The comedian, Jeff Foxworthy, has gained worldwide fame for his "...you might be a redneck" jokes. Here is a take-off on his routine, referring instead to "...you might be a legalist." If you think the 10 commandments are still authoritative for Christians today...then you might be a legalist. If you think that abstinence is a virtue...then you might be a legalist. If you think that what our country needs is better moral values...then you might be a legalist. If you've ever thought that God's Law should be imposed upon Americans as the law of the land...then you might be a legalist. If you think the Law represents God...then you might be a legalist. If you think that God's Law can effect right living...then you might be a legalist. If you think that socially-imposed conformity to ethical rules is valuable...then you might be a legalist. If you think that a man can keep God's principles and precepts...then you might be a legalist. If you think that its only right that everyone gets what he works for...then you might be a legalist. If you think that there is a right answer and right action for every circumstance (if you could just take the time to figure it out)...then you might be a legalist. If you think that obedience is doing what the rules indicate...then you might be a legalist. If you think that what people think about you is important...then you might be a legalist. If you think that most people just don't measure up...then you might be a legalist. If you feel frustrated and defeated in that you just don't seem to be able to do it all right and perfect...then you might be a legalist. If you are burdened by self-condemnation for your failures in life...then you might be a legalist. If you're afraid that people will get out of hand if there aren't clear-cut rules...then you might be a legalist. If you believe that the King James Version is the only real Bible...then you might be a legalist. If you feel guilty for not coming to church services every Sunday...then you might be a legalist. If you've ever felt guilty for only putting $1 in the offering plate on Sunday...then you might be a legalist. If you think that tithing is the standard for Christian giving...then you might be a legalist. If you've ever felt naughty or sinful for playing a game of cards or rolling some dice...then you might be a legalist. If you've ever felt guilty for driving up in a new car, or buying a new dress, or even a new home...then you might be a legalist. If you've every worried about what others were going to think about your new hair-do...then you might be a legalist. If you've every thought that you can tell a person's spirituality by the way they look and how they dress (their swimsuit, leotard, skirt length, etc.)...then you might be a legalist. If you've ever tried to impose your perspective of modesty on another...then you might be a legalist. If you men have ever felt condemned for having taken a second look at a beautiful woman (in a short skirt)...then you might be a legalist. If you think that Christians shouldn't practice birth control...then you might be a legalist. If you've ever taken off jewelry or wiped off make-up to capitulate to another's religious scruples...then you might be a legalist. If you've ever hidden your TV in the closet to conceal it from another legalist...then you might be a legalist. If you've ever judged another by the length or color of their hair, or the number or placement of their earrings or tattoos ...then you might be a legalist. If you've ever looked down upon another for their living arrangements...then you might be a legalist. If you've ever thought that divorced people have somehow forfeited their right to spiritual honor and leadership...then you might be a legalist. If you've thought that the way your kids turn out would be the basis of your evaluation as a Christian parent...then you might be a legalist. If you've ever felt superior to, or looked down on, or were prejudiced about people of other races, or condemned interracial marriage...then you might be a legalist. If you've every felt out of place in the video store wondering who might walk in and what they might think...then you might be a legalist. If you've ever been concerned that someone might see you having a glass of wine (or even a beer) with your dinner...then you might be a legalist. If you think that people who smoke tobacco are disgusting and sinful...then you might be a legalist. If you've ever told your kids not to do something because other Christians might see them do it, and it would impinge upon your reputation..then you might be a legalist. If you've looked down your nose at those in more liberal denominations...then you might be a legalist. If you've every thought yourself pretty tight and right with God because of your correct doctrine and moral behavior...then you might be a legalist. If you've ever thought that to associate with those who think different than you is sinful compromizing...then you might be a legalist. If you've ever thought that those who don't believe in "once saved, always saved" are unorthodox heretics...then you might be a legalist. If you think that baptism by immersion under water is the only way to be right with God...then you might be a legalist. If you've ever thought that those who don't believe in a pre-tribulation, premillennial second coming of Jesus are misguided heretics...then you might be a legalist. If you get all excited about prophetic speculations about the future...then you might be a legalist. If you think that the visible expression of spiritual gifts is evidence of one's spirituality...then you might be a legalist. If you have ever thought that God would be more pleased with you if you were willing to go to Africa as a missionary...then you might be a legalist. If you've ever tried to cover up your flaws, and represent yourself as something you aren't...then you might be a legalist. If some of these exposes make you uncomfortable, raise your dander a little, or cause you take offense...then you might be a legalist. If you want to challenge and debate some of these issues...then you might be a legalist...because legalists love to fight and feud. If some of these have hit you right where it hurts...then you might be a legalist... BUT aren't we all, to some degree? CIY Home | Articles | E-inspire articles |