Legalism

The word legalism has been defined as the "excessive adherence to law or formula."

In modern religion, it may refer to any doctrine which states salvation comes strictly from adherence to the law. It can be thought of as a works-based religion. Groups in the New Testament are said to be falling into this category because they believe they are saved by works or even mention works. Groups which include the Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes, Judaizers, and Nicolaitans are believed to advocate that you are saved by works.

The radical reactions from modern Christians at the mention of works or even keeping the commandments have taken an extreme position here what you do is looked on as irrelevant. It is only what you say you believe that has value in your quest for salvation. James is equally adamant that faith or the claim of "faith without works is dead".

The truth is simple if people are willing to hear and see it. There are no works you can do where God will owe you salvation. All salvation is by grace, that is to, say it is a gift. So, even though you cannot earn salvation, if there is real faith, there will be real faith. without works or keeping the commandments you have good reason to suspect you faith is fake or false faith.

"Today people call this legalism but in truth, it is a form of idolatry where people worship the doctrines of men which includes their private interpretation rather than the God of love and His righteousness. They seek a sense of self-righteousness through religious rituals, claims and practices that often have little to do with what Paul preached when he preached Christ first." from a forward to the study of Galatians.

A synonym associated with legalism is conformity in the sense of someone who presses strict conformity to the letter of the law rather than its spirit.

• "Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." 2 Corinthians 3:6

If you need help:

Or want to help others:

Join The Living Network of The Companies of Ten
The Living Network | Join Local group | About | Purpose | Guidelines | Network Removal
Contact Minister | Fractal Network | Audacity of Hope | Network Links

See also

Factions at the altar in orthodoxy and legalism. They often fulfilled the tasks of the

Sanhedrin ...not know Christ and His Gospel of the kingdom. Their love of legalism brought about a Sanhedrin that made laws, binding the people to the tradition When the Pharisees sat in the seat of the government their legalism imposed itself through statutes, often as heavy burdens, and tyrannical king....