Legalism vs. Holy Habits

Psalm 119:164 Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rules.

If you have never seen and heard the Muslim call to prayer it is a pretty erie deal. It is loud, daunting and bold as the speakers dominate the surrounding environent. My recent trip to india put me in a spot in which we, the Christians, where the vast minority and there were many Muslims in select areas. As I listened and observed what was going on I could not help but process that I had seen Legalism at its highest. Mindless repititions at cued up intervals five times a day and a "do your best" attitude in life. All of these people bowing down and chanting things denying any divinity other than Allah. Obviously, they denounce the divinity of Christ five times a day as part of this routine, which is the main differetaitor between Christianity and Islam.

The one thing that I will give the Muslims is that there legalism is devout and impossible to miss if you are around. You absolutely know where they stand and what they believe and there is no shame in blaring it out. I was left comparing that to the Church in America where you can get accused of being legalistic for simply reading your bible every day or not drinking alcohol. I hear many people use the "I don't want to offend anybody" line for their reasoning for sharing Christ.

After processing this for a couple of weeeks and hearing some sermons that helped round out my understanding, I think I can express what God has shown me.

>Legalism is the believe that a set of actions will bring you Salvation
>A Holy Habit is an expression of Joy that arises out of your Love for Jesus who saved you.

There is a huge vast difference in the two. I see many people that have no discipline in their Christian walk because they "Don't want to become legalistic". Well if you are saved by Grace and know it fully, your acts of worship towards God are not legalistic. they are free will offerings of Love and no matter how many times you do it, free willed, heart driven worship and praise is the only anti-legalistic option we have.

Do not let the Devil convince you that your discipline is legalism. Have you ever stopped to compare the words disciple and discipline?

When you look at David's heart in the Psalm above he took great Joy in giving God praise over and over. Many church goers would tag that legalism. I think God would tag that "what I created you for".

Think it through. There are no actions that can save you, but your actions speak from your salvation. Holy habits are one of God's gifts to us to keep us looking at Him. That is why He gives us ordinances like Communion, Sabbath and Baptism. He know our hearts are prone to stray, and Holy Habits keep us in His will.