Legalism is not just going too far with rules and standards. We all tend to think that the groups with more rules than we are the legalists.

Legalism is not measured on a sliding scale. You are either trying to measure up to some standards, and thus "self" righteous, or you are righteous some other way.

Our "rightness" is not measured by comparing ourselves to the Law. Paul said it this way in Philippians 3:8b-9, "that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith."

People who are practicing Legalism appear to be more spiritual and more passionate for the Lord. They are actually deceived.

In Colossians 2:20-23 Paul wrote, "If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, "Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!" (which all refer to things destined to perish with the using)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.

In Romans 5:20 Paul writes, "And the Law came in that the transgression might increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more"

Some fear that this lack of external law will produce wimpy worldly Christians. They are ignorant of, or underestimate the power of, the indwelling Jesus. The Apostle Paul, who knew the Gospel well, stated, "I am confident of this very thing, that He (Jesus) who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Phil 1:6

People practicing legalism are actually rebelling against God. Paul wrote in Romans 10:2-4, "For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. For not knowing about God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes."

If a person is trying to live up to the law they are NOT subjecting themselves to the righteousness of God!

True Christianity offers perfect "rightness" with God based on the Person and work of Jesus. A person enters into life in Christ by acknowledging that he CAN'T live up to God's standards (the Law). This self-unabling reality never changes. A Christian is called to walk by faith- believing what God has said and done. A Christian is to live from the internal reality of the Spirit of Christ within. The external code- yes the Law of God- no longer controls or condemns the "new creation" believer. The Christian is now a new creation with the will and desires of God written on his heart.

Our "rightness" is now based on HIS "rightness" which is perfect and complete. Our "rightness" is now a final reality because of Christ's work- period.

Ken Page