How do we help a believer who has lived in a legalistic environment for over 20 years?
Answer:
Before we can answer this question, let us define legalism. Legalism is defined by the “Dictionary of Bible Themes” as “the belief that salvation demands or depends upon total obedience to the letter of the law. Examples of legalism include an excessive concern for minute details of the law coupled with a neglect of its fundamental concerns, and a preoccupation with human legal traditions.
As seen in the definition above, legalism is a broad category encompassing:
• Works-based salvation: the belief that we are declared just on the basis of our good works. This is wrong because the scripture teaches that we are justified on the basis of our faith in what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross when he appease the wrath of God and clothe us with his righteousness. (1 John 2:1-6, Gal 2:16, 3:10-11, Rom 3:20).
• Doing things with the wrong motive. E.g. the religious leaders would stand and pray in the synagogues to be seen and praised by others. Jesus calls this hypocrisy, for they did this not because they loved God but because they want the praises of man. (Matt 6:1-4, 16-18.)
• Placing man-made traditions and commandments over other believers that God has not required of them. (Acts 15:10-12)
Legalism is however, not to be confused with “strict obedience to God’s law”. Rather, legalism is against God’s law. Not obeying God’s commandments is always sin (1 John 2:3-6). When a person is saved, the Spirit changes his mind so that the law is now precious to him and he will desire to obey it (Jer 32:40; Isa 51:7; Eze 36:26-27). When a believer understands that legalism is sin and opposed to the law of God, he will conform his mind in accordance to the word of God and live accordingly (John 17:17).
The solution to legalism after a person has come to know the Lord is to be rooted in His word: To understand what Jesus has done for us on the cross and to live according to his word. (John 17:17)
Reference:
Manser, M. H. (1999). Zondervan Dictionary of Bible Themes. The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies. Grand Rapids, MI: ZondervanPublishingHouse.
Leave a Comment