Law versus Legalism.

In response to Matthew 5.17-20

Is it legalistic to abide by the rules of the road?  Is it legalistic to submit to the laws of our country?  Is it legalistic to follow a vow or creed with undying commitment and dedication?  Would we consider the binding nature of marriage to be a legalistic contract with an onerous list of dos and don’ts that we should not be expected to keep?  I think not.

In all of the above, we take on the rules and expectations of the arrangement, and follow.  We do not warn people around us to not take the guidelines set before us with a grain of salt, or with a level of freedom that confuses the rules.  And when we do so with something like marriage, the very thing falls apart on itself.  No, rules and regulations are quite necessary to keep the very thing we operate under.

So, true, is our walk with God.  It is not legalistic to follow his law, or at least try to.  It is not legalistic to allow it to set forth things that are beneficial and things we are to abstain from.  Why then today, do Christians the world over, warn against legalism?  Are they jumping the gun?  I would argue yes. 

You see, I believe before we can worry about legalism, we need to be so wrapped up and burdened by the law that it consumes us and makes relationship impossible.

Back to the analogy.  If within a marriage all we can think about and focus on are the things we are, and are not to do, the marriage will also fail.  The relationship will be overburdened with responsibility.  It is that point when legalism in our walk with the Lord is a problem.  Not before.  And the fear of being legalistic is certainly not an excuse for throwing out the law.