A big theme throughout Galatians is that we are no longer under subjugation to The Law. This meant that Galatian believers were not to be subjected to the rituals and ceremonies of Judaism. It also meant that people were not to be excluded from belonging and fellowship on that basis. So, an important application from Galatians is our understanding of Law and the danger of legalism.
It is important to be clear up front about what legalism is not. Legalism is not about obedience, about doing what God says. Torah observance was not in and of itself legalism. In fact, Jesus and the New Testament authors including Paul, Peter, James and John were all clear that Christians were to pursue godliness through costly obedience. Yet they would insist that legalism was not the way to encourage that kind of discipleship and bring about sanctification.
So what is legalism? I would define it as follows:
Legalism is an approach to our relationship with God which is based on a mechanistic understanding of that relationship with him and as a result with each other. The presumption is that if I do x,y and z then I will enjoy a good relationship with God and others as well as a fruitful and happy life both now and into eternity. This means that if I do not enjoy those things then I am tempted to presume that this is because I have failed to do x,y and z either at all, in the way or to the standard demanded.
What this means is that legalism is both to do with how I think I come into Christianity and how I go on. This is important because if I think that my relationship with God is dependent on what Im do then not only will I think that I’m saved by my works but it will affect my attitude to daily Christian life, calling and use of gifts.
In fact, I am likely to see my calling and the specific responsibilities I have in church life not as a gift at all but as a burden. These are things I have to do. I may know that I’m saved by grace but I may be tempted to think that God’s ongoing love is dependent upon them. I may either lack assurance, thinking that if I don’t keep up the standards then God will give up on me and I will lose my salvation. Or I may consider myself a second class Christian if I am not achieving certain things. The problem with such a view is that whatever we do is never enough, the burden keeps growing. There is always something more that I could and should be doing for Jesus. In that respect I find the account of God’s message to David in 1 Chronicles 17 so helpful. In that passage, David has expressed his intent and desire to build a house for God. The Lord sends Nathan to tell David that he is not the one to build a house for God but in fact God will build a house for him. In fact, God points out that the has always been providing for David and the people. God has never asked for and never will ask for anything in return.
But legalism is also about our relationship with other people. Church leaders, pastors, ministry leaders and parents can use it in a way that controls others. This can come out of a genuine desire to encourage godliness and protect the church. I don’t think that everyone who got caught up in the agitators’ agenda in Galatia was doing so from bad motives but they do seem to have acted out of fear. However, it is easy to use legalism to create a dependency culture and so those with evil motives will certainly rely on it as a tactic.
Legalism is dangerous because it encourages pride. We think that we can earn God’s pleasure and the approval of others. We see God’s love and the welcome, care and friendship of others in the church family as based on who we are, our qualities and what we do.
Legalism is dangerous because it is transaction and this leads to manipulation and control. Legalism therefore is often motivated by guilt and linked with shame. In fact, we can find ourselves thinking that those making the rules are judging us and shaming us. Sadly, sometimes we are spot on, we are being judged and shamed. Romans 8:1 is very clear that “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” There is no place for judging and shaming in the Christian life.
Legalism is dangerous because it deals with externals and so fails to deal with heart matters We keep the rules externally but our inner thought life and are deepest desires are never challenged or changed. In Galatians, Paul offers a better way, life in Spirit where the heart and its desires are changed leading to truly fruitful and godly living.
Faithroots 