Legalism Good Works A good deed is one

Legalism

Good Works A good deed is one done • according to the right standard (God’ s revealed will) • from a right motive (love for God and others) • with a right purpose (the glory of God)

Legalism A distortion of obedience that can never produce good works in the true sense.

Legalism • Skews motive and purpose, seeing good deeds as ways to earn God’s favor • Is arrogant and contemptuous of those who do not labor in the same way • Squeezes humble kindness and compassion out of the heart

Pharisaical Legalism • Proud: “We are descended from Abraham”, so God must approve of our actions • Formalized every observance of the law, yet avoided what the law really required

Pharisaical Legalism • Emphasis on minors details, neglect of what matters most (Matt. 23: 23, 24) • Elaborate and misguided interpretations of the law, denying its true spirit and aim (Matt. 15: 3 -9; 23: 16 -24) • Substitution of human tradition for the law, binding consciences where God had left them free (Mark 2: 16 – 3: 6; 7: 1 -8) • At heart hypocritical, seeking human approval for themselves and condemning others (Luke 20: 4547; Matt. 6: 1 -8; 23: 2 -7)

Judaizers • Requiring Christian believers to become Jews by circumcision • Requiring observance of the Jewish calendar and religious laws • Denied the all-sufficiency of Christ (Gal. 3: 1 -3; 4: 21; 5: 2 -6) • Corrupted the way of salvation (Col. 2: 8 -23)

Modern Legalism In our own experience • Length of hair • Forms of dress • Places to avoid • People to avoid • Etc. , etc. ; …

Opposing Legalism • Beware lest opposition to legalism turns into antinomianism (Matt. 23: 1 -3) • Beware: We cannot let opposition to legalism cause us to stop dealing with real issues