(Excerpts from: “A Word about Words”)
Galatians 2.16: Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
A word often hurled at conservative Christians is “legalism.” If a believer adheres to certain standards and encourages others to do so, he is branded a “legalist.” If one opposes loose living among Christians, he is considered a “legalist.” Obedience to, and faithful applications of, the New Testament are called “legalism.” Yet none of these things is true legalism at all.
Legalism, properly understood, is a strict adherence to the Law as a means to be saved or keep saved. It means that by doing certain good works or being a “good person,” the individual will earn his or her way into God’s favor. This attitude is found among many so-called Christians who say God will weigh their good deeds against their bad ones and (of course) their good deeds will outnumber their evil ones and God will welcome them into Heaven.
However, the Bible nowhere teaches this way of “earning” salvation. Jesus said, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6). Christians recognize that no amount of good works is good enough to earn salvation. Isaiah 64:6 says, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” To think that our good deeds, or avoidance of certain evils, merit us eternal life with God–is the height of folly. Salvation is God’s love gift.
Ephesians 2.8: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Legalism has no place in the life of a Christian. It leads to pride in our own “spiritual” accomplishments and makes us judgmental of others’ actions and motives.
Yet, the New Testament is abundantly clear that God expects the loving obedience of those who confess His name. “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” (Hebrews 12:14). This obedience-from the heart–is possible only through the power of the Holy Spirit residing within us. We obey God’s Word, not to be saved, but because He has saved us and we love Him. Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15), and “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, …” (John 14:21).