Many Christians seem to be struggle with this topic (or an aspect of it). I have also struggled with one aspect of it as well in the earlier days of my spiritual walk with God. My hope is that this post raises awareness towards a healthy view of self in relationship to God and His commands.
Let’s start by defining our terms.
Definitions: Legality & Legalism
Legality (Google’s definition: (1) obligations imposed by law; (2) the quality or state of being in accordance with the law) regard God’s commands. God is the lawgiver and judge (Jas 4:12; Isa 33:22). If God is king, the king has the right to impose laws demanding obedience from His people! The love we have for God is not merely the love we have for a friend (though He is our friend) nor a loved one (though we are His bride). Rather, Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (Jn 14:15) If God is our king, our love for Him results in obedience—keeping His commandments. Legality is biblical.
Now, consider legalism.
Legalism is defined as the (note this) excessive adherence to law. Legalism is NOT mere obedience. Legalism is excessiveness or excessive strictness that affects one’s personal relationship with God and one’s relationship with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. In other words, legalism is when “it's too much!” Or “it's too far beyond what Scripture clearly writes”.
Biblically, some judiazers in the Galatian church were pushing for legalism, that Christian believers had to be circumcized (Gal 1-3). The Pharisees were also legalistic in things that were not important to the faith. A prominent biblical example would be Matthew 15:1-8.
An modern example could be parents forcing their kids to read Scripture or else they won’t get to eat. Legalism is detrimental as it may overemphasize works.
Problem #1: Struggles with Legality
Some Christians have pushed too far “left”. Some Christians, perhaps due to their rebellious nature or bad experiences with parents and those in authority have overreacted, believing any imposition of rules is legalism. This includes going to church. “I don't need to go to church every week! God is with me and I love God!”
Whenever a pastor preaches, “Set a time to pray” or “Read your Bible”, these Christians view these exhortations as legalistic because they don’t like to be told what to do. They hate discipline whereas Scripture writes “It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?” (Heb12:7)
These Christians are actually “spiritual anarchists”. They want free reign and struggle with the concept that God is their Lord and master. I worry for them. If a believer struggles with legality, they struggle with submitting to God. They may struggle with the concept of “duty” and “responsibility”. The Christian faith, to them, is free-spirited where one does whatever one feels.
Obedience to God, however, is not (primarily) about feelings. Obedience is how we should respond to Christ.
Problem #2: Struggles with Legalism
Other Christians have pushed too far “right”. They take out the idea of a personal and corporate relationship with God and replace it with an iron rod. What causes legalism? One factor could be a translation of culture that rigidly uphold devoutness. Someone who struggles with legalism could be prone to add things that one deems “necessary” in the Christian faith (e.g.: waking up at 3am for prayer meetings as spiritual maturity). This was what the Pharisees did, they upheld and imposed an “oral law” in addition to the one in Scripture.
Another cause could be rivalry or conceit (Phil 2: 3-4). The sin nature has naturally made us to crave for power, glory, and influence. If we apply some aspects of the social dominance theory, many humans are fighting to be at the top of the hierarchy--”we want to be power holders!” This can translate to the church. Church becomes a competition: who is the “godliest” person? Well, the person who arrives earliest to pray or one who reads the Bible more than others (not that praying and Scripture are bad by any means).
A Healthy Balance
Do you struggle with one side or the other? Do you struggle with God being your Lord and King? Do you struggle with equating your faith with works, that it is a matter of excessive doing, doing, and doing to “prove” your spirituality?
May we reflect to see who we are in light of Christ and His grace. I encourage you to bring forth this discussion to someone you respect in the faith and ask for his/her feedback.
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