Legalism: Part 1

When the subject of Torah observance arises, the long shadow of Legalism looms large in the imagination. What is legalism?

Wikipedia describes it thus: "Legalism, in Christian theology, is a pejorative term referring to an over-emphasis on law or codes of conduct, or legal ideas, usually implying an allegation of misguided rigor, pride, superficiality, the neglect of mercy, and ignorance of the grace of God or emphasizing the letter of law over the spirit. Legalism is alleged against any view that obedience to law, not faith in God's grace, is the pre-eminent principle of redemption."

For many it has come to mean observing any set of rules without first being moved by the Holy Spirit. In practice it could mean that nothing should be done unless one feels like it. Merely reading and obeying becomes legalism.

What does Jesus mean in Matthew 7 when he says:

"(7:22) Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?'
(7:23) Then I will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' "?

Surely if people are prophecying, delivering people from demons and performing miracles in the name of Jesus then God's favour must be with them?

Actually, the bible warns against those who perform miracles and yet lead people to follow other Gods:

(13:1) If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a miraculous sign or wonder,
(13:2) and if the sign or wonder of which he has spoken takes place, and he says, "Let us follow other gods" (gods you have not known) "and let us worship them,"
(13:3) you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul.
(13:4) It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. (Deuteronomy 13.1-4)

How can one be guilty of leading people to worship other Gods? By portraying God as something he isn't and thereby causing people to follow a "false" God. Verse 4 gives a clue as to what it means to follow the one true God:

* Keep and obey His commands (i.e. the Torah);
* Serve God; and
* Hold fast to Him.

Is a God who does not require torah observance, fundamentally different from the one presented by bible? If the answer is yes, then does worshipping such a God constitute worshipping a false God? If yes, then could one be teaching idolatry by promoting such a God?

This is what Jesus says about obedience:

"Why do you call me, `Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? (Luke 6.46)
Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." (John 14.21)There is no mention of waiting for the Spirit to "move one" to obedience. Being aware of God's commands should be sufficient.