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Will the Real You Please Stand Up?
Which person are you? What is the basis of your acceptance with God, your acceptance of others, and your acceptance of yourself ? Read the three choices below and then decide.
Mr.
Legalist |
Mr. Higher Experience |
Mr.
Faithful |
Performance |
Radiance |
Mercy |
"Do like Jesus" — my Example. |
"Be like Jesus" — my motto. |
"Behold Christ Jesus" — my Substitute. |
External works |
Internal holiness |
Contemplation of Jesus' works and His holiness |
What is the motivational key Bible text?
Mr.
Legalist |
Mr. Higher Experience |
Mr.
Faithful |
" . . . the doers of the law shall be justified." Rom.2:13. |
". . . . be not drunk with wine, but be filled with the Spirit . . . " Eph. 5:18. |
". . . .[Christ] loved me, and gave Himself for me." Gal. 2:20. |
I must do as He did. |
I must be filled with the Spirit as He was filled. |
". . . . He was wounded for [my] transgressions, He was bruised for [my] iniquities: . . . with His stripes [I am] healed." Is. 53:5. |
Where is the focus of your attention directed?
Mr.
Legalist |
Mr. Higher Experience |
Mr.
Faithful |
On outward standards, performance, deeds, behavior patterns. |
On inward impressions, emotions, feelings, and flights of ecstasy. |
On blessing others for whom Christ died. |
Does it matter how we press on the upward way? Does it make a difference which pair of "glasses" we wear (legalism, mysticism, or gospel glasses) through which we view the world? Does our belief system bring us into bondage, or does it make us free?
Mr. Legalist |
Mr. Higher Experience |
Mr. Faithful |
A prisoner of self because of always toiling under the burden of fulfilling the law for his acceptance. |
A prisoner of himself because unless he bubbles, radiates, glows, and has a high and mighty experience, he must doubt whether he is born again. |
Free to serve others and love Jesus even though he daily mourns that he falls so far short of what is expected of him. Also free to be himself and never afraid to confess the very worst thing about himself. |
How will our "gospel" cause us to regard others?
Mr.
Legalist |
Mr. Higher Experience |
Mr.
Faithful |
". . . I thank Thee, that I am not as other men" Luke 18:11. |
". . . that no one of you be puffed up for one against another." 1 Cor. 4:6 (cf. 2Cor. 10:12). |
Self acceptance and fellowship with others based on God's undeserved mercy — in Christ's doing and dying — His sinless life and atoning death. |
Superior to others |
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Others equal and precious |
No hope |
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Blessed hope |
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