Legalism

[Berean]

Would some one explain what is meant by the term legalist or Legalism. I hear this term thrown around a lot. I have a vague idea and correct me if I'm wrong. Obedience because you are commanded to do so= legalism; Obedience out of love= not legalism. Please try and give an objective definition.

 

[annsni]

I think legalism is coming up with man-made laws to hold over people to be able to judge the state of their souls.

Here's something from Reformation Theology that I thought was good:

Legalism could be definied as any attempt to rely on self-effort to either attain or maintain our justification before God. In Paul's Epistle to the Galatians he warned them sternly about such false understandings of the gospel when he asked the offenders: "After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" (Gal.3:3). Legalism always seems to have one thing in common: it's theology denies that Christ is sufficient for salvation. That some additional element of self-effort, merit or faithfulness on our part is necessary. As an example, those who erroneously teach that a Christian can lose his or her salvation are, in essence, denying the sufficiency of Christ to save to the utmost. They believe sin to be greater than Christ's grace. But Christ's righteousness which he counts toward us is not only effecient for our salvation, but sufficient. His once for all sacrifice put away sin for all time in those He has united to Himself. His salvation also means that he not only saves at the beginning but preserves us to the end, sealing us in His perfect righteousness whose blood "reminds the covenant God" not to treat us as our sins deserve. Any attempt to add our covenant faithfulness as part of the price of redemption after regeneration is an "attempt to attain our goal by human effort" and thus a complete misapprehension of the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We must, therefore, reject any and all attempts to maintain a judicial standing before God by any act on our part. Salvation is of the Lord.

Bill Baldwin has put together a brief definition of legalism which I think is helpful:

1. Using the Mosaic covenant as though it is the covenant between you and God.
2. Attempting to be justified by one's own works.

3. Attempting to be sanctified by one's own works

4. Suggesting that our worth or worthlessness, our self-esteem and self-satisfaction or lack thereof, rest on our own works.

5. Any attempt to please God judicially, or any supposition that our sin as believers has resulted in his judicial displeasure. [My note: any post-salvation attempt to maintain our judicial standing before God through good works, covenant faithfulness, merit etc..]

6. Teaching that we conform ourselves to our judicial standing in Christ (righteous and perfect) by our own works.

7. Attempting to attain godliness by a systematic change of behavior
8. Obedience that does not spring from a renewed heart

a. As of an unbeliever who has no renewed heart
b. As of a believer who has a renewed heart but whose righteous behavior does not spring therefrom.

9. Any supposition that externally righteous acts have any value on their own, even as conduct that prepares the way for either

a. A renewed heart (preparationism as regards justification),
b. The softening or further renewing of an already renewed heart (preparationism as regards sanctification. Note Romans 12:2-Transformation occurs through the renewing of the mind), or

c. Any other work of the Spirit.

10 . Suggesting that faith is irrelevant in the accomplishment of some (or all) good works.

11. Trying to be justified by works that are created and inspired by the Holy Spirit.

12. Attempting to gain assurance of salvation solely or primarily on the basis of the sign of outward works

http://www.reformationtheology.com/2006/06/what_is_legalism.php

 

[kyredneck]

..... Obedience because you are commanded to do so= legalism; Obedience out of love= not legalism......

IMO, you've a pretty good handle on it.

Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: love therefore is the fulfilment of the law. Ro 13:10

 

[Scarlett O.]

Here's a very good explanation from gotquestions.org

Question: "What does the Bible say about legalism? How can a Christian avoid falling into the trap of legalism?"

Answer: The word “legalism” does not occur in the Bible. It is a term Christians use to describe a doctrinal position emphasizing a system of rules and regulations for achieving both salvation and spiritual growth. Legalists believe in and demand a strict literal adherence to rules and regulations. Doctrinally, it is a position essentially opposed to grace. Those who hold a legalistic position often fail to see the real purpose for law, especially the purpose of the Old Testament law of Moses, which is to be our “schoolmaster” or “tutor” to bring us to Christ (Galatians 3:24).

