Christlikeness: Holiness, Not Legalism
Christlikeness leads to Holiness Rooted in Grace, Not Legalism, or a Legalistic Approach
When leaders take a heavy-handed approach toward holiness, people tend to feel burdened down, oppressed, and condemned. -- That's legalism.A hands-toward-God approach, however, is a Christ-like approach leading to rest, freedom, and deliverance which leads to holiness. -- That's grace.
God's grace is both the motivation and means for people to become holy.
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. (Titus 2:11-12)
The Steering the Church Toward Christ-like Character Leadership Guide considers some biblical truths about holiness that help us understand the harmfulness of taking a legalistic approach to holiness. It then makes suggestions for how to take a hands-toward-God approach instead.