WE PREACH PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY, BUT NOT THE WAY

THEY WANT US TO

We who believe God's grace are often accused by our enemies of not preaching "practical Christianity". The real problem legalists have with us, however, is not that we do not preach practical things, but that we refuse to preach them the way they do.

They lay down rules and regulations of conduct, and say, "This is what Christians should do". We set forth plain, biblical principles, and say, "This is what Christians do". They motivate people to obedience and service by law, with threats of punishment and promises of reward. We motivate the people of God to obey him and serve him by the gospel, for the love of Christ and the glory of Christ. They lay down certain patterns of behavior, and say, "This is what believers ought to be". We describe the character of God's elect, and say, "This is what believers are". They preach works. We preach grace. This is the thing that galls them.