Legalism: The Un-Sin

Introduction

Be advised, the devil has concocted a number of diabolical schemes through the years to ensnare God’s people. A most successful gambit was the invention of the pseudo sin called legalism. You remember the commercial of forty years ago? Jeffrey Holder, who was in at least one James Bond movie. The un cola. I remember he had a head unlike, well, a lot like Mike’s and Woody’s, as I recall. And yet more people consider legalism to be a sin than consider up to be a cola. But are they mistaken about that? Legalism and legalists in our time have become very dirty spiritual words that are negatively charged in the minds of people. You can’t possibly be right if someone considers you a legalist, or you’re guilty of the sin of legalism.

But my question this morning is perhaps legalism is now the unsin of our time. And I would say about that if somebody says, Well, you’re a legalist. Charges prove very little. Jesus said, Blessed are you when men cast all manner of insults at you on account of me. Jesus realized that people would foolishly charge his people as they charged him. He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons. Matthew 12, 24. Are you serious? Does that work? He binds the demon realm as he is given power by the ruler of the demons? Is that possible? A house divided against itself cannot stand, Jesus said. But not only did they say wrong things about Jesus as they say wrong things about his followers, Paul dealt with that too.

He was maliciously reported to have taught, let us do evil that good may come. Romans chapter 3 and verse 8. And in essence, Paul is saying in the book of Romans, I didn’t teach that, but that’s the charge. I am saying, let us do evil that good may come. And really that’s what this lesson’s about as we talk about legalism. That keeping the law of God doesn’t matter. As some would say, let’s continue in sin, that grace may abound. And Paul answers that. He says, May it never be later in the book of Romans in Romans chapter 6, verses 1 and 2. And in regard to Paul’s rejection and persecution, in the context of the latter part of 2 Corinthians, he says about that devil I mentioned.

1. What Do You Mean by Legalism?

And no wonder, because he transforms himself into an angel of light. In 2 Corinthians 11 and verse 14. But what about this issue of legalism? The strictest definition of the term, as supplied by Webster’s dictionary, strict, literal, or excessive conformity to the law or to a religious or moral code. Well, that definition encompasses a lot. To be strict in the need that you feel to keep the law is one thing, or to be literal about conformity to the law is one thing, but to be excessive is something else. Wikipedia offers this very long definition. Well, first let me say this. If somebody says to me, Tony, you think then that we need to emphasize God’s rules, I’m guilty of that. As I will demonstrate in a minute.

If by legalists you mean, Tony, you think we’ve got to keep God’s rules, guilty. But if when you use that term about me and what I believe, that I believe in the justification of an individual on the basis of rule keeping, I don’t believe that. I’m not guilty of that. If that’s what you mean by legalism, but I believe one is justified by keeping the rules of God perfectly. No, I’m not guilty of that. I’m not a legalist in that sense. But if that’s the way you define legalism, yes, I am. Now let’s get back to this definition that I’ve got ahead of myself and mention. Legalism in Christian theology is a pejorative term. Oh, I like that. Belittling. Hey, we’re Stephen. He’s out in the foyer.

That’s a good word. You can start using that one, Stephen. Pejorative. Belittling, derogatory, disparaging term, referring to an overemphasis on law or codes of conduct or legal ideas, usually implying an allegation of misguided rigor. I like that. Pride, superficiality, the neglect of mercy, and ignorance of the grace of God are emphasizing the letter of the law over the Spirit. Legalism is alleged against any view that obedience to law, not faith in God’s grace, is the preeminent principle of redemption. Well, that’s a mouthful. And we could spend a lot of time just looking at this, but I want to show you a few things in this definition of legalism. First, this word emphasis and overemphasis. Again, like I just said in the questions I raised a moment ago.

If you’re going to say we should emphasize the law of God and keeping his rules, again, I’m guilty. Is it possible of being guilty of an overemphasis? Perhaps. If we’re inconsistent. But, okay, that’s enough of that. Now, misguided rigor. Yes, rigor can be misguided, but see, a lot of folks want to take all rigor out of it completely. And yet Jesus uses such words as diligence and strive. Many will strive to enter even and not be able.

