Is This Legalism?
Greg Koukl and Amy Hall respond to a listener’s question: “As I share my faith on Instagram, how can I respond to claims that standing on biblical truth amounts to legalism and also guard myself from real legalism?”
#StandtoReason #STRask #Apologetics #Christianity #Evangelism #Legalism #ChristianLiving
––––– CALL IN TO THE SHOW –––––
Have a question or comment? Call Greg Koukl, live Tuesdays 4-6pm Pacific Time, at (855) 243-9975.
––––– SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION –––––
If you’d like to submit your question ahead of time for the broadcast, or if you’d like to submit a question for the #STRask podcast, fill out our form at https://www.str.org/broadcast.
––––– FIND MORE FREE TRAINING –––––
Website: https://www.str.org/
Stand to Reason University: https://training.str.org/
Stand to Reason Apps: https://www.str.org/apps
––––– CONNECT –––––
Twitter: https://twitter.com/STRtweets
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standtoreason93
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standtoreason
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stand-to-reason/
––––– GIVE –––––
Support the work of Stand to Reason: https://str.org/donate
source
The disciple of Jesus glorifies God not ONLY by extolling His forgiveness and grace but by being transformed by Him. God is not well-served by a believer who remains perennially mired in sin – especially the sin that bound them five, ten, or twenty years ago. It is a poor testimony to God's power and the greatness of His promises to His children to change them to claim to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit but unable to point to His transformation of one's mind and heart in an on-going and increasingly profound way. Romans 8:29, Galatians 5:22-23, 2 Corinthians 3:18.
Matthew 12 says a lot about this. It talks about legalism and what’s in the heart. What our words say or the attitude of our behaviour when our guard is down reveals what’s in our hearts. If we don’t have remorse when we speak harshly or use perverse speech (swearing, dirty jokes) there is something wrong in our hearts.
Legalism: this is really context dependent. If a person is Christian, then they seek to live by the indwelling Spirit and seek to live in a godly manner: transforming their mind…'godly manner' does not imply middle class niceities. What it does imply is honourable conversations, even if blunt at ti mes.
If the person is not Christian, we don't talk about 'morals' at all, we talk about the distance between life and death and the part they are in; the part they need to reject, turn to Christ to live life to the fullest, in real terms, not hedonistic ones.
Christianity is not a morality club. Plenty of 'moral' people are separated from Christ. Plenty of people who struggle with sin aren't.
I love when apologists or pastors take the time to define words like "judge" or "legalism" or even "love" – words we use all the time, but have multiple meanings and can cause confusion in conversations.
I heard that accusation SO many times when I was in college, I had to self examine. I believe that mostly I was just trying to define the line between light and darkness. Among my neo-evangelical and charismatic friends, the definition seemed to be, “Legalism is anything you say is wrong but I want to do.”
I think “legalism” is a bit broader than “trying to earn salvation.” It includes imposing on others, forcefully, personal standards about adiaphora (gray areas), as requirements for blessing or service.
Legalism hits closer to home when, rather than turning to God in repentance for mercy and grace, one surrenders to guilt and retreats into self condemnation, isolation, and depression.
The advice about flipping one’s focus from sins to virtues makes a lot of sense. Then one can shift attitudes from failure and condemnation to forgiveness, renewal, and emulation of Christ.
Did Jesus stand for biblical truth? Then was Jesus a legalist?
Jesus kept the loved the law, kept the law…keeping the law and loving the law (biblical standards) is not legalism. I haven't listen yet, but certainly will. Blessings!