Even true believers can be legalistic. We are instructed, rather, to be gracious to one another: “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters” (Romans 14:1). Sadly, there are those who feel so strongly about non-essential doctrines that they will run others out of their fellowship, not even allowing the expression of another viewpoint. That, too, is legalism. Many legalistic believers today make the error of demanding unqualified adherence to their own biblical interpretations and even to their own traditions. For example, there are those who feel that to be spiritual one must simply avoid tobacco, alcoholic beverages, dancing, movies, etc. The truth is that avoiding these things is no guarantee of spirituality.

The apostle Paul warns us of legalism in Colossians 2:20-23: “Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: ‘Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!’? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.” Legalists may appear to be righteous and spiritual, but legalism ultimately fails to accomplish God’s purposes because it is an outward performance instead of an inward change.

To avoid falling into the trap of legalism, we can start by holding fast to the words of the apostle John, “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17) and remembering to be gracious, especially to our brothers and sisters in Christ. “Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand” (Romans 14:4). “You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat” (Romans 14:10).

A word of caution is necessary here. While we need to be gracious to one another and tolerant of disagreement over disputable matters, we cannot accept heresy. We are exhorted to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints (Jude 3). If we remember these guidelines and apply them in love and mercy, we will be safe from both legalism and heresy. “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).

 

[donnA]

we've had people on here before who told us we had to earn God's grace by following rules, their false interpetation of scripture, and if we didn't it was questionable if we were saved. if you have do things to earn anything(salvation, grace, love) from God, it's legalism.

 

[Berean]

Thanks to each of you for your response. May God bless you.

 

[SolaSaint]

I thought this statement "Legalism could be definied as any attempt to rely on self-effort to either attain or maintain our justification before God." by annsni was best. I like to think of legalism as "anti-grace".

 

[Tom Butler]

I don't know how other churches saw it, but the one I serve went through a period in the 1970s where it had a certain set of rules to measure your spirituality (if not your salvation.)

It was the usual stuff: Hair length, skirt length, soul-winning, number of services you attended during the week. For some reason, card-playing, movies and TV were not on our list.

At one point, if you weren't pre-trib you were in trouble because you didn't believe the Bible.

As time went by, our church folks soon moved beyond such legalism. We're still pretty conservative and fundamental but don't call ourselves fundamentalist.

 

[Gina B]

Would some one explain what is meant by the term legalist or Legalism. I hear this term thrown around a lot. I have a vague idea and correct me if I'm wrong. Obedience because you are commanded to do so= legalism; Obedience out of love= not legalism. Please try and give an objective definition.

Examples of legalism as applied to ordinary people in their everyday lives:

"If you are female and wear jeans, you're a weak Christian."

"If you buy from a store that sells a certain cola product, which is manufactured by a company that hires gays, you need to repent."


Obedience because you are commanded to is not legalism. It is simply a sign of immaturity, which is a normal stage.

Obedience out of love is amazing. In some matters, it takes time. Individuals have their pet likes and dislikes. This means that some of us obey simply because we have to, but grow into doing it out of love later on.
And sometimes there are things you just always do out of obedience rather than love, even if you know the stupidity of your own desires.
I'd love to smoke after a stressful day of working. I don't because it's wrong. I harbor some resentment over not being able to, although I know it's FOR MY OWN BENEFIT that God told us not to do things that are harmful to our bodies. That's my weakness. It will probably always be an obedience thing with me rather than a love thing.

But if someone reads this and says I'm not a Christian because of this, that would be legalism. If they tell me smoking is wrong and that I could be a better Christian if I didn't feel a temptation to smoke when I'm stressed, that would correct and I'd totally agree.

That's how it works for the majority of us. There's the bigger deeper meaning, but that could go in the theology forum and doesn't really affect us as much emotionally as the more literal application of it does, and the majority of unsaved turned away when they view this more physical side of it so that's the one we usually talk about.

