When the question is asked, 'what is the Biblical definition of legalism, and what constitutes a legalist,' the answers one gets can be as varied and as diverse as the colors of the rainbow.

Legalism is what you call any system which has you observe laws which you don't agree with, and a legalist is anyone who stands theologically to the right of where you stand.

-WiseManSay
This saying probably hits a lot closer to the mark in describing what many Christians believe than they'd like to admit. But what is the 'real' Biblical definition of legalism?

I think that we can safely say that legalism is the belief system which supports the contention that man's Salvation is in some way connected to works of the law, either through maintaining good conduct, or by some other meritorious action. Those who believe that man can get into the Kingdom of heaven by a strict adherence to the law of God, or that we are toiling in this world to become worthy before God, are legalists. Whether these people believe that we must meet certain conditions (as baptism or Church membership), or that we must maintain a strict adherence to laws in order to keep from losing Salvation, these are all examples of legalists. They in one way or another believe that Salvation in some way is based upon man's obedience to laws (thus the term, legalist). In holding such doctrines contrary to God's Word, they become an adversary to the truth of Salvation by the faith of Christ (Grace) alone. For God not only makes it abundantly clear how we are justified in His sight, but also how we can never be justified.

Galatians 2:16

"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."

There is no possibility of man standing justified before God by keeping the law. Because no man can keep the 'whole' law perfectly, which would be required for anyone to be justified on his own.

James 2:10

"For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."

Thus the very system which the legalist puts himself under, is that which rises up to condemn him. In other words, even if he could of himself keep most of the laws of God, and then one day would have one 'sinful' thought (transgression of the law), he would then be guilty of breaking that law, and thus come under wrath of God. In offending in just one little point he would stand guilty of all. For God has declared that the wages of sin is death. Man can never be justified or proven just before God by keeping the law. And anyone who thinks so, or believes he can get right with God by his strict obedience to God's law, is by definition a legalist.

So how do legalists support their contentions? They read passages like 2nd Corinthians chapter 3, where God says that 'the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life,' and they illogically presume from this that it's saying we shouldn't obey the letter of the law, or that we can't obey. But quite obviously God is not teaching us that obeying His laws kills us, nor that we should seek for obedience to the letter of the law (which would be blasphemy), God is telling us that 'Salvation by trying to keep the law' is futile and will bring death. But 'Salvation by the Spirit of Christ' is efficacious, and is the only way to receive everlasting life. If we depend upon keeping the law (our own righteousness), it will condemn us to death, but a dependance upon Christ (His Righteousness) gives life.

Philippians 3:9

"And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:"

We will never gain righteousness by attempting to merit it in keeping the law. Only by Grace in the righteousness of Christ is there meritorious works. And that not of ourselves, but is a by-product of the Spirit working within us. We must be careful that we understand that when God says we are dead to the law, it does not mean that we no longer have to obey God's laws, rather it means that 'when' we don't (which is inevitable), the law does not condemn us to death. For Christ was the propitiation for all of our sins in His death on the cross. Thus in His death we are dead to the law in that it cannot condemn us. But we also now live 'in the law' as being risen with Him has given us a new heart that we have an earnest desire to keep the law because of this work of Christ in us. If we do not have this earnest desire to obedience, or if we look upon Grace as a carte blanche to sin without conscience (as many do), then we have no evidence of Grace.

If we confuse our own works of the law with Grace, the distinction is blurred and we lose sight of what God meant when He said 'those who are justified by the law, have fallen from grace (Galatians 5:4).' This is legalism and a departure from Grace. But by the same token, if we separate ourselves from obedience to the law so that it becomes 'set against' Grace, then there is abandonment of responsibility (Antinomianism) and we will see evidence in our lives of reprobation. So while we need to be careful not to label believing in obedience legalism, we also must be careful that we do not make Grace an excuse or cloak for disobedience to the law.

