On my way into work this morning, a thought popped into my head. How many times are people who are striving to be holy chided for being legalistic? Maybe they choose not to drink alcohol. Maybe they choose to have a more limited vocabulary. Maybe they don’t watch the same movies or listen to the same music as everyone else. And how many times are these believers scoffed for being legalistic?
I grew up in a pretty conservative Christian home. And I’ve spent a lot of my adult life trying to find the balance between being legalistic and having too much “freedom in Christ”. And there is a movement in the church today that is somewhat disturbing. Essentially, it portrays itself in a way that says, “It doesn’t matter how you act as long as you love everybody.” This is an oversimplification of the gospel. It negates the teachings of Christ, Paul, and others about living in holiness. I realize it is probably a knee-jerk reaction to the legalism that flourished in the evangelical church in the late 1900′s (and still flourishes in some places), but we can’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. True, we are called to love God and love others. But holiness matters. Right living matters. And our lives will be better if we seek to live the way the Bible has taught us.
On the flip side of this coin is that legalism is often mistaken for holiness. What I mean is that some people really have no love for God or others, but feel they are living godly, “holy” lives because they have this list of “pet sins” that they choose to avoid, and do a fairly good job of avoiding them. These lists seldom ever include things like “gossip, lust, or greed” but often include things like “drinking alcohol, adultery, tobacco use, pornography, or $5-buy in poker.” As Paul wrote in I Corinthians 13, if we give all we have to the poor or speak with the tongues of men and angels, but have not love, we have nothing.
Our faithfulness to Christ is not defined by our avoidance of certain vices. It is defined by our love for Christ and for others. But it should be expressed in the choices we make. Numerous times in the gospels, Jesus makes the statement (or a similar one), “If you love me, keep my commands.” Primarily, this includes loving God and loving others, but it also includes many of the other things.
One of the things I’ve tried to teach my youth group over the years is that Christianity is more about the things we are called to DO, than the things we are called NOT TO DO. But that doesn’t mean that the avoidance of sin doesn’t matter. Daily I battle temptations and impulses that validate my humanity and give me opportunities to choose God’s way over my own. In the times I get it right and choose God’s way, it is not done out of legalism, but rather out of love.
What are your views on holiness and legalism? Is living holy the same as being legalistic? Or does it even matter? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
BRAVO! This has been on my mind and heart so much the last few days(really the last few months- but the last few days it has been over-whelming) and I am so glad you stepped up and said it!!! God’s design works a certain way, He blesses us through right living (and it really, really starts in the HEART) so there is nothing wrong with wanting to do what is right in His sight out of love and respect for Him.
For instance- I have no tattoo’s and will probably never get one. And I LOVE tattoo’s, ok? But when I seriously considered getting one a few months back, I prayed about it, researched what God’s word said about it, thought about the content of the image I wanted (and decided that what I was wanting to get was actually a graven image of God- it’s a long story) and I just felt my Heavenly Father ask me to not do it. Seriously. Plain and simple. Period. So out of love and respect and reverence for what I felt God saying to me- I didn’t. But boy, oh, boy! I wanted that tattoo!!! And I have nothing against tattooed people. I think tat’s are neat. But when I got real and honest before God about it, I heard an emphatic, “No.” So I obliged b/c I didn’t want to disrespect God’s feelings on the subject. I can’t explain why some people feel it’s ok in God’s sight and for me He said, “No.” I don’t know. I just know what I was told. But I don’t judge anyone for them. But I know for a fact some people would say I’m being legalistic.
I’m very grateful for this blog you have written! Thank you for being so bold! I believe our Church and youth are at a pivotal juncture with the whole ‘it’s not about rules- it’s about relationship’ movement and I think we really need to pray about it! Its a movement that has started off with it’s heart in the right place- but it’s kind of starting to look like it’s taken on a life of it’s own (and possibly not in a good way). I’m a very firm believer in prayer and I hope anyone who reads this, including you, Jason, will pray about this whole thing for our youth and church however the Spirit leads.
Jessica, thank you so much for your kind comments. Your example of the tattoo is a great example. I like looking at tats as well, but don’t have any of my own. And some might say I/we are being legalistic. But, some who have chosen not to get a tattoo may find themselves in a position to judge those who do. I have been known to have a drink on occasion, or play a $5 game of poker with some friends (cheaper than a movie and it’s fun and interactive). These aren’t indulgences or excesses that pull me away from God’s call on my life or cause me to be a bad husband or father. These are thin lines to walk. But I think there are even greater issues than skin art and penny-ante poker games that affect the church (I’m not downplaying your testimony), such as sexuality-that you alluded to on Twitter, that seem to not matter any more. And biblical models of sex inside of marriage are considered archaic and obsolete. We must continue to seek God as we seek to find what’s right for our lives. Thank you again for your thoughts.
Jessica,
The legalists of the Bible were often the ones throwing around the labels. In my experience most people who judge a person as a legalist are doing so from a legalistic basis of belief and practice. Jesus had that same problem with the Pharisees. Keep asking God for such guidance. It’s the relationship way to go (though asking can be a “magic” practice for some) if it comes from love and responds in love. What a great example.
The thing that separates legalism from holiness is motive. Legalism tends to be “look at me compared to you” while holiness is “look at God through me.”
Great article!!!
Kevin, man that sums it up. Legalism looks at self, while holiness looks to God. Man, I didn’t really get to do it justice, but I also loved your guest post on Carl’s blog with the “Encounter With God” story. Thank you for sharing it.
You discredit yourself. You did as good a job as I’ve ever read.
