Many theological errors happen by overreaction. We don’t want to be make the error of treating tradition as equal with Scripture, so we reject tradition altogether. Or, as relates to this post, we don’t want to be legalists so we reject the place of obedience and God’s commands in the Christian life altogether. That would be an error by overreaction. So let me try and help us avoid that error of overreaction by making clear what legalism is not…
Legalism is not a zealous commitment to honor the commandments of God’s Word or do good works.
Jesus said very plainly and clearly to his disciples: “If you love me you will keep my commandments.” Notice that he didn’t say, “If you keep my commandments, I will love you.” Jesus is saying that commandment-keeping is an expression, an overflow, an evidence of our love for Christ not the basis of it.
Furthermore, Paul shows us in Titus 2:14 that one of the effects of the Gospel is a zeal for good works: “[Christ] gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.“ Christ has freed us from the condemnation of the law, which hung over our heads reminding us that we could never render the perfect obedience that God demands. But Christ also, freed us from lawlessness, a “everyone did what was right in their own eyes type of mindset.” By the purifying power of his grace, he has given us a passion to live for His glory by doing good works.
Legalism is not a ministry that teaches others to follow Christ in obedience.
It seems that some people have their legalism detector set to 11, such that if any pastor from any pulpit calls for people to honor a particular command of God’s Word, they cry “legalism.” But again to draw our attention to the words of Jesus listen to what he said at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount: “Whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.“ (Matthew 5:19)
Legalism is not strong personal convictions, as long as they are not imposed on and required of others.
The Apostle Paul touches on this principle in Romans 14 in his discussion of the strong in faith and the weak in faith, regarding observing the ceremonial dietary laws and observing the ceremonial calendar: “One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.“ (Romans 14:2-5).
Someone may have a strong personal conviction that honoring the Sabbath means refraining from participating in commerce because it essentially forces people to work on the Lord’s Day. It would be fine for them to express their thoughts on paper and hand it out to others for consideration and discussion as to why they follow that practice and hold that view. But it would be wrong of them to try and force other people to follow their practice if they do not share their conviction.
A parent may determine that a certain book series or movie or show is not permissible or beneficial for their children. They may share with other parents how they came to such a conclusion in order to assist their own thinking on such a matter. But the moment that one parent definitively and authoritatively says to another: “You are sinning by allowing your kids to read that book or watch that movie,” they have crossed a Scriptural line.
Legalism is not imposing personal restrictions for personal protection from sinful temptations and acts.
Based on the admonition from Paul in Romans 13:14 to “make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” a person may recognize in themselves a propensity towards abuse of alcohol and thus determine that they are going to totally refrain from drinking such beverages. This is an honorable, permissible, personal stance to take, as long as the individual does not force that position on others or view themselves as more righteous than others because they follow such a personal practice.
These points were adapted from: https://www.ccwtoday.org/2008/04/an-outline-for-understanding-issues-of-conscience-and-legalism/