The sad reality of modern times is that more and more the Churches are misusing the word legalism so much that it might pop up in a conversation about anything from homosexuality to God's precepts against Women pastors. It has become increasingly popular among pastors and parishioners alike to accuse Biblical Christians of being legalistic when they bear witness to what the Lord has forbidden. It is typical for Biblical commands to be abrogated, made void or of non-effect by people labeling them legalism. Those who faithfully testify that we should remain obedient are called Pharisaic. And both these terms are generally used by those who don't really understand either of them. Many have fallen so far from the faith of our fathers that they no longer recognize the difference between legalism, and the righteousness in exhortation to adherence to God's laws.

Hebrews 3:12-14

"Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;"

It seems the exhortation to steadfastness in God's precepts, and the warning against excesses or deceitfulness of sin is looked upon by the modern Church as some sort of hypocritical judgment. And because many today have been so sheltered from the precepts of historical Christianity, they often become jaded and thus confused when hear believers which preach the examination of oneself for adherence to holiness and godly living. These orthodox Christians are falsely labled legalists when they are doing nothing more than striving to be Godly, as our Lord has commanded us to do.

Luke 13:23-24

"Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able."

Exhorting to strive to follow God's laws is not legalism but Christianity. Saying the wide gate may be popular, but is the way of transgression of God's law is charitable and good thing, not hypocrisy to be condemned. Let's look at a practical example. Some Church leaders have said that our manner of dress is a matter of personal preference and that any teaching which establishes a dress code is unbiblical and an exercise in legalism. But it doesn't take much 'honest' thought to understand that if we follow these false and unbiblical presupposition to their logical conclusion, Christians could wear their underwear out into the street, or even a g-string, and (according to the logic of these theologians) they would still be perfectly within their (so called) Christian rights of personal preference. This they term their, 'Christian Liberty.' This is nothing less that worldly and social nonsense of course, for there is no such Christian Liberty, and the Church speaking out against such immodest dress would not be a form of legalism, but of righteousness.

1st Timothy 2:9-10

"In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works."

God's laws are often tossed out the window in favor of modernism and the new age Christian philosophies of nullification with no more than the word, legalism! Nevertheless, dress is not a matter of personal preference, for without such universal Biblical laws against such violations (1st Timothy 2:9, 1st Peter 3:3) concerning modest dress, we have wanton rebellion against God. We don't have Christian liberty or freedom when we ignore God's laws, what we really have is a return to the bondage of the world. By the Holy Spirit of wisdom we understand that our adhering to these laws of God is not legalism, but sound Biblical Christianity. While obedience to the law is not what brings about Salvation, obedience to the law is an 'evidence' that we are truly have salvation. It is the tangible proof that we truly know Christ, and are not merely 'lying' to ourselves.

1st John 2:3-5

"And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a Liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: Hereby know we that we are in him."

In other words, this is the 'true' evidence that we truly know Christ and are truly Saved. An actual personal relationship with Him where we will keep His Word, and will not call those who also faithfully keep it legalists. God says these who are obedient to his commandments (law) are those who have this evidence of truly knowing Him. By contrast, to those who disobey His commandments, labeling the strict obedience to them legalism, He has other things to say about them.

2nd Thessalonians 1:7-8

"And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:"

These who do not know God, and who do not obey His laws are the complete opposite. Like those who call obedience to the law legalism and label disobedience their 'christian liberty,' these will have a rude awakening come judgment day. For they do not abide in His laws nor walk in the light of Christ as those who know God.

It is troubling to our soul to see professing Christians today fighting so hard against those who come testifying to biblical precepts which clearly address their lusts, works, actions, code of conduct, and Christian values. Have we lost the ability to distinguish between someone bearing witness to God's Word, and someone merely stating their opinions or personal preferences? The testimony of scripture is not personal opinion, rather it is the witness of things which are ordered by God. And the wanton transgression of those laws of God by professing Christians under the guise a word like 'legalism,' is not their faith in Grace, rather it is in fact evidence that they have no faith and do not understand Grace. It places man at enmity with God where he doesn't really know Him. Does the true believer think that Grace is an excuse to 'get around' God's laws because we are not under law? God forbid! He keeps the law precisely because He is under Grace of God.

