Untitled Sermon (13)

1 Timothy 1:8-11

Policy #1: Avoid Legalism

AI: Paul tasked Timothy with correcting legalism in the congregation.

SP: Be mindful of legalistic tendencies in the congregation.

Today, we will discover Paul tasking Timothy with correcting legalistic mindsets in the congregation. What is legalism? What is the law? What is the purpose of the law? What is the end (or aim) of the law? These questions Paul will address in our passage. Read Text.

Intro

In 2007, an agnostic Jewish man published a book titled, The Year of Living Biblically: One Man’s Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible.[1]He attempted to follow all of the OT laws as closely as possible. For instance, he did not shave or trim the edges of his beard (Lev. 19:27). He eliminated all graven images: photos, TV, movies, doodling, etc. (Ex. 20:4).[2]He refused to say “Thursday” (or other days of the week) because of its origin in a false god, Thor (Ex. 23:13).[3]

Some things he had to improvise. For instance, Leviticus 23:22 says to leave the edges of your field for the poor to glean. He didn’t have a field, so he left money at the ATM for someone else to take.

Other laws he had trouble keeping at all without going to prison. He couldn’t destroy idols or kill magicians because it was a federal crime. He couldn’t stone an adulterer he met in a park, so he threw pebbles at him instead.

Still other laws landed him in trouble at home. He avoided touching his wife during her menstruation period and seven days after (Lev. 15:19). He avoided sitting where she sat during that time of the month (Lev. 15:20). His wife, who was pregnant with twins at the time, wasn’t happy about this. She also wasn’t happy he no longer was able to take out the garbage on the Sabbath day. In fact, he met with different rabbis to find out what he could and could not do on the Sabbath day. At one point, he found himself locked in a bathroom with no way out other than to break God’s law on Sabbath-day restrictions.

At the end of the year, he concluded that keeping the law perfectly, or even consistently, was impossible. He stated it gave him an entirely new perspective on the need for grace in his life. His words, “This year showed me beyond doubt that everyone practices cafeteria religion (pick and choose).”[4]

Certain persons in Ephesus were practicing “cafeteria religion,” and we are not immune from it today either. Therefore, Paul answers 3 questions about legalism:

1. What is the Law? (v. 8)

2. What is the Primary Purpose of the Law? (vv. 9-10)

3. What is the “End” (Aim) of the Law? (v. 11)

Before we go much further, let’s put some definition to the term, “legalism.”

What is Legalism?

R. C. Sproul defines legalism this way, “Legalism involves abstracting the law of God from its original context.”[5]Normally, it takes three basic forms: (1) earning God’s favor; (2) keepingGod’s favor; or, (3) currying God’s favor.

An example of “earning” God’s favor is the rich young ruler. He asked Jesus, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” (Matt.19:16). He wanted a list of tasks he could perform in order to “earn” God’s favor.

An example of “keeping” God’s favor is the man with a withered hand whom Jesus healed. The Pharisees questioned Jesus, “‘Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?’—so that they might accuse him” (Matt. 12:10b). They wanted to accuse him of not “keeping” favor with God.

An example of “currying” favor with God is when a person adds his/her own rules around God’s laws and requires others to submit to those rules. Jesus rebuked this type of legalism, indicting the Pharisees and scribes with “teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt. 15:9b). This mainly occurs today when people add traditions, tastes, or preferences to God’s Word and then impose them on others: music styles, dress codes, homeschooling, stay-at-home motherhood, etc. This type of legalism typically creeps forward in a natural progression. It begin when a person claims my particular conviction is “more” biblical than yours. . . then the “most” biblical of all . . . and, finally, the “only” biblical way.

At its fundamental level, legalism emphasizes rules over relationship and the letter of the law over the spirit of the law.

1 Timothy 1:8. What is the Law? Verse 8 states, “Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully. What, exactly, does Paul mean by the term, “law” here? In short, he meant the sum and substance of God’s commands in the OT. Largely, this centered on the Mosaic Law; meaning, the Ten Commandments (in Exodus) and then the various applications given in the subsequent books—Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Scholars typically point out this body of “law” consists of three types of laws: (1) civil laws, (2) ceremonial laws, (3) moral laws. Civil laws dealt with ordering the society of the nation, Israel. Ceremonial laws dealt with religious activities. Moral laws—like prohibitions of idolatry, murder, adultery, covetousness, etc.—dealt with individual behaviors.

Paul also used the term “law” in several specific ways. In his letter to the Ephesians a few years earlier, he used the term only once. Ephesians 2:14–15:

For he himself [i.e., Christ] is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down the wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in the place of two, so making peace.

Two things are clear: (1) these “ordinances” (probably ceremonial laws) created hostility between Jewish saints and Gentile saints and (2) the need for them was abolished in Christ’s Person and work.

Paul’s letters to the Galatians and Colossians mention some of these ordinances which built up walls of hostility among Christians: (1) Jews refusing to eat with Gentiles (Gal. 2:12); (2) req’d observation of calendar days, months, seasons, and years (Gal. 4:10); (3) circumcision requirements (Gal. 5:2); (4) dietary restrictions (Col. 2:16); (5) festival requirements (Col. 2:16); (6) sabbath requirements (Col. 2:16); and, (7) religious “do’s” and “don’ts” (Col. 2:21). This “law . . . expressed in ordinances” caused division in many congregations in the first century.[6]Nearly all of Paul’s letters address this issue in some way.