 

[dcorbett]

Those of us that are fundamentalists are quite often accused of legalism by those who haven't been convicted in certain areas. Being saved by grace doesn't give a person license to sin, remember that.

For instance, I have long been convicted by I Corinthians 8:8-9 as it deals with how you should behave in front of your peers.....if someone who is not a Christian sees you doing something that they don't think is Christian behavior, it becomes a stumbling block for them. You might not find it wrong, but by doing it, you are harming your testimony, so you shouldn't do it! Some would say I am legalistic because I believe that, as Christians, we should walk seperately from the world.

I think that sometimes there is a hint of jealousy there, don't you?

 

[Scarlett O.]

Those of us that are fundamentalists are quite often accused of legalism by those who haven't been convicted in certain areas. Being saved by grace doesn't give a person license to sin, remember that.

Thanks for the reminder. I don't think that anyone here who has contributed to the thread believes in a license to sin.

For instance, I have long been convicted by I Corinthians 8:8-9 as it deals with how you should behave in front of your peers.....if someone who is not a Christian sees you doing something that they don't think is Christian behavior, it becomes a stumbling block for them.

I am convicted about that, too. That's why I don't drink.

But I do wear pants in front of women who only wear dresses. There are some Pentecostal women who teach at my school (one of them has my class right now at the computer lab). I'm not going to stop wearing dress pants and jackets to work simply because they don't. My pants are not going to make them stumble.

I don't think that the thread here is talking about doing things that would make others stumble.

You might not find it wrong, but by doing it, you are harming your testimony, so you shouldn't do it! Some would say I am legalistic because I believe that, as Christians, we should walk seperately from the world.

Of course we should be separate from the world! :thumbsup:

However, if a woman finds my testimony for Christ damaged because I wear pants and shop at Wal-Mart and it damages her walk with Christ, then that is her problem. I cannot go around dresses only, abstaining from shopping at Wal-Mart, and living HER lifestyle merely to appease HER.

I am to appease Christ.

Now, certainly, I understand about drinking. I think that drinking wine is permissible. However, I absolutely abstain. I don't won't anyone to see me and believe that all liquor and even drunkeness is acceptable simply because they see me drink a glass of wine. Here, I yield to the weaker brother.

I think that sometimes there is a hint of jealousy there, don't you?

I'm not understanding who is supposed to be jealous of whom here.

 

[donnA]

we aren't supose to live someone else's convictions, if we do we ignore our own convictions. Many try to teach their personal convictions as if they were scripture, even to the point of twisting scripture to try and make people do what they say.

 

[donnA]

Being saved by grace doesn't give a person license to sin, remember that.

Since no one has siad it sis, I don't understand your comment.

Those of us that are fundamentalists are quite often accused of legalism by those who haven't been convicted in certain areas

Your personal convictions are no everyone's personal convictions. God knows where we are and what we need to be brought more into the image of Christ, He convicts based on His knowledge os uf, then we try to push it off on someone else, trying to do god's job of convicting, shouldn't we just leave it up to God, it is His job after all.

that they don't think is Christian behavior

see heres the problem,, we let others dictate to us whats christian whats not, and that not based on scripture, but thier preception of it, assigning their convictions to others, instead of letting God guide us through scripture and Him convicting us. Again [people trying to do God's job for Him, as if He needs help and can't do it on His own.

it becomes a stumbling block for them

if they are judging based on personal preference of what 'looks' christian, then it should be a stumbling block, they've added to or changed scripture to suit themselves instead of listening to God.

You might not find it wrong

again, scripture. what does scripture say about it, don't let others lead your relatioship with God, only you can do that.

I think that sometimes there is a hint of jealousy there, don't you?

who is jealous of what?

 

[Trotter]

I have lived under legalism, but that was then. I have freedom in Christ and am answerable to Him alone. That doesn't mean that I can do as I please, but it does mean I only have His prohibitions in my life and not someone else's.

