Navigating Between Legalism and Antinomianism: A Biblical Perspective

“The line of truth is narrow as a razor’s edge.” [1]

Charles Spurgeon

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Jesus (Matt. 7:13-14)

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Illustration

Imagine you are embarking on a journey in your car, setting off on a long, winding road that stretches out before you. This road, much like the Christian life, is full of twists and turns, hills to climb, and valleys to navigate. As you take hold of the steering wheel, you realize that this journey requires constant attention and adjustment to stay on the right path. Just as a car veers off course without small, continual adjustments to the steering wheel, our lives can easily drift away from God’s path without regular, prayerful corrections and reliance on His Word.

Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

1 Timothy 4:6 (NIV)

B. Walking the Razor’s Edge

Almost every major Christian teaching has on its right and on its left errors that, if the Christian were to fall into, would have debilitating impacts on his or her life.

i. Examples of the Razor’s Edge

a. The Sovereignty of God

1. RIGHT: Hyper-determinism can emerge from an extreme emphasis on God’s sovereignty, leading to the belief that human actions and evangelism are unnecessary or irrelevant because God has predestined everything.

2. LEFT: Placing too much emphasis on human free will can lead to Pelagianism, the belief that humans can initiate their salvation or achieve righteousness through their own efforts apart from the grace of God.

3. THE RAZOR’S EDGE: Scripture affirms BOTH God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. God is in control AND we are responsible for our choices.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Philippians 2:12-13

b. Grace vs. Judgement

1. RIGHT: A focus solely on God’s judgment can lead to a harsh, fear-based relationship with God, ignoring His love, mercy, and the transformative power of grace.

2. LEFT: Universalism can result from an exaggerated emphasis on grace, suggesting that all people will ultimately be saved, regardless of faith or repentance.

3. THE RAZOR’S EDGE: Scripture teaches that God’s grace offers salvation to all who trust in Jesus, but it also calls us to a life transformed from sin. Graces teaches us to live righteously, understanding the serious consequences of unrepented sin.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

John 3:16-18

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

Romans 6:1-2

c. Divine Healing vs. Medical Science

1. RIGHT: Asserting that faith alone, without medical intervention, is the only acceptable means for healing, can lead to neglecting God-given wisdom and resources in healthcare.

2. LEFT: Sole reliance on medical science, ignoring the power of prayer and God’s ability to heal miraculously, can lead to a materialistic view of the world.

3. THE RAZOR’S EDGE: Scripture encourages prayer for the sick and for us to use other means for healing. Christians are encouraged to seek God’s healing power while also utilizing medical resources wisely.

No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.

1 Timothy 5:23

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

James 5:14

d. Prosperity Gospel vs. Poverty Theology

1. RIGHT: The belief that faith, positive speech, and donations to religious causes will always result in material wealth and physical well-being goes beyond the biblical teaching of God’s blessings.

2. LEFT: The view that glorifies poverty as inherently more spiritual or pleasing to God, sometimes viewing material wealth with suspicion or as inherently evil.

3. THE RAZOR’S EDGE: Scripture teaches that God gives us everything for our enjoyment but warns against the desire to get rich. Scripture promotes a view of stewardship hwere resources are used wisely for God’s glory and the good of others.

Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the LORD?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.

Proverbs 30:8-9

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

1 Timothy 6:17-19

C. Transition

i. Tonight, we are going to look at the dangers surrounding God’s law and God’s grace.

a. On one side we will find LEGALISM.

b. On the other side we will find ANTINOMIANISM.

II. LEGALISM VS. ANTINOMIANISM

A. Definitions

i. Legalsim – the belief that obedience to a set of rules or laws can secure salvation or earn God’s favor. It emphasizes human effort and diminishes the grace of God in salvation.

ii. Antinomianism – comes from the Greek words “anti” meaning ‘against,’ and “nomos” meaning ‘law.’ It is the belief that under the dispensation of grace, the moral law is of no use or obligation because faith alone is necessary to salvation.

a. Nicknames

1. Free Grace Theology

2. Easy Believism

B. Biblical Narrative Illustrations

i. The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

READ LUKE 18:9-14

a. This parable illustrates the danger of legalism.

1. What was the pharisee trusting in to be right before God?

i. His own righteousness.

