WHAT IS IT LEGALISM? By Kenneth E. Thomas

Some see the demand for strict adherence to what the Lord commands on a given subject as “legalism.” Yet, in every dispensation of God’s dealings with mankind He has demanded just that, “strict adherence to His commands.” Examples could be multiplied by the dozens beginning with Adam and Eve; Cain and Abel; Nadab and Abihu; Moses and Aaron; King Saul ,  etc. (See Genesis 3; Genesis 4; Leviticus 10; Numbers 20:12; 1 Samuel 15).

Next, one may turn to the eleventh chapter of the Hebrew letter and learn that “salvation by grace through faith” has always involved man’s “compliance” to whatever the command happened to be. Hence we learn that obedience never did nullify either grace or faith, rather, it unites them and it becomes “saving faith” (Hebrews 11:1-40; James 1:18-25; 2:14-26).

We must be aware of the fact that “strict adherence” that is, obedience to God’s instructions doesn’t put God in our debt nor earn for us his favor. He extends his favor and we either accept it on his terms or reject the same.  The only way man could put God in his debt would be if he kept law perfectly. Since none save the Son of God himself has ever done so, all the rest of us need grace and mercy, for “there is none (in and of himself) righteous, no not one..”Romans 3:10. And “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23. The wages for sin is death, Romans 6:23. but God who is rich in mercy sent his son who did no sin to become our substitute and to pay our “sin debt” by the sacrifice of himself on Calvary (Romans 5: 1-11; Romans 10:4-17; Hebrews 2:9; John 3:16-17).  Relatively “few” will accept God’s saving grace on the terms He has given to mankind, hence relatively “few will enter the strait gate and walk the narrow pathway” leading to eternal life Matthew 7:13-14.

We may become righteous before God only by forgiveness in the blood of Jesus, not by  perfect law keeping. Yet, for God to account us as righteous, we must be washed in the blood of the Lamb of God as the old song properly portrays the biblical concept of salvation Hebrews 9:22.. Man must comply with the terms of the gospel for his own salvation, hence the apostle Peter said on Pentecost, “..save yourselves from this crooked generation”  Romans 1:16-17; Acts 2:38,40. After conversion the apostle Paul wrote to the brethren at Philippi encouraging them to “...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” Phil. 2:12. So, it  becomes obvious that man has a part to play in his initial salvation from alien sins as well as his continued fellowship with the Godhead and others of like precious faith, that is contingent on continuing to be compliant to God’s will. John refers to this as “walking in the light” 1 John 1:1-7, which simply means living according to Christ’s will (not perfectly or without sin) for the man who says he doesn’t sin is a liar according to 1 John 1:8-10. Man is only made perfect through forgiveness, and this takes place in the mind of God and is not something earned, Ephesians 2:8-10.; Luke 17:10.

Let me state it again, “we are made righteous through forgiveness, not through perfect law keeping;” but being made righteous is contingent on our compliance to the terms of the gospel for an alien sinner, and to the terms for continued fellowship for the child of God. When we comply, God accounts us righteous through forgiveness, and cleanses us in the blood of Jesus. We have not earned such, it is a gift from God, from Christ to all who obey Him Matthew :13-28; Hebrews 5:8-9; Revelation 14:13; Revelation 22:14; 1 Peter 1:22-25.

Paul put it thusly in Titus 3:4-5; “But after the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit...” This passage could be read as follows and do no damage to its meaning whatsoever; “God saves us not  by our own works but by baptism.” Of course there are other prerequisites, namely a genuine faith, true repentance, and confession of said faith with our mouths.  Compare the following  passages with Titus 3:3-5: Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:45-47; Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19; John 3:3-5; Romans 6:3-6; 16-18; 1 Peter 1:22-25.

There may be some among us who are “legalist” in the bad sense of that term,  but I deny that I am  among them. I know how desperately I need the grace of Christ in my life. It is as John records our Lord’s words in John 15:1-7; “.....Without Me you can do nothing” V-5.

As you can see by reading the above, it was in response to what is legalism.  Some  are thinking and writing in denominational language nowadays and are not "speaking as the oracles of God" as we are supposed to do (1 Peter 4:11). Some are "thinking of men above that which is written" and this too is condemned by inspired writers (1 Corinthians 4:6).

 Contact us for more study on this, or any other Bible topic.  1 (309) 347-3582-Office 346-5645 my house. Kenneth E. Thomas, Evangelist with the Pekin church of Christ which meets at 1451 Valle Vista Boulevard in Pekin, Illinois.