Are you living according to a long list of "Do's and Don'ts?" Or do you live according to an "Anything Goes" lifestyle? Here we will look into legalism and liberty through the eye's of God which is His word. Most of this study will be taken from the book of Galatians. But to start let's take a look at John's Gospel.
John 1:17
17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (KJV)
Meditate on this verse for a minute and let it sink in.
Gal 2:16
16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. (KJV)
Gal 2:21
21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. (KJV)
Looking into these verses, we see that being declared righteous could never happen as a result of the works of or by obeying the law. The law can not possibly save us. But after we have become Christians it can guide us to live as God requires.
Believers today may still be in danger of acting as if Christ died for nothing. How? By replacing Jewish Legalism with their own brand of Christian Legalism, they are giving people extra laws to obey. By believing they can earn God's favor by what they do, they are not trusting completely in Christ's work on the cross.
Gal 3:1-6
1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. (KJV)
Gal 3:11-14
11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (KJV)
When believers are swept into Cults and heretical teaching, who is to blame? Poor leadership or lack of clear doctrinal teaching may be partly at fault, but consider an even more basic reason. Jesus warned his disciples that he was sending us out among wolves. That we are to be as wise as serpents and has harmless as doves. (Matt: 10:16) To often Christians act a though they are little more than sitting ducks! They lack thought and discernment. There faith is characterized by naive assumptions, intellectual, laziness, and practical shallowness. Instead of being alert sheep, watching for danger, they wander in ignorance. Are you wise? Or is your faith largely second hand and rarely analyzed, vulnerable to the slightest change? Have you thought through your faith or are you susceptible to every wind of doctrine?
Looking further into the text, has God's indwelling come as a result of legal efforts or a simple believing response? Are you trying to please God by your own good works or are you trusting in Christ and then living to please God? Do you practice diligent service, discipline, and obedience in hope of reward? Or do you confess, submit, and commit, yourself to Christ's control?
There are two ways to falsely understand our relationship with God:
- To believe that we can be saved by works, or
- To believe that we can grow by our works.
Both are dead ends.
The Judaizers had lead the Galatians to believe that keeping the law would help there spiritual growth and maturity. But Paul's point was that faith is all that is needed, both for salvation and for every day growth toward maturity.
When we attempt to earn what God has already given, we treat Christ's death as though it were nothing. Trying to grow on our own strength will stunt our growth. To grow into Christian maturity, to be made perfect, we must grow in faith and rely on the Holy Spirit.
Trying to be justified before God by the law doesn't work. Sinful humans can not attain the perfection demanded by the law. Good intentions, such as "I'll do better next time" or "I'll never do that again" usually end up in failure, because "the just shall live by faith."
The law demanded obedience while implying dire consquences for disobedience. Given our inevitable failure to meet the demands of the law perfectly, the law serves as a curse. Taken alone, the law becomes a hopeless treadmill from which we may fall at any moment. In fact, by the time we realize the impossible demands of the law, we have already fallen. Because the law expresses perfect justice, it includes no remedy for those who fail to meet its demands. Unless we receive help, we have no hope. We can not redeem ourselves; we need a redeemer.
"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law." At the cross, the curse of the law was transfered from sinful humanity to the sinless son of God. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law in order "That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles." This "Blessing" refers to justification by faith and not by the law, to be offered to Gentiles as well as to Abraham's decendants, the Jews.
Gal 3:19-26
19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.(KJV)
The law had two functions.
- It had a negative function: "It was added because of transgressions," Meaning that God had given the law to punish sin.
- It had a strong positive function: The law reveals the nature and will of God, and it shows people how to live. Thus, it had been given to restrain transgressions by helping people recognize wrong behavior and thus refrain from it. Negatively, the law points out peoples sins and shows them that it is impossible to please God by trying to obey all his laws completely. It was given to reveal transgressions, causing people to realize their sinfulness and their desperate need of a savior.
The picture of the law serving as a "schoolmaster" shows that the law was a temporary measure meant to lead us to Christ. Lets take a closer look into these laws.
- Ceremonial Law
This kind of law relates specifically to Israel's worship. Its primary purpose was to point forward to Jesus Christ. Therefore, these laws were no longer necessary after Jesus' death and resurrection. While we are no longer bound by ceremonial laws, the principles behind them--to worship and love a holy God--still apply. The Jewish Christians often accused the Gentile Christians of violating the ceremonial law.
- Civil Law
This type of law dictated Israel's daily living. Because modern society and culture are so radically different, some of these guidelines cannot be followed specifically. But the principles behind the commands should guide our conduct. At times, Paul asked Gentile Christians to follow some of these laws, not because they had to, but in order to promote unity.
- Moral Law
This sort of law is the direct command of God--for example, the Ten Commandments. It requires strict obedience. It reveals the nature and will of God, and it still applies to us today. We are to obey this moral law not to obtain salvation, but to live in ways pleasing to God.
The Old Testament still applies today. In it God has revealed his nature, his will for humanity, his moral laws, and his guidelines for living. The law still serves as a demanding instructor to those who have not yet believed. But we can not be saved by keeping that law; now that faith has come we must trust in Christ.
Gal 4:9-11
9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.
