Legalism is...

Legalism is:

1. Distorting the gospel by adding conditions to free grace: Acts 15:1, 7-11; Gal.1:6-7, 2:11-16, 4:8-11, Gal. 5:2-4; Col. 2:16-17.

2. Substituting man-made regulations for the Word of God: Matthew 15:1-3.

3. Majoring on the minors and neglecting the more important issues: Luke 11:42.

4. Over concern with the externals while disregarding matters of the heart: Matthew 23:27.

5. Regarding with contempt or judging a brother based on matters of personal conviction: Romans 14:1-5.

6. Trusting in ourselves that we are righteous based on religious performance: Luke 18:9-14.

7. Hypocrisy, the leaven of the Pharisees: Luke 11:53-12:1.


Legalism is not:


1. A zeal for the commandments of Christ: Matthew 5:19; 1 Corinthians 7:19.

2. A ministry that teaches others to follow Christ in obedience: Matthew 28:20; 1 Thes.4:1-2.

3. Strong personal convictions (as long as they are not required of others): Romans 14:2, 5.

4. Man-made restrictions for personal protection from sinful habits (as long as we do not begin to view them as binding on others): Romans 13:14; 1 Corinthians 6:12.

5. A zeal for good works: Eph.2:10; Titus 1:16, 2:7, 14, 3:8, 14.

6. Limiting our liberty for the benefit of others: Romans 14:15, 21, 15:2; Acts 16:1-3.

7. Obedience: John 14:15, 23, 15:10; 1 John 2:3-5, 5:2-4.