So rigor is not bad. Perhaps there can be a misguided rigor, and it’s certainly if it’s fueled by pride, our rigor and determination to keep the laws of God is not about self-elevation or self-promotion, but it’s about pleasing God, as we shall see in a minute. And this neglect of mercy, if truly that’s what we’re guilty of. We talked about mercy this morning in the book of Jude, and I am so thankful for his mercy, as we’ll mention in a moment. Here’s the phrase in this that sort of bothers me, though. The letter of the law over the spirit. What is that exactly? What is the spirit of the law versus the letter of the law? You hear that phrase a lot when the term legalism comes up.

I would like to find some expert who could tell me what the spirit of the law is every time in reference to the letter of the law. Again, I think that phraseology comes to us out of 2 Corinthians and is misunderstood in that text. Legalism is the alleged, is alleged against any view that obedience to law, not faith in God’s grace, is the preeminent principle of redemption. I just want to tell you that obedience and faith in God’s grace are not exclusive terms. They’re not opposed to each other. Obedience and the grace of God work hand in hand. So let me just say about this definition. It’s loaded with stuff. Some of which is good and some of which is not good. But here’s the issue.

2. Are God's Rules Optional?

After all the charges have been leveled, you know, Tony, that’s Scott Wiggington’s a legalist. Tony, you’re a legalist. The issue is not a charge. The issue is what do the scriptures say about a right approach to God? And what do the scriptures suggest about God’s rules? Are God’s rules for living? And here’s the real issue. And here’s the issue about rules and the way the term legalism gets introduced. Are rules for living, are they optional? Are they unnecessary? And if God’s rules are belittled, does that mean that justification by faith means absolutely no requirements at all. Now, if you’re going to emphasize the rules, then you’re a legalist, but okay, so let’s remove the rules. So there’s no requirements at all. And if that’s so, then you are forced to the conclusion of universal salvation.

If rules don’t matter at all, then everybody’s automatically saved by Jesus’ work on the cross. Well, if that’s the case, why does Paul say things like he does in 1 Corinthians 15 1 and 2? And the interesting thing I’ve always thought about this verse is that he says it not to the unbeliever.

He’s writing this to Christians. And he says to them, now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preach to you, and I want to tell you they can call me a legalist all day long, but I want to preach that gospel. The gospel that Paul preached, the gospel which I preach to you, which also you received. And here’s something interesting. In which also you stand. They’re standing in it. They’re doing something. They’re standing in the gospel by which also you are saved. Oh, but here you need to underscore circle, highlight, whatever it is you’re going to do, Mike, whatever we’re going to do in our Bibles the next quarter. This word if you need to take a look at this. By which also you are saved if you hold fast the word which I preach to you.

Unless you believed in vain. Call Paul a legalist. Call him whatever you want. He said, Brethren, you stand in this gospel that I preach, you stand in this word, and you hold it fast if you want to be saved. By which you are saved if you hold fast the word which I preach to you, unless you believed, and that’s some action in the past, pointing to their conversion to the Lord, unless you believe in vain. Now tell me what good is coming of something if you believed in vain. And we just go back a few chapters earlier to chapter 9 and verse 24, when Paul talks about running in a race and all run, but only one receives the prize, and then he says, run in such a way that you may win.

Sounds like some response to the rules is involved here. Doesn’t that sound that way to you? Run in such a way that you may win. And he talks about himself and the need to exercise self-control, lest after I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. It’s possible, Paul says, that I could run in vain, that I could become disqualified if I do not exercise self-control. Is that one of God’s rules? That apparently he expects Paul to keep. Paul and Peter and every other New Testament writer, as we’ll mention John in a moment, spoke of conditional salvation. That must mean that rules and obedience to some of the rules at least are involved in one’s right response to God, because if that’s not the case, then again, everybody’s saved.

