What is Legalism?

Posted by Pastor Pat on February 2, 2009

As we continue to work through the book of Galatians we have encountered the dichotomy between grace and law.  To be in and under grace is to be free in Christ.  To be in and under law is to be in bondage and slavery.  We have used the term legalist to describe those who are in and under law, yet what do we mean by “legalism?”  Warren Wiersbe gives us this clear definition of legalism.

We must keep in mind that legalism does not mean the setting of spiritual standards; it means worshiping these standards and thinking that we are spiritual because we obey them.  It also means judging other believers on the basis of these standards.  The old nature loves legalism, because it gives the old nature a chance to ‘look good.’ (Wiersbe, Galatians, 108-109).

Thus, legalism is not what you do it is why you do it that makes you a legalist.  John Piper correctly notes that “legalism is present whenever a person is trying to be ethical in his own strength.”  He equally argues that legalism is present whenever we try to make other people ethical through conformity to rules.  In so doing we are lacking confidence in the sovereign power of God to complete that which He alone began and He alone can finish. (Piper, Brothers, We Are Not Professionals, 153-155).

As I have meditated on these things I have noted nine observations concerning legalism.  I trust you will find this helpful.

1.      Legalism believes man’s obedience cooperates with grace instead of believing it is a consequence of grace. Any act of obedience on my part is simply a consequence of the Holy Spirit bearing His fruit in me and through me to those around me.

2.      Legalism believes what it merits by grace must now be maintained by works. What I could not merit by works I cannot now maintain by works.  The Christian life is from “grace to grace.”

3.      Legalism believes man’s obedience makes God a debtor to him for good.

The legalist believes that God is obligated to “bless” us with “good things” because we have lived exemplary lives.  When hardship comes we are shocked because we have done our best to “do right.”

4.      Legalism views the New Testament imperative as a moral obligation.

The New Testament was not written to tell us how to live, but to show us what He is like.  The imperative is the outworking of the Holy Spirit bearing His fruit through these “earthen vessels.”  To think the believer is now obligated to carry out the New Testament imperative is to place him under a burden he was never meant to bear.

5.      Legalism believes the saved individual is now capable, with the Holy Spirit’s enablement, to work in such a way as to merit divine favor.

The truth is found in John 15:5, “without Him we can do nothing.”  We are not co-laborers or sub-contractors with God, but tools and only tools.

6.      Legalism fears disobedience because of divine retribution.

The legalist lives in fear of “divine chastisement.”  Yet we are assured that “perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).

7.      Legalism believes its judgment of others is infallible.

Legalists delight in putting people into prearranged categories.  Judgment is immediate and swift.  Everyone and everything is guilty until proven innocent.

8.      Legalism places demands on others for conformity to their rules.

The legalist must control through conformity or it will lose its grip.  Diversity within unity is the great scourge to the legalist.

9.      Legalism judges others based on their appearance.

The legalist believes everyone must mimic them.  Yet the infiniteness of God and the diversity of personalities in limitless cultures assure us that there is great multiplicity within the body of Christ.

I have no desire to stand in judgment of the assumed legalist.  How tragic it would be for us to embrace grace and, in some twisted way, become legalistic toward those who differ from this fellowship.

Perhaps this short study will help us to “see” legalism in our own lives.  May our courage be such that we will not rest until every residue of this devilish way has been blotted out of our presence?  Grace living is “riskier” because it means we must take our hands off people and place them into the hands of Almighty God.  Yet is such a transfer “risky?”  Hardly.  I would rather have us live under the watch-care of omnipotence than under the bane-filled eye of impotent man.

By Pastor Patrick J. Griffiths.  For more information see the Waukesha Bible Church series on Galatians.