day no. 17,217: when the legalism is applied liberally

“While there is real legalism out there, we want to make sure that we don’t define a legalist as someone who loves Jesus more than we do.” — Douglas Wilson, Mere Christendom

Legalism exists, but not in the form of loving your neighbor lawfully from the heart. That is not te kind of thing that conspired to crucify Christ. Legalism is either inventing new rules for the sake of seeming neat and tidy or inventing new ways to apply old rules in order to keep your thumb on the scale. All that said, legalism is not merely someone who loves Jesus more than you do.

"Legalism is a word that is thrown around liberally." — K.P. Yohannan, Head Coverings

People who like to live liberally also like to apply the word "legalism" liberally. Because every Bible-believing, Bible-reading Christian wants to keep God's laws in earnest, but also wants to avoid becoming a Pharisee, it is easy for the licentiousness to make them feel anxious by accusing them of legalism.

“Application is not legalism. Obedience is not legalism. Legalism is inventing your own standard. But doing what God said to do the way that God said to do it is not legalism at all: ‘hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee.’” — Douglas Wilson, Keep Your Kids

Doing what God says is not being legalistic. That is being faithful.

Deuteronomy 4:2

Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.

Doing more than what God says is not necessarily wrong, but it is wrong to try to make others do more than what God has said or make them feel unfaithful for not doing the extras your conscience has compelled you to do.

"Legalism is not when someone loves God more than I do." — Douglas Wilson, Blog and Mablog

If you love God, obey Him and cheer for those who are further along than you. Learn from them and honor them. They are not legalists merely because they know and follow His laws better than you do. Loving the standard is not legalism. That is simple faith and obedience.