11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain. (KJV)
The "weak and beggarly elements" that lured the Galatians away from freedom in Christ continue to entice us. They take many forms, but their essential character remains unchanged; they offer what they cannot provide. Even when disguised by religious language and formality, these "basics" lead to continued slavery. The "gospel" of religious busyness and the mindless keeping of endless rules rob us of our freedom in Christ and keep us enslaved.
In verse 10, the days referred to keeping the Jewish Sabbath or other specified dates in the Jewish calendar. The observance of months would be the New Moon celebrations of the Jews. Seasons would refer to the festivals that lasted several days.
Paul did not condemn the celebration of the Jewish events for he himself kept the Sabbath and still traveled to Jerusalem for certain festivals. He would have condemned the Gentile Galatians celebrating the Jewish holidays in order to some how receive more merit before God or fulfill some legal duty in doing so. The God honoring festivals were not bad in themselves; but when used as a way to earn salvation or "score brownie points" with God, they became nothing more than slavery.
Gal 4:21-5:1
21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (KJV)
Christ has set us free from legalistic formulas, from God's judgement upon sin, from all man made rules, and from the subjective experiences of fear and guilt. To turn back to the law and try to earn what Christ has already given mocks his sacrifice. Paul's command to the Galatians who wanted to return to legalism was to keep on standing firm in their God given, blood purchased freedom, refusing to be "entangled again with the yolk of bondage."
Gal 5:3-4
3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. (KJV)
James 2:10
10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. (KJV)
If we choose to keep the law then we are "debtors to the whole law" and if we "offend in one point", we are "guilty of all."
Rom 14:1-6
1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. (KJV)
We see here that we are not to quarrel about issues that are matters of opinion. Differences should not be feared or avoided but excepted and handled with love. The disputes mentioned are not about doctrines essentials to salvation, but are discussions about differences of life styles. Differences of opinion need not cause division. They can be a source of learning and richness in our relationships.
We see that eating anything may refer to freedom from certain Jewish dietary restrictions. When Jews became Christians, many still would be concerned about the proper preparation of food according to their laws. Such restrictions made it impossible for Jewish and Gentile believers to even sit down at a meal together. The person weaker in the faith eats only vegatables and refuses to eat meat for fear that it had been improperly prepared or that it had been offered to idols.
When believers differ over disputes or matters of opinion, they should not look down on or condemn each other. Paul responds to both brothers in love. both are acting according to their consciences, but their honest disputes do not need to be made into rules for the Church. Our principle should be: in essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in everything love.
While the Church must be uncompromising in its stand against activities that are expressly forbidden by Scripture it should not create additional rules and regulations and give them equal standing with God's law.
This great principle of freedom should guide us: we are to dedicate our actions, attitudes, and habits to the Lord. The questions that others ask us about our convictions should cause us to ask, "am I doing this out of resepct for God?"
Rom 14:13-23
13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. (KJV)
Believers are not to judge one another regarding their convictions on matters of opinion. The strong but insensitive Christian may flaunt his or her freedom, be a harmful example, and thus offend others' consciences. The scrupulous but weak Christian may try to fence others in with petty rules and regulations, thus causing dissension. Both strong and weak Christians can cause their brothers and sisters to stumble. A stumbling block or obstacle refers to something that might cause someone to trip or fall into sin.
The conduct of stronger believers is not to be decided by what they feel is their better insight into the Scriptures, or what they feel would strengthen those weaker ones. Rather, it is to be decided by love and sensitivity. When believers persist in flaunting their freedom in certain areas, this could result in that very freedom being slandered because of their unloving attitude.
Convictions are our feelings about actions that we consider good. Whether abstaining from meat or enjoying meat both parties were to speak their mind. But they were not to insist theirs was the only possible exercise of freedom. In disputable matters, believers are free to partake or abstain.
While Paul urges us to be sensitive to those whose faith may be harmed by our actions, we should not sacrifice our liberty in Christ just to satisfy the selfish motives of those who are trying to force their opinions on us. Strong believers need not judge their own liberty by the troubled consciences of the weak. Each believer is to follow Christ.
Food and our feelings about it, or any scruples that are not specifically condemned in scripture, are not worth arguing about, flaunting, or judging--these should never be allowed to tear down other believers or tear apart the church.
It is wrong for one believer to insist on his or her freedom when it causes others' faith to falter. If it causes someone else to fall, then put it aside for the other's sake. Paul wrote to the believers in Corinth; "'Everything is permissible'--but not everything is beneficial. 'Everything is permissible'--but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others....So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God."
In those areas of disagreement, Paul counsels the believers to keep their beliefs between themselves and God. The brother or sister who believes in certain freedoms should not be trying to influence others with scruples to "loosen up." Those bothered by some actions should not be judging or condemning those with freedom, nor should they be trying to force their scruples on the entire church. Instead all believers should seek a clear conscience before God.
When God shows us that something is wrong for us, we should avoid it. But we should not look down on other Christians who exercise their freedom in those areas.
If you desire to investigate this a little further I would suggest studying 1 Corinthians 8-10 and Colossians 2:1-23.
(Portions of this article are from the Life Application Bible Commentary)
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