Legalism and Liberty

Law verses Grace

Hebrews 10:26–29 “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?”         

An Abuse of Liberty

We sometimes hear it said, “We Christians are saved by grace, so the Old Testament law does not apply to us.” We have been told that Jesus’ death did away with the Old Testament law. And because of us living by grace, whatever sin we commit is forgiven.

Some people feel that grace gives them the freedom to not have to worry about the consequences of sin. They treat the promise of the gospel like a “Get out of jail free” card. That anything can be done, and forgiveness can be asked for later.

Rigidity of the Law

There is another group of Christians who are referred to as “Legalists”. They believe there are set rules that must be followed, or salvation is lost. They believe the Old Testament law must be followed to the letter, or else the work of the cross is nullified. Much of these rules are carried over as traditions and the church is administrated by them.

A Carnal View

Both of these are extremes at the opposite ends of what a Christian lifestyle should reflect. One view believes works accomplishes everything, while the other believes that since Jesus paid the price, we do not need to do anything at all. Both views cause conflict within a growing Christian. The opposing views create confusion. GOD’s sovereignty surpasses both ideals.

John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”       

Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”       

We are taught doctrinally that GOD does not change. If this is true, how was the law done away with? We are also taught throughout the book of Leviticus that GOD said to be holy because he is holy. So how can he accept us living sinfully? How can a sincere Christian walk in truth, if these opposing views try to sway them from one opinion to the other, and back?

The simple truth is both views are correct to a degree, but both are missing something vital. Both views are fleshly originated, and the work of the Spirit has not been submitted to in them. At our rebirth as a Christian, our spirit is “Quickened” or awakened by the Spirit of GOD entering into us. This Spirit is what will lead us in righteousness.

Romans 8:11 “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”

Works of the Circumcision

In the book of Romans Paul corrected the inaccurate thought of the Jews. They thought that because they were Jewish (“of the Circumcision”) and kept the law, that they were the righteous people. They based this on their bloodline and the works they did in keeping the law. In fact, they considered non-jews to be inferior and dirty. Paul refuted their claims and showed them their hypocrisy.

Romans 2:17–19 “Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,”   

Romans 2:23 “Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?”        

Paul reminded them that they broke parts of the law themselves, even though they were trying to force observance of the law on others. Paul called them an “Instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes”. He said they had a “form of knowledge and truth in the law.” Paul asked them a revealing question.

Romans 2:25 “For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.”         

Paul also reminded them that since they were bragging about being in the circumcision, they tied their own hands. Then he reassures us that the law is good and it reveals sin.

Romans 7:12 “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.”        

Romans 3:20 “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”         

Paul points out that until the Law was brought to light, the sin in the world was hidden. The Law showed what sin is.

Romans 5:13 “(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.”

Romans 7:7 “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.”

So, are the commandments meant to be kept? The short answer is Yes. They reveal sin when they are broken. They bring a curse when they are broken. But, they also bring blessings when they are followed.

Psalm 119:9 “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.”

Proverbs 3:1–2 “My son, forget not my law; But let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, And peace, shall they add to thee.”

Psalm 119:172 “My tongue shall speak of thy word: For all thy commandments are righteousness.”      

Psalm 119:98 “Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: For they are ever with me.”        

Paul said in Romans 7:22 “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:”         

Psalm 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.”      

Don’t mix Justification with Duty

Ecclesiastes 12:13 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”         

The Bible repeatedly asserts that the Law/Commandments cannot Justify you by keeping them. They cannot save you. It repeatedly reminds us that it is our faith in Jesus Christ paying our penalty on the cross that justifies us… This is essential to remember.

We do not keep the commandments to be saved. Our salvation is not bought by our works; but, it is shown to others through them… The good fruit.

In Galatians 3 we are reminded that Abraham pre-dated the law of Moses, but his faith in GOD was counted for righteousness and justification. Then he made the covenant with GOD. The law of moses did exist until 430 years later.

Spiritual Guidance observes the Law

Colossians 2:16–17 “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.”

So how do we observe the law? The Spirit alive in us guides us. Remember, breaking the law is sin. If we are walking in the Spirit, we will desire to follow GOD’s laws. I stress, they are GOD’s laws, not man’s. The Spirit of GOD will not lead the Child of GOD to break a Law of GOD.

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.”           

Romans 8:4–6 “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”       

What is the Law?

People have a way of complicating simple things. On mount Sinai Moses received Ten Commandments from GOD. This is the essence of the Mosaic law. Exodus 20… (So, lets name them…As a congregation) They were further broken down situationally to show how to be applied in the issues that the Israelites were going through at the time.

Additional judgements were added because people were trying to circumvent the basics, or simply didn’t understand how to apply them. Then rules of lifestyle (for lack of better words) were added for daily living. Ceremonial reminders of historical and future events were added. And let’s not forget the Levitical priesthood rules and of sacrifices (for sins) to GOD.

All these things added up to become a confusing mess of do and don’t rules which were often abused by people to get their way, or try to force their opinions on others. The first five books of the Bible elaborate on these. Ten turned into 613.

As a Born again, Spirit led, Jesus serving Christian we should be studying our Bibles and growing. In that process we can learn what and why these laws came about.

2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”     

2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”      

So What Applies?

So what parts apply to you? Are you a Levite priest? If not, those parts don’t apply. Do we have to sacrifice animals? No, King Jesus became our sacrifice for sin, so that part does not apply. Do you live in Israel (the land of Cannan)? No? Well than I guess those parts don’t apply either.

So what does apply? Many people do not realize that the doctrines taught in the New Testament are applications of the Old Testament. The scriptures referred to were Old Testament since the New Testament wasn’t even written yet.

What parts of the law is the Holy Spirit leading you to follow? That is what applies to you. But I caution you, just because the Spirit leads you to follow certain aspects of the Old/New Testament law, It does not mean others are being lead to follow the same. Every Christian has a personal walk with the LORD and only they walk that specific path.

The conclusion of the Matter

An abuse of liberty is incorrect. Rigid Law Legalism is incorrect. When we are born again and the Holy Spirit awakens us, we begin to be guided to walk in righteousness. Paul corrected the misunderstanding that bloodline and works justify a person. Paul reminds that, like Abraham, faith in GOD (the work of Jesus) is what justifies. The Law-which is simply GOD’s Word dictates what is and is not sin. If we are doing our part growing in our relationship to GOD, we will be led to fulfill what part of the law applies to us as individuals, out of a desire to grow closer to him.

            Its’s not because we have to… It’s because we want to.