God save us from the legalists...

I talked a long time today, on the phone, with my good friend Matt who is a youth pastor in southern Virginia. He was telling me of some of the problems he was encountering from some members of the congregation. He said, laughing, 'God save us from the legalists.' I asked for his definition of 'legalist,' and he said 'one never knowing Grace therefore unable to be gracious.' I laughed for that is not the 'real' definition of legalism, and Matt is always entertaining. He was onto something, though, when he said legalists do not know about grace with a capital G.

Legalism teaches a salvation that is based upon human works instead of God's grace. They are concerned with, and some consumed with, the 'law,' following commandments. Whose commandments? We must follow the commandments of the Lord. 1 John 2:3-4
says "(3)And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. (4) He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."

Legalists go way beyond that. It's as though they wish to much to be like Jesus and somewhere along the line they think they've finally made it, and then they decide that only people just like them are like Him. Those who agree with them are right, and any brother (or sister) who dares disagree with them are wrong. They eventually lose sight of being like Jesus and aspire to be like themselves, their pictures of the 'perfect' Christian.

Since they "know" they are entirely and always right, they feel they must demand that their ideas/interpretations/opinions become those of all. Any dissenter is doomed, for legalists know (they think) exactly what God teaches and requires. If persuasion doesn’t change a brother’s mind, then other means are appropriate, even means which most Christians would say are totally inappropriate for a Christian. It could be banning/shunning another believer or 'churching them,' i.e., forcing them out of the congregation or some other form of 'persuasion.' If the brother does not conform, he is no longer accepted as a brother.

To "endure to the end," to survive the mystery of lawlessness that will mark the end time, we must hold fast to God's Word and seek His righteousness. "Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the [New Jerusalem]" (Revelation 22:14).

On the flip-side of the coin, it is legalism to establish standards for other people when the Bible does not address the issue.

I am very leery of people who have a 'set of rules' that the Christian must obey if the 'set of rules' is not scriptural. Have you known Christians who are very concerned with how much make up your wife wears, how long the sleeves are on her dress, etc.? They took 'modest dress' and made it into a 'dress code,' legalistic behavior.

I advise the people who counsel with me about Christian matters to base their believes and their behaviors on the scriptures. Where the scriptures are 'silent,' they have personal freedom to pray and meditate and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. They do not have to live under some cultish list of rules or by the rules of any legalistic tyrant out there, even if it's a preacher.

Legalism teaches a salvation that is based upon human works instead of God's grace. As Matt said, 'God save us from the legalists.' Let us be gracious to one another, loving one another, being tolerant -- not of sin but of the brother or sister who is striving to live the Christian life.

Finally, 1Co 13:2 says "And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing." Legalism and those practicing it are strangers to charity (love) or grace or graciousness. They are lost in their own 'laws.'