Romans 6:1-2

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"

Living in transgression of God's laws because we know Grace abounds (or is in abundance to cover all sins) is not the fruit of Grace, but the 'evidence' that we do not know Christ, and thus are not under God's Grace. The true child of God born from above is a 'new creation' in Christ, and cannot live unrepentant in sin any longer. Nor can He use colloquialisms like 'legalism' or 'Christian liberty' as a hiding place for his transgressions. For seeking Holiness and desiring the assembly keep God's law, is not legalism, but a spiritual tranlation into the kingdom of righteousness.

1st Peter 1:14-16

"As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."

Obedience to the law is not something to condemn, and seeking to do what is right is not attempting to gain Salvation by works. Rather these are living proofs of a changed nature. And because of this changed nature, the true believer will repent, examine himself, and attempt to make corrections rather than pretend he is not committing sin, or continue to live in his sin under the auspices of a Church teaching that such rebuke of lawlessness is legalism.

2nd Corinthians 13:5

"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?"

Exhortation to examine ourselves by the law of God and make our calling and election sure is not practicing legalism, rather it is the duty of every Christian. This astounding lack of discernment of the differences between sound judgments that we seek to be as close to God as possible (holiness - 2nd Timothy 3:17, 1st Peter 1:15-16) and of legalism, is like scales that has formed over the eyes the assembly. Judgments must be made in the Church, and this is in no way practicing Pharisaic ideals or legalism. And those who call it such do not have a firm grasp of what legalism is.

Titus 1:7-8

"For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;"

Many undisciplined Christians today would call such judgments in the Church 'legalism,' when in fact it is 'God's precepts' to keep the Church ordered, wisely governed, faithful, and sound. The trend of Churches to unorthodox teachings such as the disdain of making Christian judgments is due in no small part to weak or liberal pastors rationalizing away any chastisement of unfaithfulness, discipline, or judgment. In their compromise of the gospel for the sake of what they see as unity, compassion and charity, is what has greased the Church for a slide into Apostasy. They have moved the ancient landmarks so far from the Word of God that they haven't a clue when they overstepped the boundaries. There doesn't seem to be many boundaries left anymore.

Proverbs 22:28

"Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set."

The ancient landmarks which once marked the boundaries of scripture have been moved so far back that the words of men are now inside those boundaries masquerading as God's Word. And that is why today any Church judgment at all is considered by so many to be an unwise, bad or unloving thing, and anyone who preaches that we must live righteously are labeled legalists who are hypocritically judging others.

Granted, sometimes Christians can be their own worst enemy. For we should not only preach God's Word and declare what God's law forbids, but we should also help others to understand God's intention in giving these commandments. yes it is true that it is enough to know that God gave them, thus we should unquestionably obey them, but it is also wise to be patient and explain the laws in the Spirit of love. For when Christians with the Spirit of Christ gain a knowledge of the Word, they often begin to grasp what God intends, and thus better comprehend what they are reading. It is a wonderful thing when their heart is made joyful in obedience. When we teach a more thorough understanding of scripture, by the Spirit working within them Christians find that they are no longer content with merely eliminating (what we might call) serious violations of the law, but will begin shaping their everyday lives in order to better serve God on a daily basis. It then no longer becomes a question of legalism, but a question of love of God's law, and of a changed and softened heart to live in it.

Psalms 119:10-12

"With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes."

It is then they realize that applying Godly and Biblical precepts to our lives is not legalism (no matter how many professed Christians parrot this convoluted line), it is the increase given by God. Strict obedience to God's laws is not wrong, it is the evidence God has granted us desire to hide His Word in our hearts that we might not sin against Him. Failure to obey God's law is sin which we are warned of God against. Obedience is something borne from the hearts, and is what we live by. It's not something which we abhor or disdain and label legalism. God's law is nourishment unto life.

