Many Christians, including myself, abhor the hypocrisy of legalism. But if we react to it out of hurt and anger we risk becoming the very pharisee we despise. Legalism elevates doctrine above love, and without God's supernatural love, any doctrine is legalistic regardless of its accuracy or cultural relevance. This reaction to "hypocrisy" and "bigotry" breeds moral compromise masquerading as liberty, and a doctrine of grace that's an impotent religious icon. Sadly, legalism has become a condemning buzz word for denying the flesh.
"For certain men... have slipped in unnoticed...who change the grace of God into a license for immorality." (Jude 4) If false grace crept into the church "unnoticed" then it must have been camouflaged in truth. It's politically correct to tolerate distortions of grace, but such compromise originates in hell and maligns the very foundation of Christ's doctrine, which is repentance. (Heb 6:1) Such error may seem innocent, but it ultimately leads to defeat. Simply inviting Jesus into your heart without true repentance violates scripture and imperils souls.
Grace is required for salvation (Eph 5:5, 8) but it's also true that "Unless you repent you will perish." (Lk 13:3,5) Repentance is to turn away from sin. There is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, not merely believes. (Lk 15:7, 10) Jesus began his ministry with a universal call to repentance. "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." The great commission of the church is to preach "repentance and remission of sins..." (Lk 24:47) Without this foundation of repentance, Christ's victory will elude you.
God's grace is neither forgiveness nor an insurance policy to cover sin. Grace is not some mystical revelation that nullifies our obligation to pursue death to self. Leniency toward sin under the pretense of justice and mercy is also not grace, it's self-righteousness.
Grace is the multifaceted influence of God's presence in us. Grace is not merely a doctrine, it's literally Jesus Christ (Jn 1:17) Paul didn't say "I know what I believe," he said "I know whom I have believed." (2 Tim 1:12) It's all about God's presence, and His unmerited favor enables us to abide in His presence. (Jn 15:6-7) Grace is supernatural endowment to overcome sin, and it's released through humility, faith and diligence.
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.” (Titus 2:11-12) True grace teaches and enables us to walk the narrow path of self denial
“For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” (Rom 6:14) That's not a loophole for irresponsibility, it's an affirmation that grace has liberated us from the law, so we can choose to let God reign in us. Grace imparts holiness and righteousness into our re-born spirit, but the heart needs a progressive transformation and the body a resurrection before we are complete in God. Being led by the Holy Spirit is the definition of a true child of God, and “if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” (Rom 8:13-14)
Grace and free will are not mutually exclusive, they're mutually essential. Just as faith without works is dead, likewise grace without repentance is fruitless. (Rom 6:10-18) “Therefore let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (Heb 12:1)
It's folly to assume that grace is irresistible, and mental assent is all that's required to receive it. Beware of the leaven of Calvinism. The bible clearly warns that we can “fail the grace of God,” (Heb 12:15) receive it “in vain,” (2 Cor 6:1) “fall from grace,” (Gal 5:4) and “pervert grace.”(Jude 4)
The new testament actually lists more commandments than the old, and dismissing them as legalism will not exempt you from obedience. It's hazardous to fear legalism more than God. Without grace our works are independent and futile, but grace without obedience is also futile. (Heb 12:28; Jn 15:5) Where sin abounds, grace much more abounds . . .not to excuse sin but to empower us to conquer it!
James defines this marriage of grace and works: “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. . . "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4)
Those verses may seem like pious religiosity, but such mandates are legalistic only if you attempt them without drawing near to God. Anguish and brokenness over our spiritual bankruptcy is the portal to amazing grace!
This is not about sinless perfection or self righteousness. It's simply a call to humility and purity, so the Lord can have full access to us. If you embark on the narrow path, Satan will accuse you of cultural irrelevancy, whispering “Did God really say?” And well meaning friends may label you as legalistic and super spiritual. But, “Do not let anyone deceive you, He who does what is right is righteous. . . Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God.” (1 Jn 3:7-10) LOVE epitomizes “what is right,” and only a pure heart can authentically express it. (1 Jn 2:15-10)
The biblical remedy for self-condemnation is not a doctrine of grace or “looking to the cross,” it's growing in love, (1 Jn 18-23) which is the purpose of repentance. “The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart.” (1 Tim 1:5) A pure heart can do nothing to earn salvation or increase God's love, but it pleases God because it positions us to receive his transforming grace. Repentance can be sincere while it's still weak and fragile, and God is pleased from the moment we haltingly set our hearts to fully obey. Every time we choose love over evil the Lord is delighted because he knows the eternal result, “And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself.” (1 Jn 3:3)
Therefore, “Be diligent to present yourself approved of God. . . rightly dividing the word of truth. . . The solid foundation of God stands, having this seal . . "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity." (2 Tim 2:15-19) Amazingly the seal of authentic doctrine is to “depart from iniquity.” Think about that. If your doctrine of grace is not founded on repentance from sin it does not have God's seal of approval.
Copyright 2011 by Hayden Humphrey
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