Legalism, are you a legalist?
Legalism is based on self-righteousness. It is “me” centered instead of God centered.
The word “legalism” is a term that is frequently thrown around in the Christian community. Christians don’t want to be known as legalists and no Christians will see themselves as a legalist. It is critical term that Christians will use against another. How can this word be so widely used? And why is it that everybody else is a legalist except for ourselves. The reason is not everybody really has a grasp of legalism. What is it? Are you a legalist? Am I a legalist? It depends on what legalism is.
Legalism is defined as
1.strict adherence, or the principle of strict adherence, to law or prescription, esp. to the letter rather than the spirit.
2.Theology. a.the doctrine that salvation is gained through good works.
b.the judging of conduct in terms of adherence to precise laws.
Many Christians fall under the category of legalism but not all Christians will necessarily believe that salvation is gained through good works.
Legalism is centered around rules. Certainly God Word is full of commandments. Whether the Old Covenant or the New Covenant, scripture is replete with “thou shall” or “thou shall not.” Obeying the Word of God is not legalism.
Legalism is the belief that God’s pleasure and joy is dependent upon obedience or that God finds more pleasure in me because my obedience is greater than yours or even that God finds me not pleasurable or takes less joy in me because of my disobedience. Legalism centers around us. It is the belief that God’s pleasure or displeasure is dependent upon our actions. This is simply not true.
God’s pleasure and joy is in His work on the Cross. His pleasure or joy is independent of what we do or do not do. Providing a means of salvation to a lost people brings glory to God. Salvation is a sweet aroma unto God (Ephesians 5:2). God’s joy or pleasure in the individual Christian is Christ’s finished work on the cross on our behalf. God is glorified in our obedience and our seeking a life of holiness BECAUSE of Christ’s work on the Cross. We cannot add or take away His delight for His delight is in the word of Jesus.
We are IN Christ and God’s joy and pleasure in us is dependent and based on us being IN Christ. He sees us through the redemptive word of Christ and through Christ’s righteousness.
And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,
1 Corinthians 1:30 (ESV)
We obey because we are IN Christ and we love God.
Legalism is based on self-righteousness. It is “me” centered instead of God centered.
| You are a legalist if you think you have pleased God by going to Church. | You are not a legalist if you go to Church because you love God. |
| You are a legalist if you read scripture because you want to please God. | You are not a legalist if you read scripture because you want to know more about God. |
| You are a legalist if you judge people because you are more obedient. | You are not a legalist if, instead of judging disobedient Christians, you encourage and love your fellow brother or sister. |
| You are a legalist if you think God loves you less because of your performance. | You are not a legalist if you accept that God’s love is based on Christ’s finished work. |
If you fall in the category of believing that your salvation is dependent on your obedience, Christ’s work on the Cross is unfinished. Those that hold to this belief should put on their best running shoes and start running for all they are worth and hope that somehow their performance is pleasing enough to God. Unfortunately, God has not specified how much error He will allow. It is up to each individual Christian who believes salvation is dependent upon them to please God through their obedience and works to “get it right.” A very frightful and daunting task to please God enough to grant entrance into heaven. Christ started the work on the Cross, you finish His work. A frightening concept indeed to have to tip the scales in our favor to complete the work of the Cross. (See Conditional or Unconditional Security for more information.)
If we have taken pride in being obedient, we are a legalist. If we take pride in being ‘better’ and more obedient than another, we are a legalist. And lastly, if we try and convince other Christians to do as we do, we are a legalist.
Great post!
Being a Christian is not about what we do or do not do. It is about what Christ has done.
And that’s EXACTLY it — what Christ has done!!