When the question is asked, 'what is the Biblical definition of legalism and what constitutes a legalist,' the answers one gets can be as varied and as diverse as the colors of the rainbow.

Legalism is what one calls any system which has them observe laws which they don't agree with, and a legalist is anyone who stands theologically to the right of where you stand.
                                                  -WiseManSay

This saying probably hits a lot closer to the mark in describing what many Christians believe than we'd like to admit. But what is the 'real' Biblical definition of legalism?

I think that we can safely say that legalism is the belief system which supports the contention that man's Salvation is in some way connected to the works of the law, either through maintaining good conduct, or by some other meritorious action. Those who believe that man can get into the Kingdom of heaven by a strict adherence to the law of God, or that we are toiling in this world to become worthy before Him, are legalists. Whether these people believe that we must meet certain conditions (as baptism or Church membership), or that we must maintain a strict adherence to laws in order to keep from losing Salvation, these are all examples of legalists. In one way or another they believe that Salvation is in some way based upon man's obedience to laws (thus the term, legalist). In holding such doctrines contrary to God's Word, they become an adversary to the truth of Salvation by the faith of Christ (Grace) alone. For God not only makes it abundantly clear how we are justified in His sight, but also how we can never be justified.

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."

James 2:10

• "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."

So how do legalists support their contentions? They read passages like 2nd Corinthians chapter 3, where God says that 'the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life,' and they illogically presume from this that it's saying we shouldn't obey the letter of the law, or that we can't obey the law. But quite obviously God is not teaching us that obeying His laws kills us, nor that we can be obedient to the letter of the law (which would be blasphemy), God is telling us that 'Salvation by trying to keep the law' is futile and will bring death. But 'Salvation by the Spirit of Christ' is efficacious and the only way to receive everlasting life. If we depend upon keeping the law (our own righteousness), it will condemn us to death, but a dependance upon Christ (His Righteousness) will bring life.

Philippians 3:9

• "And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:"

Romans 8:1

• "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

If we confuse our own works of the law with Grace, the distinction is blurred and we lose sight of what God meant when He said 'those who are justified by the law, have fallen from grace (Galatians 5:4).' This is legalism and a departure from the doctrines of Grace. But by the same token, if we separate ourselves from obedience to the law so that it becomes 'set against' Grace, then there is an abandonment of responsibility (Antinomianism) and we will see evidence in our lives of reprobation. So while we need to be careful not to label the 'belief in obedience' legalism, we also must be careful that we do not make Grace an excuse or covering for our disobedience to the law.

The sad reality of modern times is that more and more the Churches are misusing the word legalism so much that it might pop up in a conversation about anything from homosexuality to God's precepts against Women pastors. It has become increasingly popular among pastors and parishioners alike to accuse Christians of being legalistic when they bear witness to what the Lord has forbidden. It is typical for Biblical commands to be abrogated, made void or of non-effect by people labeling them legalism. Those who faithfully testify that we should remain obedient, are called Pharisaic. And both these terms are usually used by those who don't really understand what either of them mean. Many of these have fallen so far from the faith of our fathers that they no longer recognize the difference between legalism, and the righteousness in exhortation of the Church to adherence to God's laws.

Hebrews 3:12-14

• "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
• But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
• For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;"

Luke 13:23-24

• "Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
• Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able."

Exhorting to strive to follow God's laws is not legalism but Christianity. Saying the wide gate may be popular, but is the way of transgression is charitable and a good thing, not hypocrisy which is to be condemned. As a practical example, some Church leaders have said that our manner of dress is a matter of personal preference and that any teaching which establishes a dress code is unbiblical and an exercise in legalism. But it doesn't take much 'honest' thought to understand that if we follow these false and unbiblical presuppositions to their logical conclusion, Christians could wear their underwear out into the street, or even a 6 inch skirt, and (according to the logic of these theologians) they would still be perfectly within their (so called) Christian right of personal preference. many term this their, 'Christian Liberty.' But it is nothing less than worldly and social nonsense, for there is no such Christian liberty, and the Church speaking out against such immodest dress would not be a form of legalism, but of righteousness.

1st Timothy 2:9-10

• "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
• But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works."

1st John 2:3-5

• "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
• He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a Liar, and the truth is not in him.
• But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: Hereby know we that we are in him."

2nd Thessalonians 1:7-8

• "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
• In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ."

It is troubling to our soul to see professing Christians today fighting so hard against those who come testifying to biblical precepts which clearly address their lusts, works, actions, code of conduct, and Christian values. Have we lost the ability to distinguish between someone bearing witness to God's Word, and someone merely stating their opinions or personal preferences? The testimony of scripture is not personal opinion, rather it is the witness of things which are ordered by God. And the wanton transgression of those laws of God by professing Christians under the guise of a word like 'legalism' is not their faith in Grace, rather it is in fact evidence that they have no faith and do not understand Grace. It places man at enmity with God where he doesn't really know Him. Does the true believer think that Grace is an excuse to 'get around' God's laws because we are not under law? God forbid! He keeps the law precisely because He is under Grace of God.

Romans 6:1-2

• "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
• God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"

1st Peter 1:14-16

• "As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
• But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
• Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."

2nd Corinthians 13:5

• "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?"

Titus 1:7-8

• "For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
• But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;"

Proverbs 22:28

• "Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set."

Granted, sometimes Christians can be their own worst enemy. For we should not only preach God's Word and declare what God's law forbids, but we should also help others to understand God's intention in giving these commandments. Yes it is true that it is enough to know that God gave them, thus we should unquestionably obey them, but it is also wise to be patient and explain the laws in the Spirit of love. For when Christians with the Spirit of Christ gain a knowledge of the Word, they often begin to grasp what God intends, and thus better comprehend what they are reading. It is a wonderful thing when their heart is made joyful in obedience. When we teach a more thorough understanding of scripture, Christians find that by the Spirit working within them they are no longer content with merely eliminating (what we might call) serious violations of the law, but will begin shaping their everyday lives in order to better serve God on a daily basis. It then no longer becomes a question of legalism, but a question of love of God's law, and of a changed and softened heart to live by it.

Psalms 119:10-12

• "With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
• Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
• Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes."

Matthew 4:4

• "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."

It is however legalism to believe that 'by' our faithfully adhering to good works, deeds or laws, we will merit blessings, rewards or Salvation. Do not confuse the real meaning of legalism with that which some Christians teach. Many Churches today wouldn't know legalism if a book of law fell out of the sky upon their heads. And though it goes against the grain to speak out against such misuse of this word, we can by Godly conscience do nothing less. For it's not a matter of what seems right to man (Proverbs 16:25), but of what God says. Let us not be 'lawyers' who search the scriptures only to look for loopholes in the law or to find ways to avoid keeping it. For our keeping God's laws are not a matter to be grieved over or labled legalism, it's a matter of Love. Jesus didn't have disdain for those who loved the law and understood keeping it was evidence of true Salvation. On the contrary, He bore testimony of those who keep His law in their hearts. His disdain was reserved for the 'real' hypocrites who thought they could be righteous by keeping the law of Moses.

John 9:41

• "Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth."

• "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
• And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

1st John 5:3-4

• "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and His commandments are not grievous.
• For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."

May the Lord who is Gracious above all, give us the wisdom and understanding to humble ourselves and rightly divide, and discern His most glorious Word.

Amen!