Legalism. What is it? There is no verse in the Bible that starts out, "The definition of legalism is ....." Nor does the Bible even use the term. Among Christians the definition of legalism varies as much as a person's own individual theology varies. If you type legalism into your search engine you will see definitions that sound a lot like this; legalism is "a doctrinal position emphasizing a system of rules and regulations for achieving both salvation and spiritual growth." A radio pastor described legalism as being "when your opinion becomes my obligation." That led me to wonder, "Who defines what is an opinion and what is a fact?" As you and I know everybody has a Bible verse or two to pull out to justify their "opinion." And, of course, when you are doing that everybody who disagrees with your "opinion" must be wrong or guilty of heresy or false teaching. With that said, I can offer my own definition of legalism. To me, legalism is when a Christian must obtain or maintain through works that which God has freely given them through faith in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul said, "Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh ... (Philippians 3:2-3)." Paul had some pretty harsh words for those who, as he put it, put confidence in their flesh. He called them "dogs," "men who do evil" and "mutilators of the flesh." I have to believe he was referring to the Pharisees and perhaps "legalistic" Christians; specifically those who preached that one must be circumcised in order to be saved. Many early Christians believed that a Gentile must first become a Jew before they are saved. Something Paul knew was unnecessary and was not in line with the true Gospel message of faith alone in Jesus Christ.
However, how many Christians today are taught, not to be circumcised, but that they have to be water baptized, tithe, live sinless lives of obedience and repentance to laws, religious tenants, church doctrine, etc., gain membership in a church and so on in order to be considered saved or be pleasing to God? It is as one person correctly said, "Levitical Light." In other words, it is a modern day form of Pharisaical Judaism. It is doing nothing more than putting confidence in the flesh. Paul went on to say, "If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more. circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless (Philippians 3:4-6)." It is interesting to note that what Paul said he had attained, legastic righteousness, would have made him a superstar in most modern churches; an example to strive to emulate. Yet, what did Paul call it? "I... count them but dung (Philippians 3:8 KJV)." He said his efforts were crap, to be frank. Yet, Christians believe it is this type of behavior that God rewards, that God expects from us and that God rewards! Paul called it "dung" because it was all done in an effort to establish his own self-righteousness. Self-righteousness is nothing more than when a person believes, dare I say deceives, themselves into believing they have found a way to be obedient to God by their own works. It is religious pride. There is only two types of righteousness; self-righteousness and the righteousness of Jesus Christ. One comes from putting confidence in your flesh and the other comes from putting confidence in the finished work of Jesus Christ. You can't have both. You are totally forgiven, holy, sanctified, justified, accepted, loved and have eternal life because of your faith in the work of Jesus Christ on your behalf not because of your own misguided attempts to get through works what you already have freely been given through faith. You didn't earn your salvation by your works, you can't live the Christian life by works and you can't keep your inheritance in Christ by works. You were saved by faith in Christ and you live by faith in Christ. You are already righteous in the eyes of God because of what Jesus Christ did for you. Rest in that and be thankful. "But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith (Galatians 3:11)." Stop working and start resting.
No comments:
Post a Comment