Legalism offers little latitude. It maintains a narrow scope of opinion, vision, and redemption. Legalism is a sad substitute for righteousness. An improper interpretation of relationships. An imbalance of rules focus can cause children to believe a relationship is a function not a fellowship.
Love is understood in terms of a manual's definition or a counselor's explanation.
Compassion is swallowed up by the art of execution. Bitterness finds a bed for roots of rules frustration. When children are raised by rules instead of relational righteousness there is another hidden heartache. Breaking rules makes us rationalize our rebellion. It fuels a pride that begins to believe it is impregnable.