Everybody. God, and here’s the rub. This is the misunderstanding, I think that fuels some of this. Well, but God loves everybody. Oh, he does. God commanded his love toward us, and that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. He loved the ungodly. He loved the world. He so loved the world, John 3 and verse 16. God loves everybody unconditionally. Isn’t it great? I can say to this audience, it doesn’t matter if there’s 150 people here or a million people here. God loves you. He does. He loves everybody. I could go down to the prison and announce to all those criminals, God loves you. Everybody in Tombaugh. It’s hard to believe, I know. That was funny. That’s better. God loves everybody. He loves everybody. God loves all people unconditionally.

But he does not save unconditionally. Wouldn’t it be great? If everybody could be saved. God would have all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy chapter 2 and verse 4. But Jesus made it evident that everybody would not choose it. They would not respond appropriately to the rules. There’s a broad gate and a broad way that leads to destruction. Many are going in thereat. There is a narrow gate and a narrow way that leads to life, and few there be that find it. God’s making it so people can’t find the way. No. God is no respecter of persons. That would be a respecter of persons. He showed Martha how to get there, but he didn’t show other people. That’s not what he’s saying in Matthew chapter 7.

He wants all men to be saved. He has given them all opportunity, but people reject it. Acts chapter 10. And this gets right to the heart of this whole legalism charge and emphasizing the rules. When Peter says to Cornelius, God is no respecter of persons. In every nation.

God is no respecter of persons. In every nation, he who fears God and does what is right. Oh. Some rules involved there. He who fears God and does what is right is accepted of him or welcome to him. And so I want to talk to you for a moment. Legalism, well, I guess it depends on what you mean by that term and how you define it. That’s why I put legalism, the unseen question mark. If you’re just talking about an emphasis on rules, guilty. But if you’re talking about salvation on the basis of a perfect response to God, no, I don’t believe that. But we must emphasize the rules properly. I want to share something with you. This might be overlooked. Those first disciples in the book of Acts, most of you are familiar with the beginning of the gospel being preached in 3,000 souls who gladly received the word, incidentally.

3. They Responded to God's Rules

They gladly received the word. They responded to the message. They responded to God’s rules or law. And by the way, and I’ll go ahead and throw this in. It’s a little premature. I was going to get to it later. They had asked the question, men and brethren, what shall we do? Remember when they were pierced to their heart about the message. Men and brethren, what shall we do? Oh, you don’t have to do anything. God’s already done it all. Jesus died on the cross, it’s all done. But again, that’s universal salvation. But that’s not what they said. They didn’t correct the audience. Whenever the question is asked, what shall I do? It’s asked three times in the book of Acts. Saul of Tarsus asked it once, and he was told by the Lord Himself go into Damascus, and it will be told you what you must do.

They said, What shall we do? And they said, Repent. I must do, repent. And be baptized. I must do. Be baptized. For, and if I do repent and be baptized, for the forgiveness of sins. Whatever you think the gospel is and how God justifies, they did not go into a great theological discussion about justification on the day of Pentecost. People asked, what do we need to do? And they said, repent and be baptized, and you’ll be saved. And that’s what people did. Case closed. They responded to the apostles’ rules. And incidentally, thank you. Incidentally, they said further. Save yourselves. And in many other words, they testified, save yourselves from this wicked and perverse generation. And those that gladly received his word were baptized. And they were added that day about 3,000 souls.

They responded to this message. They did what God instructed them to do. And then notice what these early disciples did. And we sometimes look at that verse. They were devoted to the breaking of bread and prayer. I’m going to tell you, this model is important. What did early Christians do? That’s what we need to be doing. And we sometimes just skip on, oh, yeah, they were dedicated to the message of the apostles. But what is that telling us about God’s law and God’s rules in the new covenant? They were devoted to the apostles’ teaching. Satan must have noticed this. And at some point, he becomes aware, these apostles being Jewish Christians, and they’re teaching Jewish Christians that they could not rely on obedience to the law of Moses to save them.

