Do Not Lose Focus!

II think one of the biggest things that can de-rail us as believers is when legalism sets in. I do not think we realize that legalism goes two ways. In the classical sense, it is an act done merely out of religious obligation (faith in your action rather than faith that God hears you through your action). Now in the opposite sense it is when we feel we are perfectly ok spiritually because we prayed "the prayer" and we become complacent. The reason I think both of these examples are legalistic is because both are counting on something to save them (legally at the day of judgement) that have no power within themselves to do so. One thinks that because they are working hard they will be saved, putting their faith in those acts to save. The other person is being legalistic in the sense of counting on praying "the prayer" and then living however they want. Now I could see how a person could see the latter example as being "lazy" instead of "legalistic", however, I feel that legalism sets in when a person loses the truest meaning of why they do and/or have done something. I was in my car praying one day, and after I was finished this phrase shot through my head "legalism sets in when one loses the truest meaning of why they do something". I had to sit and think about this for a moment, because it just shot through my mind without me thinking about it. The more I thought about it, the more true it seemed to be. When one loses the meaning of why they came to Jesus, and they display that through their actions of disobedience, or counting on their actions performed without faith, they have become legalistic. The reason I believe they have is because they are counting on that prayer to save them in "Jesus' court of judgement" without active faith. Once the faith behind our actions cease, and/or we prayed the prayer and are not acting at all, we fall into a dangerous spiritual state. For instance, when I pray for 'times sake' instead of 'contents sake', that prayer is not very effective if at all. Now when I set my heart to understand the Lord in prayer, I am living in active faith. You see, in the first example, the person is kind of just praying to get it over with because they feel obligated. Now in the second example they are not putting their faith in their act of prayer, but their faith is put in the thought that God is hearing them. In my opinion, the one person was legalistic, and the other was fervently seeking the Lord. Now don't get me wrong, I think it is important to humble yourself before the Lord in prayer, even if you do not feel like it, thats called discipline (discipleship). But not feeling like praying, and praying anyways because you know you need that spiritual fuel from the Lord, is totally different from someone hoping it alone will save them. Both might not feel like it at times but the heart behind why they do it is totally different. God is pleased with sacrifices of praise and humility or else He wouldn't tell us to fast and pray. He desires communion with us, and I sometimes think we need to pray until our heart longs to pray. So at the end of the day, I suppose it is the heart behind why it is done (being the "truest meaning" part of the the phrase above). The scripture that comes to mind is Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." I think it is interesting to note that it is a two part verse, the first requirment in coming to God is believing that He is (thats why in James he says the demons believe and tremble, so mere belief doesn't suffice), and the second thing mentioned is believing that He rewards those that diligently seek Him. What does the second part look like all fleshed out? The whole phrase "that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" suggests action partnered with faith that God see's our genuine heartfelt obedience to Him.
The only way to conquor legalism in our lives is to turn our "laughter into mourning and our joy into gloom"(See devotion entitled, Joy to Gloom" or "An Understanding Heart"). If we as believers are not putting on our spiritual armor, not actively seeking the Lord genuinely wanting answers, and not reading our Word and using it, we are subject to our actions no longer being acted out in faith (genuine heartfelt obedience) but mere obligation. "If a man has faith without works, can that faith save him?"
Please pray over what I am writing! I am trying to find deep truth but I am not exempt from error. If you have a comment or even feel like a correction is needed, dont be shy! I am not saying I will agree everytime, but I would like to be checked none the less! I hope this is not confusing, I hope it blesses all who reads. May a fire be started in the church of God again that changes the foundations of our current world structure!