I'm not going to ask you to raise your hand if you grew up in a legalistic church or in a legalistic home, a legalistic family.

Now, in case some of you have not, and don't even know what legalism means, be patient, I'll explain it to you, but also be thankful that you don't know what it is.

I'm going to tell you, but from first-hand experience, but be grateful.

Because legalism really messes you up.

Why do you think I'm messed up the way I am?

Because legalism is an equal opportunity destroyer. Legalism takes a long time to overcome. And you find legalism everywhere.

You find it in the traditional churches, and you find it in the non-denominational churches.

You find legalism in the Catholic churches, in the Protestant churches, and the evangelical churches, fundamental churches.

And as I've traveled the world, I found it in every country, all over the world.

By now, some of you who don't know what legalism means or what's about and you got curious,

I am glad because I want to tell you what legalism is all about.

Legalism, very put simply, is the elevation of any man-made rules or tradition to almost or

at the same level as the Word of God.

If you got that, say amen.

Amen.

See, legalism is the keeping of man-made rule or tradition and thinking that this is what

God wants. Legalism is the thinking that keeping of man-made rules or tradition is going to get you

favor with God. Legalism in some churches, some of you

will know what I'm talking about, is almost, and if not quite as important as the word of God.

See, the problem with legalism is it mislead you into thinking that if you avoid certain things which are not necessary for salvation, I'm going to show you the contrast in a minute.

When you avoid certain things are not necessary for salvation, not sin, not scriptural sin, not biblical sin.

I'm talking about things that not necessary for salvation, that you're a good Christian.

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