It would do no good to strictly follow the law of Moses. There’s no power or salvation in that. That must have been when he hatched the scheme. He knew that he if he could convince Christians that the apostolic warnings against becoming entangled again with a yoke of bondage, Galatians 5 and verse 1, if I was talking about strictly keeping the commands of Jesus rather than the law, well he could get them not to be concerned about keeping commandments. He thought, man. They believed that to be a faithful Christian, you don’t have to be overly concerned about the rules. But Paul and the apostle were talking about the law of Moses. And even if you kept the law of Moses perfectly, which no man did, there could be no salvation in that.

We needed a system of justification by faith. That’s what they were talking about. They weren’t saying the rules no longer matter, but Satan hatches his scheme. Don’t need to be too concerned about the rules anymore. That’s what’s different. But Jesus said, He who rejects me and does not receive what I say has one that judges him. The words that I have spoken shall judge him in the last day. And so people come along now, even today, and here’s what one teacher said stringently striving to obey Christian rules and regulations doesn’t enable the spirit-filled walk. It often kills it. And his book, Freed from Legalism by Neil Anderson, and he quotes 2 Corinthians 3 and verse 6. The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. That is one of the most twisted and distorted passages.

Remember, Peter talked about people twisting and distorting the words of Paul? That is probably one of the most twisted and distorted passages in all the New Testament. The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Oh, obedience doesn’t matter. Just basking in the Spirit over here is what matters. But he’s very clear in the very next verse what he means by the letter kills. He’s talking specifically about the law of Moses and attempting to be justified by the law. And what he’s saying is that system doesn’t work in justification. Those letters engraved on stones, he says in 2 Corinthians 3 and verse 7, that doesn’t work because no man could keep it perfectly. We needed a different system. The gospel of Christ is a different system. But does that mean that rules no longer matter?

4. The Overall Approach to God Has Not Changed

Listen. Can you explain the difference between justification by law and justification by faith? Maybe not. But I think you understand this. The overall approach to God under both systems is not radically different.

There were some different rules in the law of Moses than in the gospel of Christ. We would immediately think of temple worship, animal sacrifices, tithing, a lot of things like that. Those aren’t a part of the system of justification by faith. But that doesn’t mean that everything’s changed. If I were to ask you, what’s the greatest commandment of the law? You could probably quote that, couldn’t you? Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. Love your neighbor as yourself is likened to it. It’s the second greatest commandment. What is the greatest commandment of the system of justification by faith? Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. Those are quoted in the New Testament.

That hasn’t changed. The overall approach to God has not changed. We sometimes quote Micah. I’ve seen it. It’s Old Testament, but we quote it because it’s about the overall approach to God that hasn’t changed. What does the Lord require of you? Can you finish it? Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God. What did God want under the system of the law of Moses? He wanted the same thing he wants now. From the standpoint of one’s overall response to God. He wants us to walk humbly with him. And if that means in that system to go to the temple and offer sacrifices, that’s what it meant. In our system, it means to listen to the New Testament rules and apply them in our lives. Walk humbly with our God.

The great thing about this is this new system, it incorporates something the old system didn’t have mercy. Mercy for failure. That’s the difference. Overall, his expectations really haven’t changed. In fact, I would even suggest to you that he has greater expectations of us, to whom much is given, much is required. I don’t think his expectations have lessened any.

But now commands all men everywhere to repent. Acts 17 and verse 30 sounds like he has some pretty high expectations. And those disobedience unto the old covenant receive a just recompense. Did you read that in Hebrews 2? As he warns believers of the new covenant, of this justification by faith covenant. We must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. Hebrews 2 and verse 1, for if the word spoken through angels, we’re going back to this old law, proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense. Well, but God’s not like that anymore. That’s what people are saying, you legalists. God’s not like that anymore. How shall we escape? Keep reading. How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?

No, we are even more responsible. I would suggest Hebrews 2, and 3 say that God has even higher expectations of us because more has been given to us. We live on this side of what Christ did for us. But thanks be to God that there is a plan for our imperfection, for our failures.

