Christlikeness: Holiness, Not Legalism

Sometimes leaders think that if they just push and pull people hard enough, they'll do what they’re supposed to do. What they fail to realize is that if they help people "be" who they should be, people will tend to "do" what they should do. Holiness begins on the inside and works its way out. Holiness begins as an inward reaction toward what God has done according His grace and mercy.

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.

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