgment for those on either end of this scale.
A final word here... ALL SCRIPTURE is RELEVANT (yes, even OT Scripture)! So if we're going to preach only what's in the Bible, let's preach everything that's in the Bible!
A case in point... If it ever was an abomination to God, since he doesn't change, wouldn't that mean it still was an abomination? Unless, of course, you believe He changes...
God Bless
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