I’ve noticed that it’s always some other church that’s the legalistic one. It’s never my own. If it’s mine at all, it’s always the church I used to attend before I got free from all that legalistic nonsense. This is curious to me, for if there is such a thing as legalism, then someone must currently be stuck in it, but I can find few if any who will claim that status.
Yet we all have behavioral expectations. Every church or Christian institution I know of has categorized certain choices as inappropriate or off limits. In the Bible college I attended, we had all kinds of rules. Men weren’t allowed facial hair unless they were Jewish. We couldn’t grow hair past the top of our collars. We couldn’t walk on the grass. We couldn’t stay out past 11:00pm. Lights out at 11:30pm. No walking on the grass (clearly this one bugged me). No public (or private) displays of affection with girls. Girl had to wear skirts past their knees.
Was this legalism? Perhaps.
But if so, what might it mean to be free of legalism? Does trouncing on some freshly cut Bermuda Grass constitute freedom from legalism? For many it does. Because we think of legalism in terms of a particular set of rules, we tend to define freedom from legalism in terms of non-conformity to those rules. If your church doesn’t include instrumental music for corporate worship, then “freedom” means hiring a rock band. If your church doesn’t allow girls to show any skin below the chin, then freedom must mean the abandonment of such standards of modesty. The more skin the more freedom? Seems a suspicious trajectory if you take it far enough. But IF we define legalism in terms of rule keeping, this is the only definition of freedom available to us: not-rule keeping. But surely God has made us to be defined by more than what rules we do or do not follow.
What if legalism is something else altogether?
Paul tells as story in Galatians 4 about Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar. Through Hagar, Abraham’s son Ishmael was born. Through Sarah, Abraham’s son Isaac was born. They each represent one of two ways we can live before God. The two ways can be discussed with various terms: legalism/freedom, spirit/flesh, etc. The overall context of Galatians is Paul’s answer to the issue of legalism. Male believers in Galatia are being pressured to conform to Jewish law, specifically circumcision. This story lies at the heart of Paul’s response.
I find it interesting that the story isn’t about rules at all. It’s about source. The issue between Hagar and Sarah is that one relied upon what Abraham could do apart from God’s promise, provision, and power. The other relied upon God (though Abraham and Sarah obviously still had a role to play!).
Legalism is ultimately an expression of self-reliance. It’s not about rules. It’s about source. The problem with the Law isn’t that the Law isn’t right. It is. It just isn’t powerful. It can’t help you fulfill what it requires. It leaves you in the position of having to rely on self. Self-reliance is the root of legalism.
Once I recognize this, the issue of rules becomes a non-issue. If I’m truly legalistic (self-reliant), I can do so either as a rule keeper or a rule breaker. Either path, I’m relying on myself. If I conform to Bible Belt cultural mores concerning alcohol consumption or if I choose to adopt a more European approach–either way, if I’m relying on self I’m ultimately still bound in legalism.
On the other hand, if I’m looking to God(rather than my ability to conform to rules or my freedom to not conform) as my source, then there are very few rules that will bother me. His power enables me to follow any rule. This is the only model I’m aware of that makes sense of Paul’s actions. He wrote to the Galatians that if they submitted to circumcision then Christ would be of no benefit. This same Paul required Timothy to be circumcised in order to appease the Jews. Which is it Paul? Which rule should we follow? It’s not about that.
The Galatians were being asked to rely on their own effort to fulfill the Law. This isn’t congruent with Christ. Timothy wasn’t being asked to rely on his effort. His trust was in God’s power, promise, and provision. With God as his source, Timothy is free to submit to a great number of rather uncomfortable rules.
It’s all about source.
There’s no need to react to laws that prohibit by casting off all constraint. We are ultimately free to submit, to yield, to prefer others, to serve them. We can submit to rules, even unnecessary rules, without offense. This is true freedom from legalism.
37 Comments
2012-02-21 17:56:06
This goes a l ong way towards explaining the following statements made by Paul-For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospels sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. (1 Corinthians 9:19-23 NKJV)
2012-02-22 07:23:20
Great passage. I thought about including it in the post. You connect dots well, my friend!
2012-02-21 19:22:47
Alan, how did you get so smart? Thank you for sharing your insight with us! We are so blessed! Your blog always leaves me thinking!
2012-02-22 07:22:44
Still working on getting smart. Read, pray, hear, read, pray, hear is the current strategy. Thanks for your encouragement.
2012-02-21 20:11:12
Yup, wrecked by this. As per usual, awesome blogging dude.
Al
2012-02-22 07:21:43
Thanks Alex. You’re always such an encouragement to me!
2012-02-21 20:15:47
I was thinking about, and praying about, and talking about this very subject a couple of days ago. I was examining why I had thought that some people were “bad” and some people were “good”, and that I was one of the “bad” ones. I knew the truth, that we’re all sinners, and can be made righteous through Jesus Christ, and that I had been. But I still felt something at the core I was still “bad”. I had hope that the Holy Spirit would one day convince me that I’m righteous. He showed me that what I had identified as good or bad people, were really just rule-keepers or rule-breakers. It was the same old trap of focusing on my own knowledge of good and evil…both of which are still only knowledge, not life…not the source. I had asked to see His perspective on it, and your post helped a lot. Not surprisingly the same old self-reliance that causes me to not trust the rules, was holding me in bondage to them. God’s so generous with me that He doesn’t even make me ask twice or find my own scripture references. I’m very grateful for the amazing teachers that He led me to.
