DISCLAIMER:
I’m not sure why we are given to such extremes as humans, but we tend to either fall for one extreme or another. The topic of legalism is one such example. People generally tend to fall in one of two camps- the first being those who are quick to call any and everything that challenges them or threatens the freedoms of their flesh legalism. The other camp is of those who are afraid to even admit that there is such a thing as christian liberty and believe liberty is synonymous with sin/immorality. Interestingly, what both camps have in common is they seem to have this invisible line, with liberty on one end beyond which lies sin, and holiness on the other. Thus, both are preoccupied with staying within the bounds and not crossing over into the threshold they’ve labeled sin. Thankfully there’s a scripture that perfectly addresses both camps:
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. “- Galatians 5:13
In this particular post, I write against legalism so I want to be crystal clear that the above scripture describes where I stand and what I believe. In writing against legalism, I am by no means condoning a life of lawlessness; and I believe careful reading of this post will reveal that. I just want to throw this disclaimer out there because of this human tendency to read into things what isn’t always there. There’s no need to presume what I’m saying because I say exactly what I mean. On the topic of Christian liberty, my firm belief is that a Christian should always err on the side of holiness and understand the purpose for the freedom we have in Christ. That freedom isn’t for the sake of gratifying the flesh and making ourselves slaves to the flesh. My favorite scripture on this subject matter can be found in 1 Corinthians 6:12 and 10:23 respectively:
“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “all things are lawful, “but not all things build up.”
“All things are lawful for me,”but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,”but I will not be dominated by anything.”
OUR VIEW OF GOD AFFECTS HOW WE LIVE
Legalism isn’t just different from holiness, it is the enemy of holiness. Legalism, which is self-dependent, is motivated solely by a desire to avoid punishment and thus is self-seeking. It is a threat to the intimacy that holiness is rooted in. Holiness on the other hand is literally “I love Him because He first loved me” made manifest in practical ways. It is a result of knowing God and knowing Him intimately, loving Him out of an abundance of knowing Him, and compelled by a love for Him. Holiness still requires a reverential fear of God for sure but it is not simply a matter of living a particular way SOLELY to avoid punishment. The believer that struggles with Legalism sees God as the highway patrol officer who hides in the bush waiting for a driver to misbehave so he could pounce on him and hand him a ticket. In contrast, The believer who walks in true holiness sees God as a good Father- He is not to be crossed and disobedience will result in discipline BUT there’s such an assurance of love and a friendship such as can only exist between a parent and child. This God isn’t just waiting for the child to fail so he can punish him but enjoys having the child, loving on the child and wanting the child to succeed. This God is like the Father who is constantly wanting to hug their child, kiss them, have them on His lap, cuddle with them, guiding them in which path leads to life, disciplining the child like the good Shepherd who guides his sheep with his rod and staff so they stay on the right way. Which of these two versions of God is your view of Him? Jesus had a huge problem with the Pharisees and their legalism. Their actions weren’t rooted in love for God much less love for others.
“The believer who walks in true holiness sees God as a good Father- He is not to be crossed and disobedience will result in discipline BUT there’s such an assurance of love and a friendship such as can only exist between a parent and child.”
Interestingly, when a Pharisee questions Jesus about the greatest commandment, Jesus does not mention any law. He does not single out any commandment. Rather, He simply says “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39) That in itself is very telling of the form of godliness that pleases God- one that is rooted first in love for Him, and love for others. It is righteousness that is a fruit of abiding in Him, not apart from Him. That kind of righteousness is a result of work that He Himself is doing in us as we submit to His process of sanctification. In 2 Peter 1:3 we read,
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.” (2 Peter 1:3, emphasis mine)
So it is evident here in this verse that godliness is not meant to be achieved by our own striving apart from God. It is by His divine power and guess what? It is through knowledge of Him! This is precisely why legalism is a threat to true Holiness. Legalism takes God out of the equation as the source of righteousness and puts man in His place.
Legalism omits relationship with God and getting to know God, and thus with the shallow view of God, treats God as One that must be avoided especially in times of weakness. Because the mean God that we have created in our minds who is just waiting around ready to pounce on whoever falls short, surely must want nothing to do with us in our struggles against sin. Meanwhile, what scripture does say is “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16, emphasis mine)
We cannot impress God with our own futile efforts. God is so holy that even our very thoughts can be an affront to Him. We can only please Him as we partake of His divine nature and through His work in us. It is not of our own merit.
Legalism might look very strict and proper on the outside but inwardly, it is beneath the mark God calls us to. Jesus kept addressing the Pharisees regarding this- they were very polished, prim and proper on the outside. They donned robes that communicated that they were set apart, robes that brought them lots of attention. Meanwhile on the inside they were plain nasty. Jesus even said that they didn’t know Him or the Father (John 8:19) They were busy judging others yet they themselves didn’t even know God. Jesus says to them:
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” – Matthew 23: 25-28
God desires for us to be partakers of the divine nature. In other words, it is a matter of intimacy. It is not a matter of how many things I can do right in my own strength so that I can be on God’s good side. It is rather about pursuing intimacy with God, wanting to know Him and as we know Him we can’t help but love Him, and as we love Him, we will want to please Him.
GOD DESIRES INTIMACY
God isn’t just interested in obedient robots or servants. He desires children because relationship matters to Him. He didn’t create man just to have someone who would obey Him, for He already had that in the angels. All throughout scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, we see repeatedly that God seeks relationship with man. Relationship and intimacy matters and has always mattered to Him. Holiness is a direct result of abiding in Him, being intimate with Him. It is for this reason that it was not enough for Him that the Israelites had the law. It was not enough for Him that the veil separated them from the Holy of holies. It was not enough for Him that He walked alongside man. He wanted more…access to His very presence, being inside man by way of the Holy Spirit…INTIMACY.
“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. “- John 1:12-14, emphasis mine.
OUR VIEW OF GOD AFFECTS OUR RELATIONSHIPS
Our view of God matters. It affects not only our personal relationship (or lack of relationship for that matter) to Him but also affects how we present Him to others and how we live with others. The legalist doesn’t walk in love for others though his actions may superficially resemble that. The legalist is obsessed with finding faults in others with no real commitment to loving them enough to help them overcome. The legalist’s form of judgment is unproductive. Because legalism is rooted in performance and self-righteousness, the legalist sees the sins and shortcomings of others as validation of his superiority. The legalist does not mourn the sins of others, but rather rejoices in finding faults, even if it’s not a matter of sin but simply personal expectation.
On the contrary, the believer who seeks true holiness desires the same for his brother. His ‘judgment’ isn’t a matter of “I’m better than you and look how evil you are” but a matter of “my brother is struggling and when my brother fails, I fail. Let me help my brother.” This person is bound to even cry and interceed prayerfully for you. This person is so obviously motivated by love- first for God and for His brother.
I conclude with this- we are called to make disciples of Jesus, not disciples of ourselves. We must guard against the temptation of trying to mold people into our likeness. In judging, we are called to hold people to God’s standards, not our personal standards. People are not our personal projects, they are God’s project. They are HIS masterpiece and are meant to display HIS glory. Righteous judgment then isn’t a matter of personal preference but a matter of coming alongside God the Holy Spirit to form the life of Christ in people.
In His Love& Light, Ivy
*The theme(s) present in this blogpost is influenced by my upcoming book. Portions of this post are direct excerpts from the book and thus are protected by copyright laws. You may share this post but only in its entirety. Please do not share isolated portions of this post without my given consent. – Ivy Dika