Are Spiritual Disciplines Practice or Legalism? by Steve Johnson
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hristian “A” and Christian “B” both have a confession, fasting, silence, and solitude are a daily quiet time of prayer and Bible read- few spiritual disciplines Christians throughout ing. Each attends, serves, and gives financially history have typically practiced. Spiritual disciplines help us develop spiriin their local church. Both are disciplined with tually in ways summed what they look at, say, eat, up in 2 Peter 1:5–8, “But and in how they use their LEGALISM IS ALWAYS to obtain these gifts, you time. Christian “A” is a SELF-CENTRED, need more than faith; you legalist, and Christian “B” WHEREAS THE must also work hard to isn’t. What’s the differDISCIPLINES ARE be good, and even that is ence? What makes one a ALWAYS GOD-CENTRED. not enough. For then you legalist and the other not? must learn to know God On one hand, we are encouraged to practice activities sometimes better and discover what he wants you to do. called spiritual disciplines. The words Next, learn to put aside your own desires so “discipline” and “disciple” go together. Activities that you will become patient and godly, gladly like prayer, Bible study, worship, service, letting God have his way with you. This will