2. How did the Pharisee regard the tax collector?

i. He looked down on him.

3. Who did Jesus commend?

i. The tax collector for his humble faith, which resulted in his justification.

ii. The Prodigal Son

READ LUKE 15:11-32

a. This parable can illustrate both dangers.

1. Who embodied an anti-law (antinomian) spirit in this parable?

i. The younger son, who rejected his father’s authority and went off living as if there were no rules.

2. Who embodied a legalistic spirit in this parable?

i. The older son. He was obedient to his father’s commands, but his heart was far from his father.

3. How did the father respond to both sons?

i. With loving gentleness and grace. This illustrates God’s grace to us and the call to a relationship based on love, not mere duty or lawlessness.

C. Signs You May Struggle with Legalism

i. #1 – Judgemental Attitude Towards Others

a. Biblical Solution – Galatians 6:1-2 encourages gentleness and bearing one another’s burdens. Recognize that we all fall short (Romans 3:23) and need grace.

ii. #2 – Obsession with Rule-Following

a. Biblical Solution – Romans 14:17 reminds us that the kingdom of God is not about eating and drinking but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. The focus should be on internal transformation and not merely external conformity.

iii. #3 – Anxiety Over One’s Salvation Based on Works

a. Biblical Solution – Ephesians 2:8-9 clearly states that we are saved by grace through faith, not by works. Assurance comes from trusting in Christ’s finished work, not our performance.

iv. #4 – Neglecting the Weightier Matters of the Law

a. Biblical Solution – Matthew 23:23 teaches the importance of justice, mercy, and faithfulness. God desires a heart oriented toward love and obedience, not mere ritual adherence.

v. #5 – Boasting in One’s Own Righteousness

a. Biblical Solution – Philippians 3:9 emphasizes finding righteousness through faith in Christ, not from the law. Our boast should be in Christ alone.

D. Signs You May Struggle with Antinomianism

i. #1 – Living in Persistent Sin Without Repentance

a. Biblical Solution – 1 John 3:6-9 challenges believers to live righteously, as habitual sinning is inconsistent with being born of God. Repentance and ongoing sanctification are marks of a true believer.

ii. #2 – Misunderstanding Grace as a License to Sin

a. Biblical Solution – Romans 6:1-2 and 15-16 argue against continuing in sin because we’re under grace. Instead, we’re called to offer ourselves to God as instruments of righteousness.

iii. #3 – Rejecting the Law Entirely

a. Biblical Solution – Matthew 5:17-20 shows Jesus did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. The moral law still instructs us in righteousness, though we’re not justified by it.

iv. #4 – Lack of Fruit of the Spirit

a. Biblical Solution – Galatians 5:22-24 teaches that those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. The evidence of a life led by the Spirit is the fruit of the Spirit.

v. #5 – Disregarding Church Discipline or Correction

a. Biblical Solution – Hebrews 12:5-11 teaches that the Lord disciplines those He loves. Accepting correction and discipline is part of growing in holiness and sanctification.

III. CONCLUSION

A. Practical Applications

i. Examine Your Heart Constantly

a. Regularly reflect on whether your motivation for obedience is love and gratitude towards God or a desire to earn His favor.

ii. Preach the Gospel to Yourself Daily

a. Remind yourself of the grace you have received in Christ, which frees you from the need to earn salvation and empowers you to obey God joyfully.

iii. Be Part of the Community of Grace

a. The church is the context where our faith is lived out. The local church is the context where confession, repentance, mutual support, and all of the many “one another” commands of Scripture are to be lived out. Push back against judgemental attitudes and legalistic standards.

iv. Look to the Historic Protestant Confessions

a. These confessions, or summaries of the faith, serve as guard rails that can help prevent individualistic interpretations of Scripture detached from the wisdom and understanding developed within the body of Christ over centuries.

1. Recommended Creed & Confessions

i. The Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (i.e. The 1689)

ii. The Westminster Confession of Faith

iii. The Belgic Confession

iv. The Heidelberg Catechism

v. The Canons of Dort

vi. The Apostles’ Creed

vii. The Nicene Creed

[1] C. H. Spurgeon, Barbed Arrows from the Quiver of C. H. Spurgeon (London: Passmore and Alabaster, 1896), 280.