Feeling Convicted Lately?

Have you ever been reading a Christian self-help book only to stop reading it because you didn't like what it was teaching?  Maybe it was telling you how you should live your life and you don't (or won't) change.  Is that legalism?  Is what the book teaching or suggesting you do, is that legalism?  Maybe.  But, what I think needs to happen is you need to ask yourself, "Why does this make me feel this way?"  Is it really because I like my sin and don't want to do what it asks, even if it is teaching me that the Lord wants me to behave or act in a certain manner?  Sometimes we won't continue to read something because we think that person thinks they know it all or because that's just their opinion.  They have a right to express that opinion.  That is why God gave us His Word- the Holy Bible.  So, that we may read it, memorize it, and teach it to others. 

I once had someone tell me that a particular book was too legalistic for them.  I had to ponder after the fact.  I began to ask myself the same question I posted in the above paragraph- "Why?"  What do we read that makes us think something is legalistic?  I guess there are many ways a book, an article, even a facebook post can come across as legalistic.  I haven't read one yet, but I know it can happen.  I have read a book that I wasn't able to finish because I wasn't ready to give up my sin.  I wanted to continue in my transgression- whether or not I truly admitted it or not! 

That's why most people won't attend a church service as well.  They aren't willing to give up on that selfish desire that they hold dear to their lives.  It might be the late-night drinking on Saturday night, the sleeping-late-'cuz-I-can Sunday morning, or the "they're just a bunch of hypocrites anyway" syndrome.  You name it, someone has thought it.  There are 1,000,000,001 reasons that people won't step foot into a church building or continue reading a book, or listen to your thoughts on a particular subject.  Because it offends them! 

As Christians, we have to be able to be encouraging without offending, supporting without stepping on toes, empathetic without losing reality, and well, just plain ol' nice!  And, that's not easy.  Not when there are so many different thoughts on how and why we believe what we believe.  Whether you are Reformed or Armenian, Baptist or Presbyterian, Non-Denominational or Independent.  We all believe in the same Lord but have different ways of living out those Truths.  Are we to be "tolerant" of others?  To a certain degree.  As long as I don't push my religion upon you.  I can give you some advice- if you ask- for it, mind you.  My problem is, I seem to give my opinions and advice when people don't ask.  I am learning, however, to keep my mouth closed!  I learned the hard way. 

I guess, in the end, I can see how someone or something, could come across as legalistic.  I probably have many times in my Christian walk.  I will ask the Lord to forgive me and help me be more sensitive to others.