Question: What is Legalism?

    Answer: Legalism is defined as, "Strict adherence to law, especially to the letter rather than the spirit". (Random House College Dictionary, pg. 765)

    God’s law must be obeyed. Frankly, we are living in a lawless, rebellious age. This antinomianism (against law) is also witnessed in religion. There is little regard for religious authority today (God’s word). People believe what they do primarily because "it makes them feel good." Hence, the philosophy, "if it feels good, do it" is not absent in religion! Sincere Christians desiring to obey God and, out of love, point out religious error, are accused of being legalists. However, God’s law must be obeyed: Heb. 5:8,9, Jas. 1:22, Matt. 7:21-28, Rom. 2:6-10, 10:16, Lk. 6:46, etc.

    God rejects mechanical, meritorious obedience. Mechanical obedience is "obeying the letter rather than the spirit" of the law (Legalism). The Pharisees were guilty of this (Matt. 19:1-8, Lk. 18:10-14, Matt. 23: 15-33). It is impossible to merit salvation (Tit. 3:5, Lk. 17:10). To mechanically obey is to "obey" without love and true motivation (I Jn. 5:3, Rom. 6:17,18). But notice – obedience is still required!

    Legalism and Matthew 23:23. In Matthew 23:23 Jesus explained that the Pharisees were very exact. Even in some of the smallest of offerings. Jesus did not condemn this exactness. "…and have omitted the weightier matters of the law," Jesus denounces. Listen, beloved, to Jesus: "these (smaller offerings, dm) ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." Is obedience required? YES. Can one "obey" without the proper spirit and motivation? YES. Is such obedience acceptable to God? NO. Is such legalism? YES. Does the possibility of implicit obedience involving legalism mean we should not obey God’s law? OF COURSE NOT.