Matthew 4:4

"But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."

The fact that faithful Christians have an earnest desire to obedience, and they stress the need for the Church to obey the scriptures, is Glory to God. Legalism is not our hating the sin of the world and teaching that Christianity should flee it, it's love of God. 'Friendship of the world is enmity with God, and whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God -James 4:4.' We should all strive to be lawful and to overcome sin and the lusts of the flesh. Having Biblical rules and guidelines to follow is pure Godliness, and refusing to compromise the Word of God for the sake of artificial unity or ecumenicalism is a virtue. Living (and exhorting to live) a careful, lawful, moral and ordered Christian life, is not something to revile, but to encourage.

It is however legalism to believe that 'by' our faithfully adhering to good works, deeds or laws, we will merit blessings, rewards or Salvation. Do not confuse the real meaning of legalism with that which some Christians teach. Many Churches today wouldn't know legalism if a book of law fell out of the sky upon their heads. And though it goes against the grain to speak out against such misuse of this word, we can by Godly conscience do nothing less. For it's not a matter of what seems right to man (Proverbs 16:25), but of what God says. Let us not be 'lawyers' who search the scriptures only to look for loopholes in the law or find ways to avoid keeping it. For our keeping God's laws are not a matter to be grieved over or labled legalism, it's a matter of Love. Jesus didn't have disdain for those who loved the law and understood keeping it was evidence of true Salvation. On the contrary, He bore testimony of those who keep His law in their hearts. His disdain was reserved for the 'real' hypocrites who thought they could be righteous by keeping the law of moses, while exhorting these others to continue in His Word.

John 9:41

"Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth."

John 8:31-32 "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Christ Jesus said if we say we keep the law and have no sin, we are lying hypocrites and our sin remains. By the same token, He said if that if we continue in His Word, then are we His disciples. A contradiction? Sound like legalism to you for God to declare that if we keep His Word we are God's disciples? No, not at all. Neither keeping the Law, nor the exhortation of others to strictly and faithfully keep the law, is legalism. But dependance upon keeping the law to get us into the Kingdom, is. While legalists blend the law into the gospel so that there is no distinction (Salvation is somehow by law, and by Grace), antinomians separates and pit the law against the gospel (Salvation frees man from responsibility to keep the law). Both are false concepts of Christianity. If we truly love God, we continue in His Word and will keep His laws. It is the fruit of the Spirit of righteousness we receive when we are in Christ. By contrast, if we are just kidding ourselves about knowing God, we will look for excuses why we don't have to obey God's laws, while still professing to be under Grace. Call obedience legalism, call disobedience Christian liberty, call these things whatever you will, but it is gross error. The preaching of the law 'is' the preaching of the gospel, and thinking God's laws are passed away or burdens too grievous for us, is not a sign of His Grace upon us, but of the works of the devil and of worldliness. It's not a sign of Christian liberty, but of worldly bondage.

1st John 5:3-4

"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and His commandments are not grievous.
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."

In the keeping of what Christ calls the first and greatest commandment, and our loving our neighbor as ourself, we are keeping the law (Matthew 22:36-40). And on these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Shall we cast these laws out with a cry of legalism, or shall we understand that our love is the fulfilling of the law (Romans 13:10). I suppose it all depends upon whether the spirit of disobedience or the Spirit of God to reveal these truths rests within us. In love we understand how the law is a part of our very being, and thus not subject to being abrogated as the ruling authority of our lives. Thus the misnomer of legalism is seen for what it is. The attempt by many today to free themselves from being bond servants of Christ, and live without any restraint by law. Is it then any wonder sin abounds in the Church.

May the Lord who is Gracious above all, give us the wisdom and understanding to humble ourselves and rightly divide, and discern His most glorious Word.

Amen!

Peace,

Copyright ©2002 Tony Warren
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Created 3/16/02 / Last Modified 3/18/02
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