Legalism vs holiness. Faith vs works. These are battles that have raged forever.
Excellent post bro! I am so grateful God forgives sin so much more readily than believers forgive each other. If we discover how powerful grace really is, we are more motivated to be Christ-like rather than simply trying to be better Christians!
Yes, I left out the part that Christ IS our holiness and true righteousness is only found in him. I guess I made the assumption my audience would be familiar with that doctrine. That’s a great distinction, being Christ-like as opposed to being a better Christian. Have you ever made a photocopy of a document, then made a copy of the copy? Being a better Christian sometimes is like trying to make a copy of a copy…not nearly as good as the original. Thanks for the read and the comment!
Great post. For me, it comes down to one thing. Yes, we need to want to be holy. The only way, however, we will ever be able to be holy, is through the salvation of Jesus Christ, the Lord. We cannot and will never be able to as human beings, be able to be holy from out own power.
The issue with being seen as being legalistic, it becomes slightly sticky, since we aren’t of this world, but we still live in this world, and for, for one reason, and that is to share the Good News. The implications of this is, choose not to do certain things, since it comes from a conviction you have towards doing or saying stuff not being right, but don’t scoff at the people that do. In that behavior of looking down on people that do the things we feel are wrong, lies the problem the world has with Christians. We are very fast to look down on the people that do things differently (judging), but then they are not allowed to say anything back. Why is it that the social outcasts of the time were DRAWN to Jesus? He was constantly surrounded by these people! Should we not be surrounded by these people, rather than be surrounded by people that think and do the same as us?
Very good thoughts. I like the way you said that we often judge in a way that doesn’t allow people to say anything in response. Absolutely we should be surrounded by the marginalized and the outcasts. I also think we should broaden our scope and get some exposure to people who don’t think and act like we do (that’s one reason I love social media). But I think it is the nature of religious faith to be so rigid in our beliefs that we have no room for personal growth nor do we have room for those who are not like us. I don’t think that was ever part of Jesus’ plan. I guess one thing that grates on me (tangent alert) is that often those who tend to be less “legalistic” although more accepting of everyone, seem to be less accepting of those who seek to live holiness the way they understand it (call them conservatives, evangelicals, Baptists, whatever). I’ve learned to really embrace people who think differently than me, not because I think they are right, but because it challenges what I believe and forces me to take a greater hold of what I belief with a deeper conviction. Thank you so much for your thoughts and the work you do with the outcasts. While I know God is doing a work in my ministry, I am challenged by people like you who work daily with those who are not accepted by everyone.
Jason. Thanks for the comments, and I agree with you completely, there is a very fine line at the end of the day.
Thanks for sharing! I think it’s a very interesting concept proposed here. It really is a thin line to walk, and I’m sure it’s a topic that comes up often in your youth group (what’s “right”? what’s “wrong”?). But, I think the important aspect is making choices that you feel are right, and being the example you’d want to be to others. It’s too easy to do what you feel makes you more “holy,” and judge others who don’t, but it may be different in God’s eyes. In the end, like you said, a tattoo or a poker game might not weigh as much as whether or not you impact lives and lead others towards Christ.
Great post, Jason. I have never been one to struggle with leagalism, but I have had all kinds of issues with holiness. But as usual, I think Kevin hit the nail on the head. It’s more about motive. I want to be holy because God loves me. Impressing people just doesn’t impress me much anymore…
Well, said!
You commented once on a previous post I had that it should all be about “love”. And when you think about it, you can’t be legalistic if you are doing something out of love (even abstaining from sin in a loving obedience to God’s commands). I suppose that’s one reason you never struggled with legalism. For me, growing up, it was more about the “don’ts” than the “do’s”. So, a lot of this is stuff I’ve had to come to grips with on my own terms. But now as I’ve gotten older, I see people blasting those who seek to be holy as if they’re getting it wrong. That frustrates me. Thanks as always for your comments, Carl.
I agree with the Cowboy (that’s what we call him at my house), you’ve done a great job and a good service with this post. This issue has been on Christ’s heart since the beginning of his earthly ministry. Probably was before he came down. The doing things in love, because of love, follows Jesus’ example on earth–even in holiness. While we are imputed righteousness (right standing in God’s sight), holiness becomes the expression of that standing as our love for Him and it’s twin, the desire to please him, work their way out into our lifestyle. Micah 6:8 says, “What does the Lord require of you?” In the three part answer is the statement “to walk humbly with your God.” Walking with God, God walking with us, when it works into the moment by moment consciousness of our mind just naturely flows out in holy living. Not by magic. But by the transformation that comes from the renewing of our minds as we walk and talk, shoulder to shoulder with our God.
Wayne, what great thoughts. Walking with God is the most important part, not even the holiness we might seek. Thank you for sharing.
Legalism paints God as a judgmental tyrant who brandishes a whip, threatening to punish if you disobey, while Holiness shows him for what He really is; a loving, kind and patient father who desperately warns his wayward and disobedient children of the consequences of their actions.
Legalism is the words of God without the understanding of His nature and intent of his words.
Legalism is like a man’s eldest son who he tells to go outside and tell his younger brother to not ride his bike in the street because he doesn’t want him getting hurt and if he doesn’t listen he will find himself in trouble , but instead of expressing his father’s concern for his safety he runs out to his little brother and yells “dad said he is going to swat you if you ride your bike in the street.”
Legalism and those who practice it, may indeed quote scripture word for word, but they, like the older brother are misrepresenting the true intent and purpose of the words of their father. And if they are not careful, the judgment that they promise will fall on others will most assuredly fall upon them.