Legalism in the Christian Faith
Do not do, do not do, do not do, Don't! Don't touch! Don't taste! It is a pattern legalism. It is a pattern that provides a list of dos and don'ts in the effort to achieve a state of obedience away from fear of failure of disobedience. It is based on one's capacity to navigate the corners, the avenues, the lanes and the stages of the law and finish up successful. But what exactly is the right direction for Christianity in regard attaining righteousness that God delights in?
22 Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. Colossians 2:20-22 (NIV)
The liberty that we have received in Christ has the capacity to set us free from the legal boundaries whose results can only be merited to the efforts of man. God is not interested in man's efforts to please Him through a legalistic living. He has provided us with the grace to follow beyond the boundaries of human commandments. Actually, this is clearly defined in the Holy Scriptures, that we need not the righteousness of the law but that which comes through faith in Christ Jesus.
7But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
Philippians 3:7-9
In the above scripture, the Apostle Paul is very outright concerning the righteousness of God and the righteousness of the law. Indeed both are based in the effort to overcome sin and walk in obedience to God. However, the truth here remains; that God has given Christ Jesus as a Propriation for our sins. Having Jesus as the central reference in our pursuit for righteousness is the greatest focus. This is because however sincere man's motives and efforts to please God may be, failure to achieve this is the fate that man encounters often. The fallen nature of man is a license to disobedience already- he does not need anything to define that. The dire state of man's need for salvation clearly emanates from his fall from God's glory.
Grace sets in
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
John 1:17
Since the law already came through Moses, Jesus comes to define the way to God's, righteousness- and He actually was the way. Legalism wasn't made to bring righteousness, rather, it was made to bring the conscientiousness of sin. Apparently, holding to the perspective of works dismisses the value of grace and renders the gift as a wage. This is why legalism has not placed any righteousness to the culprits of grace.
The grace of God is the basis of the righteousness of God that is in Christ Jesus.
22 Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. Colossians 2:20-22 (NIV)
The liberty that we have received in Christ has the capacity to set us free from the legal boundaries whose results can only be merited to the efforts of man. God is not interested in man's efforts to please Him through a legalistic living. He has provided us with the grace to follow beyond the boundaries of human commandments. Actually, this is clearly defined in the Holy Scriptures, that we need not the righteousness of the law but that which comes through faith in Christ Jesus.
7But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
Philippians 3:7-9
In the above scripture, the Apostle Paul is very outright concerning the righteousness of God and the righteousness of the law. Indeed both are based in the effort to overcome sin and walk in obedience to God. However, the truth here remains; that God has given Christ Jesus as a Propriation for our sins. Having Jesus as the central reference in our pursuit for righteousness is the greatest focus. This is because however sincere man's motives and efforts to please God may be, failure to achieve this is the fate that man encounters often. The fallen nature of man is a license to disobedience already- he does not need anything to define that. The dire state of man's need for salvation clearly emanates from his fall from God's glory.
Grace sets in
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
John 1:17
Since the law already came through Moses, Jesus comes to define the way to God's, righteousness- and He actually was the way. Legalism wasn't made to bring righteousness, rather, it was made to bring the conscientiousness of sin. Apparently, holding to the perspective of works dismisses the value of grace and renders the gift as a wage. This is why legalism has not placed any righteousness to the culprits of grace.
The grace of God is the basis of the righteousness of God that is in Christ Jesus.
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