"Legalism." The term has all sorts of connotations and arouses all sorts of adverse emotions but actually "legality" is a wonderful idea. It means that there is a standard and just recompense to worthy actions. Civilization is built upon it. Even our salvation is graciously given because it was legally purchased and thus justly offered through the death of Jesus. Hell will be a legal and just recognition. The Bema or Judgment Seat of Christ is a recompense or reward of "deeds done in the body." Simple legalism is divine.
But when does it become errant? Church history has been one of errant views of recompense. When this error is present it yields black mold that poisons all within.
First, there is what we would call "Hard Shell" legalism. It is classic errant legalism - salvation by works. It is that which the gospel confronts. That which grace dispels. It is the idea expressed whenever one is asked how he knows he will go to heaven. The answer of "I have done my best - loved my family - never killed anyone." This is hard shell legalism. This person demands heaven as the legal just recompense of an obedient life. It is against this self-righteous idea that the book of Romans organizes its assault. Remember that Exodus is followed by Leviticus; law is followed by grace and sacrifice. God never even hints that heaven can be earned. Hard Shell legalism fosters a low view of God and a false view of me.
The next we would call "Hard Hearted" legalism. This type feels that God loves them based upon their obedience. When walking correctly I am loved but when in sin I am not, which in the final evaluation means that I am not truly loved because a love that comes and goes is not truly love by any standard. The biggest problem with this attitude is not that I am always now struggling to be loved, but rather that I will feel accepted when obedient. And thus I will inevitably begin to "superficialize" biblical obedience into that which is attainable. I will become a Pharisee by explaining away the spiritual heart of obedience. "Hard Hearted" legalism will not just be neurotic ("He loves me, He loves me not") but it will make one grotesquely self-righteous. Not that I am never able to feel accepted but that I think that I am because of what I myself have judged as acceptable. Hard hearted indeed. God's image will be changed into this person's likeness.
And then we have "Hard Headed" legalism. This is one who feels he is holier-than-thou because he has canonized a personal, non-biblical area. What should be just personal conviction he makes a Biblical maxim. He has become his own Sinai and created an area that he conveniently happens to obey.
He places himself above others because he is a tea-totaler, attends a Wednesday night service or because she does not wear make-up. This type of legalism at times can be seen in those who confuse the Old and New Testaments; those who confuse the church with Israel and fail to distinguish moral law with ceremonial and hygienic law. They feel more acceptable because of Saturday worship, a Levitical diet code (no pork, no catfish), or total cessation of Sunday activities. These folks are a little more exotic than the previous legalists. They are those to whom Galatians was written.
There is another form of legalism that is a little more insidious. It is called "Hard and Fast" legalism. This person's life is not so much the love of God and love of others but just a "hard and fast" code of rules. They attend church, read a certain amount daily, pray at meals, tithe a tenth, and go to revival. Their God is a list. They feel self-satisfied and complacent because they have measured to the lowest expectation and no more. Often their prayer is, "I thank Thee, O God, that I am not like other men." How much better to say, "forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on..."
How much deeper joy shall we have who understand God's grace. Not "Hard Shell" but those who trust fully upon God's grace, who put no confidence in the flesh and glory in none but Jesus! Not "Hard Hearted" but who know that all our acceptance is through the work of Christ. Who know that we are loved always by God. Maybe we are not always pleasing to God but we are always loved. Our usefulness may increase but our position in Christ stays constant and secure: loved no more when good, no less when bad. Chastened maybe, loved forever. Just like our own children. And we are not "Hard Headed." Our personal non-biblical convictions may differ because of a great number of reasons but we know that is just what they are - personal convictions. In no way do they elevate us above those who hold differently. We are not better because we follow rules, and thus we are not "Hard and Fast." In short, a person of grace has no struggles with legalism because grace by definition runs contrary to legality or earning what you have. We rest in our acceptance before God through nothing else but Jesus. Thus grace makes for some very kind and humble and congenial folks.
Where grace is not present, however, its vacuum will be filled by a growing noxious fungus of legalism. Check the hymnal and see that there are no songs of us - only of Jesus.
Sola Gloria Deo,
Tommy
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