1 Timothy 1:9–10. What is the Primary Purpose of the Law? Verse 9a states “. . . understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient . . .” What is the primary purpose of the law? In short, the law’s primary purpose is to “reveal” sin, “restrain” sin, and help the faithful “resist” sin.

Paul listed a host of lawbreaking descriptors based on the second half of the Ten Commandments. His point was: laws were implemented due to sinful behavior, not righteous behavior. If there were no thieves, there would be no need for the law, “Thou shalt not steal,” would there? God’s law originally was given because everyone on earth was exhibiting selfish, sinful behavior. Genesis 6:5 makes that plain, “The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Therefore, God’s law actually was His act of grace to show every person the reality of his/her sinful condition. Sadly, most people never reflect on their selfish, sinful condition when they break a law. Rather, they focus on why the law is unfair, wrong, unequally applied or why it’s just plain stupid—which only serves to expose their selfish, sinful state.

Genesis 6:5 ESV

The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Now, Paul is not suggesting that God’s law has no relevance in the believer’s life. He stated in verse 8 that it does—insofar as it is consistent with the gospel.[7]A survey of Paul’s teaching on the law reveals three main purposes of the law: (1) to reveal sin; (2) to restrain sin; and, (3) and to resist sin; but never to “redeem” sin.

Here, Paul’s focus is on the misinformed teachers he mentioned in verse 7. They failed to understand the primary purpose of God’s law: to reveal man’s sin and point him/her to Christ for grace. Instead, they weaponized God’s law to control people.

1 Timothy 1:11. What is the End (Aim) of the Law? Verse 11 states, “. . . in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.” In short, the end (or aim) of God’s law is to point men to the only perfect lawkeeper, Jesus Christ.

Paul says God’s law is “in accordance with the gospel.” What is the “gospel” in this context? The word, “gospel” simply means “good news.” Here, the “good news” is Christ perfectly fulfilled of all of God’s law on behalf of lawbreakers.

Again, for those less familiar with Paul’s thought-process, his clearest discourse on the relationship between the law and the gospel is spelled out in his earlier letter to the Galatian congregations. Timothy, of course, was from southern Galatia. He knew Paul’s understanding of the law and the gospel. In Galatians, Paul makes several sound, doctrinal points to that end:

· First, Christ fulfilled all of God’s civil, ceremonial, and moral laws and applies them to sinners by simple, saving faith. Galatians 3:23-24: Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.

Galatians 3:23–24 ESV

Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.

· Second, those freed to pursue this new “way of life” are enabled to walk in godliness. Galatians 5:22 states, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22 ESV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

· Third, the law is all or nothing: Galatians 5:13: I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.

Galatians 5:13 ESV

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Timeless Principle

The Timeless Principle here is two simple words: Avoid legalism.

Recap

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Present Use

How can you spot a legalist? Let me offer a few thoughts. I heard this quip somewhere several years ago, “Many Christians are expert prosecuting attorneys when it comes to another’s sins but expert defense attorneys when it comes to their own sins.” That’s legalism.

Tim Challies wrote an article which offers 14 signs characteristic of a legalist.[8]I’ll simply read these, and each of us can see if any apply.

1. You read your Bible to get a check mark rather than to meet with God.

2. Your spiritual disciplines define your spirituality.

3. You refuse to forgive although you’ve been forgiven.

4. You judge others before you listen to them.

5. You justify yourself by comparing yourself to others.

6. You feel the need to point out someone else’s sin publicly.

7. Your schedule is so tight it doesn’t have room for “If the Lord wills” in it.

8. You separate your spiritual life from your natural life.

9. You spend time only with “saved” people.

10.You love the praise of men more than the smile of God.

11.You’re more interested in conformity than conversion.

12.You make little things big and big things little.

13.You praise only other’s outward deeds.

14.You reject the truth tellers who come into your life.

I’ll never forget: I was at a little-league t-ball game once, and a parent went AWOL, yelling and screaming at the umpire. He made quite the scene. Everyone got quiet, not knowing what to say. When the ordeal was over, I remarked to the guy sitting next to me, “I’ve never seen him act like that, and why would you? It’s 4-5 year old t-ball.” I’ll never forget what he said to me. He said, “I guess we’ve all got a little bit of redneck in us.”

The truth is, “We’ve all got a little bit of legalism in us, too!”

Let me close with this consideration: Will you be more conscious to push back against your own legalistic inclinations; and instead unleash double portions of mercy and grace, especially to those within our faith-family? If each of us does that, I doubt we have to worry about legalism.

[1]A.J. Jacobs, The Year of Living Biblically: One Man’s Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible (New York, NY: Simon and Schuster Paperbacks), 2007. [2]Exodus 20:4: “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.” [3]Exodus 23:13: “Pay attention to all that I have said to you, and make no mention of the names of other gods, nor let it be heard on your lips.” [4]Jacobs, The Year of Living Biblically, 328. [5] R. C. Sproul, “3 Types of Legalism,” in Ligonier Ministries website, July 17, 2019. Accessible online: https://learn.ligonier.org/articles/3-types-legalism. [6]The letters to Galatia, Romans, Colossae, Ephesus, and Philippians mention this division specifically, but we see it throughout Paul’s ministry, too: the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15), Antioch (Gal. 2:11–14, etc.), Crete (Tit. 1:10), etc. [7]See also Romans 7:12. [8]Tim Challies, “Fourteen Signs that You Might be a Legalist,” in Tim Challieswebsite, July 2, 2023. Accessible online: https://www.challies.com/articles/fourteen-signs-that-you-might-be-legalistic/. Challies is quoting from Pat Nemmers’ book, Retractions.