Is Legalism or Liberalism Worse?

There may be something seriously wrong with your walk and relationship with God if instead of "How can I become more holy and Christ-like, and do things that please Him not my flesh?" the question you find yourself asking is "What can I get away with - how long I can swim in the wordly waters - and still be considered a Christian?" Which one of these does your heart dwell on?

All things may be permissable, but not all things are profitable. Just because you may be allowed to do certain things as a Christian, does not mean it will augment your growth, and it does not mean that it is pleasing to your heavenly Father. Do you find yourself saying and doing things that, while they may not be damnable, you know in your spirit they are not "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely"? Do you find yourself listening to secular music, admiring art, or watching movies and television that have ungodly content, or are based on a worldview that opposes the Truth?

The answer to those questions may shed some light on the inward struggle, and guilty feelings. We tend to focus on one part of our imperfections that we admit to being "wrong" about, and then we won't have to worry about the other side of the coin. If we focus on our supposed prejudice or judgmentalism, then we won't have to worry about our tolerance of sin. If we focus on our supposed legalism about the way others act and what they say, then we won't have to worry about our own actions or words. So many of these balancing acts could be settled if we just asked the question "Is it Biblical and does it please God?"

Yes, legalism may be wrong... but liberalism is just as wrong. Wouldn't you rather err on the side of pleasing, rather than displeasing, God?