5. Mercy Is Incorporated in This New System

The basis of salvation is no longer our perfect performance, but his mercy. According to Titus 3 and verse 4. But when his kindness appeared, according to his great mercy. Titus says in Titus 3 and Peter says in 1 Peter chapter 1, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope, Peter says, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, Titus 3, 4 and 5, by the mercy of God. Mercy for our failure. So he said, Oh, I’m still stuck on this rules business. Acts 8, Simon the sorcerer. Know his story? Philip is preaching in Samaria. People are believing and being baptized. Simon was one of them. He was a one who performed wonders, but he had not seen anything like the apostles laying on of hands.

And so when the apostles come down to Peter and John lay on of hands, and people perform these miraculous works of the Holy Spirit, he says, I want some of that. How can I get this? Can I buy it? Can’t be bought with money. Peter says. Simon’s not an apostle. He has neither part nor lot in this matter. Even though he has recently obeyed, he’s a new convert. New converts have a lot to learn. Simon had a lot to learn. Simon makes a mistake. Peter says, What? This is important. If you don’t get anything else that I’ve said about this business of keeping God’s rules, you need to get this. Now, though he has obeyed the gospel, he has believed. At this present moment, Peter says, You’re what?

You’re in the gall of bitterness and the bondage of iniquity. Aren’t you glad you don’t live under that old system? There’d be no hope. If you were going to try to be justified on the basis of perfect performance, Simon, you’ve blown it. But presently you’re in the gall of bitterness and the bondage of iniquity. But wonder of wonders, there’s still hope. Pray that the thought of your heart might be forgiven. You have broken the rules. You’re in the bondage of iniquity, but there’s hope. You see, mercy is incorporated in this new system. Doesn’t mean keeping the rules. It’s not important. Wait a minute, I’m going to get to that yet. If rules don’t matter, we’re going to have to throw out 1 John out of the New Testament.

By this we have come to know him. We keep his commandments. This is the love of God that we keep his commandments. I’ll tell you, I can quote 15 verses in 10. You’re going to have to take 1 John out of the New Testament. And you take Peter out too. And Paul out too. What’s the result of the emphasizing the rules? The rules don’t matter anymore. We’ve been set free. Remember the devil’s hatched the scheme. It’s free in Christ. Rules don’t matter anymore. Somebody can go, well, there are some rules that we need to keep, but which ones are necessary? Who gets to decide the necessary rules? Which verses do you have to keep and which verses can you ignore? Does somebody know the system for that?

Where’s the rules about the rules?

Haven’t been able to figure that one out yet. And again, we go back to this. You need to do something to be saved. Wait a minute. That sounds like an obligation of some sort, a requirement. And yet somebody said, oh, no, there’s only one rule in this new system. See, they struggle to understand how the old system and the new system are different. I tried to explain that to you today. Yeah, a few rules have changed, but the overall response to God is the same as we sang what thou most desirest are humble, thankful hearts. We sang that. That’s what God wants. He wanted that in the old covenant, too. The thing of it is, mercy is incorporated in the new. Somebody comes along.

Well, love’s the only rule. Now, first of all, if you’re going to say love’s the only rule, you could have done that with the old covenant too. Properly defined. This is the love of God that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. See, you can’t get away from the rules, even if you want to say there’s only one rule, the rule of love. You can’t divorce love from rules. Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. 1 Corinthians chapter 13 and verse 6. And I’ll tell you what happens is, once you say, well, you’re a legalist. You folks are emphasizing rules way too much. I’m not emphasizing just rules. I said rules with mercy. But you guys, you’re legalists.

That’s Scott Wiggington. I’m picking on Scott today. He’s the legalist. Emphasizing rules. Okay. So what which ones do we have to do? Which ones actually qualify as love?

What we get down to is we’re at golden corral. Which one of those foods do I like? Which one of those looks like nobody spit in it?

