Sound The Trumpet

Many people like to label those of us who believe the Bible as legalistic. Nothing could be farther from the truth. What is legalism? With regard to religion, it is the belief that salvation is gained through good works. One could also make the application that a strict adherence to rules is required. With that in mind, am I a legalist? Absolutely not.

First, salvation is by grace through faith. There is nothing we could ever do to earn our salvation.

Eph 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Knowing that salvation is not according to anything one could do, it is impossible to use this definition to label me as a legalist.

As far as a "strict adherence to the law" goes, we have a schoolmaster in the law which shows us our need for salvation. Once a person is saved, we are made free from the law. As one who is saved, I enjoy the freedom to do whatever I wish. However, knowing I am free from the law and having been saved from the fires of hell (the fire I deserved), I willingly serve my Lord and do as He wishes. How can I know what the Lord wants for me? I can look to the Word of God.

Now that we see who the legalist is not, who is the real legalist? The real legalist is the one who looks for loopholes, the one who lives his life according to the exclusions and omissions from the Word of God.

When the Word of God is so clearly against the use of alcohol, the legalist will point out that there is no clear "thou shalt not drink beer."

When the Word of God is clear about worldly associations and entertainment, the legalist will say there is no clear commandment saying, "Thou shalt not listen to (supposedly) Christian rock." The legalist will point out that the Scriptures do not specifically prohibit going to movies, wearing pants (or other immodest apparel).

The legalist would point out that the Bible does not directly say, "thou shalt not date."

The legalist would point out that the Bible does not say, "thou shalt not go lay naked on the beach nor go with those who would lay naked."
**I know, some of you are saying you don't go to the nude beach, but the Bible gives a clear definition of "naked" and that standard is met at every beach.**

The legalist would point out that there is no clear prohibition against the abuse of drugs and tobacco.

When the legalist dilutes the Word of God into any of the corrupt versions, they may even claim there is no prohibition against women or sodomite preachers.

When we look at those who would twist Scripture or take things out of context to thwart God's Word or to suit their flesh, we also see a clear example of the true pharisee. The pharisees did not know Christ, but they knew the law. I am amazed at how well today's pharisees (let's use the modern term for them: liberals) know the Word of God when it suits them, and ignore it when it does not.

The point is, I am not the legalist. I am not living by a strict set of rules. It is the the modern pharisees, the liberals who are always looking for a way to escape the will of God who are the legalists. It is these modern pharisees who twist and ignore the Word of God to suit their own flesh.

There are many who claim Independent Baptist Churches are not really independent. Well, they are right. They got us. Our secret is out! At least, I am certainly not independent.

In his day, Paul dealt with an issue in the Corinthian church where people were following certain men. Some followed Apollos, some follow Paul and some follow others. Today, some follow Bob Jones, some follow Peter Ruckman, some follow John Calvin, some follow Jack Hyles and some follow others. Consider the following passage:

1Co 3:3-7 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? (4) For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? (5) Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? (6) I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. (7) So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

Paul referred to these who followed men as carnal. So, following Paul's example, I refuse to be a follower of men. If we stopped there, many would label me as independent, but I am not. In fact, there is a man who I diligently try to follow. Who, do you ask, is that man? Jesus.

Am I independent? No. I am a bond-slave who has been bought with a price. I strive to do my Master's bidding and serve Him every day. Is this service laborious? Absolutely not. I am thankful for my Master's work in my life. He rescued me. I was on a broad path of destruction. There were many people on this path with me: co-workers, friends, relatives and strangers. Sadly, there are still many on this path. However, there was a day when Jesus, my Master, came along and showed me the end of this broad path. He offered me an alternative. He showed me that it was my sins which were taking me down this road. He also showed me how a debt had accumulated for my sin. Finally, through His Holy and Precious Word, He showed me that the debt had been paid. How was the debt paid? Who paid it? My master purchased my redemption with His own blood.

You may also be on this path, but the same blood which purchased me can set you free as well.

Do you believe??





SANTA IS OMNISCIENT – He knows exactly what everyone is doing, all year long and he keeps a record of when you are good and bad. Then, at the end of every year, children, who believe, are rewarded based on their works.
Ultimately, there is one who will judge: Jesus.
Re 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
Re 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

SANTA IS OMNIPOTENT – The weather doesn’t hinder Santa at all. No matter how bad the storm nor how strong the wind, Santa was able to accomplish his goals. It is almost as though Santa can control the weather.
We know there is only one who has ever calmed a storm: Jesus.
Mark 4:37-39 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. (38) And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? (39) And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

SANTA IS OMNIPRESENT – Let’s face it. The only way the fat man could make all the stops he makes, in the short amount of time he has (less than a second), he must be everywhere at once. That does not even take into account the creepy claim that he can “see you when you’re sleeping.”
Psalms 139:7-8 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? (8) If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
Proverbs 15:3 ¶ The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
SANTA IS ETERNAL – Though generations are born, age and die, Santa never ages.
Mal 3:6a For I am the LORD, I change not
Jas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

SANTA IS WORSHIPPED – This is, perhaps, the saddest fact of all. I received a card one day which depicted a child kneeling beside his bed as though he were praying. His hands were folded and his eyes were closed. Above his head in a cloud was a picture of Santa. To whom was the child praying? Many other children, when asked, do not know who Jesus is, but they certainly know Santa.
Ex 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
God is clear about this. We are to worship no one (or no thing) other than Jehovah.

Of course, it’s all in fun, right? After all, telling a kid to believe in something that isn’t real doesn’t really hurt anyone, does it? It isn’t like Santa is a lie or anything.
Exodus 20:16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.