There are some things that I do that would be considered legalism if I told someone else they had to do it. For instance, my wife and I do not go to restaurants that serve any form of alcohol. It is a personal conviction for us that we came to quite a while ago. It irks some who want to go out to eat with us, but they are free to go elsewhere; we do not force them to not go where ever they want to go.

I will not write in my bible. This is a personal conviction of mine, as I see it defacing God's word. I have no problem with anyone else writing in their bible and would not think of trying to tell them they are a weak Christian or unsaved because of it.

I have been told that I must use a specific bible translation, that I must wear specific clothes to church, that I must have my hair this short and be clean-shaven. I have been scolded for raising my hands in worship, for praying aloud, for praying silently (both int he same church). I have been called down for questioning the preacher about something preached from the pulpit that, from what I could tell, did not line up with the bible (not during the sermon, mind you). Sorry, but no thanks. I have no use for man-made requirements.

 

[Robert Snow]

Those of us that are fundamentalists are quite often accused of legalism by those who haven't been convicted in certain areas. Being saved by grace doesn't give a person license to sin, remember that.

For instance, I have long been convicted by I Corinthians 8:8-9 as it deals with how you should behave in front of your peers.....if someone who is not a Christian sees you doing something that they don't think is Christian behavior, it becomes a stumbling block for them. You might not find it wrong, but by doing it, you are harming your testimony, so you shouldn't do it! Some would say I am legalistic because I believe that, as Christians, we should walk separately from the world.

I think that sometimes there is a hint of jealousy there, don't you?

More often a feeling of pity more than jealousy.

 

[stilllearning]

I once had a missionary tell me...........
“A legalist is someone who has more standards than I do.”

He was half right.

Standards are good, if they are Bible standards.
--------------------------------------------------
When you are following man’s instructions: This is legalism.
When you are following the Lord’s instructions: This is sanctification!

 

[Peggy]

A couple of examples of legalism that really irk me are "women should not cut their hair" and "women should not wear pants". These seem to be common convictions in some areas of fundamentalism.

From what I have figured out, somehow a woman wearing pants incites lust in the hearts of men who see her. I say if a man can't control himself it is his problem, not hers.

 

[Tom Butler]

I think I can pinpoint when opposition ceased in our church to women wearing pants.

When mini-skirts came in. We were ecstatic when they started wearing slacks instead of the mini-skirts.

 

[dcorbett]

More often a feeling of pity more than jealousy.

I don't want or need your pity. I am happy in my walk, I grow daily in Christ. I don't need your sarcasm or your judgemental remarks as a result.

 

[dcorbett]

Sisters Scarlett and Donna, my sisters in Christ,

I never mentioned pants - I only mentioned what the Bible says about stumbling blocks. THAT is where liberals fall away from fundamentalists...we see those stumbling blocks as big issues for potential and fledgling Christians who haven't yet learned that all your righteousness is as filthy rags. So we tend to try and present good examples, aspiring to achieve Christ-like behavior so that others who don't yet understand GRACE will node and say 'They behave like Christians" - yes, we ask, what does a Christian behave like??? I shook hands with
a visitor at church Sunday night, introduced myself, and she said "Oh, you are that nice lady on Natalie's facebook page!" and I prayed a silent prayer of relief that I had behaved like a Christian when I didn't know who was watching!

I don't wear pants to church. I have always said that I want to elevate myself to a level of reverence, and pants make me feel casual - I don't want church worship to EVER be casual, I want to hold Almighty God in complete respect and reverence. If you want to wear pants to church, git on wif yur bad self!!! But its not for me. I am a jeans and tee shirt gal everywhere else BUT church.

And the topic of football broadcasted at church!!! I think that shows a total lack of respect for God's house. (That comes in from another thread where I had sarcastic remarks posted about me being a legalist)

Where does one draw the line on what behavior is acceptable? I use the Bible as a guide. If my study shows me that it is wrong to bring the world into the church, then it is NOT legalism, it is Bible conviction.

My comment about jealousy? If the shoes fits, but I don't believe it does in either of your cases, so don't fret it.