6. Why Emphasize the Rules?

That’s the one I like. That’s the one I’m. I choose that one. I can’t eat all of those meats. Or all of those vegetables. Ooh, those vegetables, kids. Vegetables are good for you. Fruits can’t eat all of that. So I pick the ones I want. That’s what Christian. And doesn’t the devil love that? This is what happens when you do the emphasize the rules. It’s a smorgasbord. Up to you to choose. Which ones. Why emphasize the rules? Thanks be to God that mercy is involved in this new system. But why emphasize the rules? Let me share just a few things who we’ve done this morning. When we keep God’s rules, we need to understand. Young people, we’re not just trying to beat you over there. You need to keep God’s rules.

Keeping God’s rules is what makes you better. It’s not there to hamper you or hurt you or restrict you or to make your life less. What we’ve got to get grilled into our minds that emphasizing the rules makes us better. Always. Because they’re God’s rules. And I’m just not as smart as he is. He has a wisdom that is unmatched. Everything issues from his perfect wisdom. He knows what’s best for us. We’ve got to get that drilled into our minds. These rules. And that’s why people come along and they say, Yeah, I don’t really like that rule. I don’t think that rule’s best for me. So that one I get to leave off. And I’m going to develop to these legalists over here. They’re the real problem.

And I’m just going to ignore that rule and still think everything’s fine with God. That’s exactly how people are approaching God. And they’re saying, I’m smarter than he is. I don’t need to listen to him. Let me tell you something important about the rules and keeping his rules this morning. Number one. As we just said, it’s the expression of our love and devotion to our Creator. That’s why we should want to keep the rules. We should want to keep the rules because we are showing him that we are thankful for the salvation that he’s provided. It is for the betterment of my mind. And thus my character. It is a better way of responding to others. It is escape from the damage and bondage of sin.

Again, he’s not trying to hurt us and make our lives more difficult. He’s making our lives better. So we can be light to a lost world. We follow his recipe, and we’ll be a light in our world. Tried to get at the last second, Ed to leave my favorite song. I can’t get enough of what is love. Love that song, number five in our supplement. And I like how it finishes. Crescendo. Well written. God is right. We need to drill that into our minds, the fact that God is right. And that’s why we do our best to submit ourselves completely to the will of God. It is that attempt that he is looking for. And again, thanks be to God that he has incorporated mercy into this system.

And that’s why it is styled justification by faith. It’s the only way Abraham could have been justified. Great man. One of the most awesome men to ever walk the face of the earth, but he had moments of failure. And so Paul makes the point of Romans chapter 4. You’re not being saved in any different way, really, than Abraham was saved. His life consisted of a walk of faith. What was the characteristic of Abraham’s life? It was faith. He served God, he was devoted to God, he loved God. There were moments of failure. If he had to be justified on a basis of perfect performance, he couldn’t make it. You couldn’t make it, none of us could make it. Only Jesus Christ lived perfectly. So thanks be to God for this system.

Conclusion

That as we strive to submit our lives to Him and put Him first and make a genuine attempt to obey Him and live for Him, that when there are moments of failure, there can still be hope. If we will do what Simon the Sorcerer was instructed to do. Repent and pray that the thought of your heart might be forgiven. That sermon was not easy to preach, folks. I said just Wednesday night that the message of justification by faith versus works is one of the most difficult to get over in people’s minds. And that was an attempt at it this morning. Are you saved? Not if you haven’t responded to the message of Jesus Christ. When he says, He who believes and is baptized shall be saved.

We want to assist you in doing that if you’re outside of Christ this morning. Confess him that you believe in him, turning from your sin and being baptized for the forgiveness of your sins today. You can come into a right relationship with God. And I’ll tell you this: even as we go along this path of faith, he’s there to help us and assist us. And if you have stumbled and you need to return to him, perhaps not in a public way of confession of wrongdoing that is known by the group and a need to turn your life around in some public way, but perhaps it is a private sin or private matter that you’re dealing with. Heaven’s assistance is offered. He will help you. Ask for him to help you.

Or if you need our assistance and you want to come and acknowledge that, won’t you come as we stand and sing this invitation song?