2012-02-22 07:21:23
Love this – especially how you are connecting the dots between this issue and the two trees.
2012-03-22 22:13:57
You really summed it up nicely!
2012-02-21 20:21:36
I really like this.
2012-02-22 07:20:42
I really like you. And i really like that you like this.
2012-02-21 20:50:09
“Legalism is ultimately an expression of self-reliance.” SO GOOD!
(I believe not being allowed to walk on the grass was legalism at its worst. In fact, I still avoid the grass out of sheer habit. And the skirt thing. Oh boy, the skirt thing. Scarred for life, I tell ya.)
2012-02-22 07:20:18
Let me know if you need me to set up a ministry session. You might need some freedom about the skirt/scarred for life thing. I bet I could get you on Aja’s calendar!
2012-02-21 20:58:49
Love. Just. Love. So love the heart of God in this man.
2012-02-22 07:18:55
Thanks Kim!
2012-02-21 21:04:47
Alan- Love it. Especially since I just finished your book and I gain so much from your writing. Glad you are blogging. It will help hold me over until your next book comes out! Great stuff. Since we visited last and your shared about “source”- I have been studying it. Great stuff..
2012-02-22 07:18:38
Thanks Ty! Love what God is doing in and through you in this season. Thanks for all your encouragement.
2012-02-21 21:35:47
Would this self-reliant legalism be tied to the self image of one who is still trying to tie his (her) holiness to works due to his (her) sin consciousness rather than to believing what the Word has to say about who he (she) was created to be and then redeemed through the blood of Jesus?
2012-02-21 21:37:28
Yep. Very related.
2012-02-21 22:01:38
I really love this: “We are ultimately free to submit, to yield, to prefer others, to serve them. We can submit to rules, even unnecessary rules, without offense. This is true freedom from legalism.”
Read that sentence three times because it’s just such yummy truth … truth like that just has to steep sometimes like a fabulous tea with rich flavor … the longer you let it steep the richer the revelation! Sayin’ let it steep Lord!
Greatness Alan! Thanks.
2012-02-22 07:17:53
I love writing stuff you think is “yummy truth”. I know I’ve hit the mark when I get that kind of feedback from you!
2012-02-21 23:19:03
The first time I went to CFNI and my wife told me I wasn’t allowed to walk on the grass I threw a freedom fit. I believe my exact words were, ‘they don’t own me’, as I hop-scotched my way through that green pasture.
Great post!
2012-02-22 07:17:00
Ha! My first action upon graduation was to run across the grass. I’m not proud of this.
2012-02-22 16:47:04
Great Blog Alan! Your a blessing sir.
“Its all about the power.”
Good stuff. I’m gonna keep bathing this. I should..
2012-02-26 09:14:04
Thanks Rodney!
2012-02-23 07:40:13
Very well stated. Seems that in this generation of believers there is no willingness to be held to any accountability for living the life of a believer; i.e 1John 3:23; outcry comes up “Legalism!” This is suddenly the “shield de jour” the silver bullet discounting any words of rebuke, correction or even questioning as to what the thought behind a word or action might be.
In this article you have well stated the truth about legalism.
Seems that each time I hear your thoughts, teaching and spirit I am more grateful to God for the gift to the Body of Christ you are becoming. Thanks
2012-02-26 09:14:52
Thanks for reading and leaving some encouragement Hal!
2012-02-24 09:34:17
Yet again, Why I love ya!
I honestly had not thought about freedom in the realm of submission and following rules to lead others to Christ. Very cool, especially for a girl who likes to break rules, just for the sake of breaking rules….
2012-02-26 09:16:01
Hi Bonnie! It’s been a shift in thinking about legalism for me too. Source not rules.
2012-02-24 11:16:48
This was a must read for me, perfect timing on God’s part! Learning to walk in grace and resting in the new covenant, I needed this read. I agree with Marissa that your ending statement is the bomb!
Thank you!
2012-02-26 09:16:40
Hi Dana,
Thanks so much! I’m excited about your new worship project. Can’t wait to hear it!
2012-02-27 22:12:22
Alan, this is a tremendous explanation of legalism. God does free us to follow Him. I know I will read this many more times. It really is the heart of the Bible, becoming the person God made us to be.
Thanks Alan
2012-03-22 13:29:08
Alan, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this!! Thank you so much for sharing! Freedom indeed!
2012-03-22 15:02:36
Thanks Angie!
2012-03-22 22:18:31
I am willing to admit that I still struggle at times with legalism. Praise God I’m not like I used to be!!! And I especially praise Him for the teachers He has put in my path to teach me, keep leading me to the Source, and to know life, instead of seeking knowledge.
Thanks, Alan…..keep writing, keep teaching, keep loving Him. You shine!
2012-03-23 15:20:34
Good post! Legalism sucks. It’s scary how often it can crop up in my life or in other people’s lives, even after getting freed up of another “layer.” For example, I’ve learned that it is possible to worship one’s identity in Christ.
2012-08-29 10:50:18
Alan,
I like how you respond to each and every comment that was placed before you.
That shows your heart, the Father’s heart and just how relatably open and friendly you are.
Thanks! That’s really refreshing.
As well, I’ve been a listener of Gateway Church’s music for some time.
Thumbs up with a Hallel-uyah!
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