There is a common idea which has prevailed among professing Christians that Legalism is a bad thing. Those who oppose Christian rules and duties have made their own rules and resort to this uncertain term “Legalism”  in order to justify themselves and vilify those who reprove them. 

Though the term “Legalism” is not found in the Bible, perhaps some who use the term, while considering it to be a bad thing, are opposing actual deception (which they could and should find a better word for).

Perhaps they define Legalism as telling Christians to practice the ceremonies and rituals of Judaism after their release from these (that release is seen in Acts chapter 15; and this is the real issue of the Book of Galatians).  Perhaps they define Legalism as trying to be justified through man-made rules and judging others based on those rules.  Perhaps they define Legalism as an overall attempt to work around Jesus Christ (i.e. the narrow gate and the narrow way to life in Him).

Carefully read Mark 15:1-9.  Who are the legalists here?  Those who sought to adhere to God’s commandments (Jesus and His disciples) or those who laid aside the commandment of God that they might keep their own tradition (the Pharisees and the Scribes whose hearts were distant from the true God)?  

Transgressing God’s law is the very definition of sinning.  It is impossible to righteously rebuke someone of sin without a solid basis to do so from the law of God.

The Bible says in 1 John 3:4: “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” 

Since sin is the transgression of God’s law, it is only logical then that Christian freedom is freedom not to transgress God’s law (see especially John 8:34-36 here).  

Justification through Christ doesn’t happen without true repentance. True repentance involves coming into agreement with, and submitting to, God’s law.  Those who truly repent and believe in Jesus Christ are given His Holy Spirit (see Acts 5:30-32).  Those led by Christ’s Spirit fulfill the righteousness of the law through a living faith in Him (read Romans chapter 8- all of it).

Those walking in opposition to the righteousness of God’s law then are not abiding in Christ and are rather His enemies.  

It only makes sense that professing Christians walking after the flesh would employ a vague term such as “Legalism”, take the faulty premise that Legalism must be a bad thing to set up an opportunity to recriminate, and then accuse those who reprove their unrepentant sin which proves that they are God’s enemy of “Legalism.”  

Aaron’s email is: [email protected]

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