The Christians have very negative feelings about the term legalism.
So what is legalism? in a nutshell legalism is the act of trying to earn salvation by keeping the law. So basically legalism is trying to get into the kingdom and you try to keep the law.
So here is the question, then does God condemn wanting to enter the kingdom? So if you want to enter the kingdom God doesn’t like that? Also, trying to keep God’s law, is that a bad thing? So does God condemn anyone who tries to keep God’s Commandments and live according to the word of Jesus and does God condemn such things? But what I’d like to tell you is, that’s the very thing God wants you to do.
So this is Mark chapter 10 verse 15. “assuredly I say to you whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it”
So children are very simple. So they want to have what they want and if there is a good place then they want to go there. So here, Jesus is saying if you don’t desire the kingdom like a little child then you can’t enter the kingdom. So instead of condemning that desire to enter the kingdom Jesus is saying that’s a requirement of entering the Kingdom. So you have to desire Kingdom like a child.
And also it says here John Chapter 14 verse 15. “if you love me keep my commandments”
So Jesus is saying, if you’re trying to keep my Commandments that means you love me.
So does God condemn legalism, like trying to and strive to live according to Jesus’s Commandments to enter the kingdom? Does God condemn it? No actually that’s the very thing God wants you to do.
So these days the Christians are very confused and they think legalism is a very bad thing to do but what I’d like to tell you is the opposite is a lot more dangerous.
So the opposite of legalism is liberalism so in the Bible the Apostle Paul said we are liberated from the laws of sin through the faith in Jesus. So whoever believes Jesus and they are in Christ then there is no condemnation. What that means is no matter how you commit sin in your life, as long as you believe Jesus you won’t be condemned. Like, can you imagine how dangerous that could be?
So I’ve seen, like, all kinds of Christians in my life. Like, they believe Jesus but they fight, they swear, and they look down on other people. It’s all because they think that they are free from the requirement of keeping the law so they keep breaking the law.
So which one do you think is better, the liberalism or legalism? Actually the legalism sounds very bad but the legalism is the very thing God wants you to do – try to live according to Jesus’s word to enter the kingdom. That’s what you should be doing.
Then why Jesus condemned Pharisees?
So if I say that, some people might question then why Jesus condemned Pharisees?
So when Jesus condemned Pharisees and said when Pharisees pray they say ‘unlike the whores or the tax collectors I I do my tithe and I keep all God’s Commandments. But the real reason why Jesus condemned the Pharisees is because the Pharisees were arrogant. So they were full of themselves so they thought they were holy and they were very arrogant. So Jesus said those who come very humble to God say “um I have sinned please forgive me”, then Jesus said those who pray like that will be justified but not the Pharisees who boast about their holiness. Because even if you try to keep the law and be holy but you you have to stay humble. So even if somebody is born again there is no one who is perfect like God who sins not even once in their lives like God. So there’s nobody like that. So even if somebody is born again and holy but sometimes they can make a mistake and sin. So even true Born Again Christians have to stay humble and try to seek God’s forgiveness. So if you are arrogant then um doesn’t matter you keep all other laws then you’re still breaking a law because God will reject anybody who is arrogant. So that’s why Jesus condemned the Pharisee.
Also Jesus condemned Pharisees because outwardly they were holy but inwardly they were corrupt so they were like a tomb. Outwardly they looked beautiful but inside there was all kinds of things that were corrupt. That’s why Jesus condemned Pharisees, not because they tried to keep the law.
So to wrap it up, I like to tell you, to enter the kingdom you have to be a law-abiding citizen and the law breakers can never enter the Kingdom. So you have to strive to keep the law of Jesus and leave according to Jesus’s words and if it’s to enter God’s kingdom, it’s still okay. God wants you to love and hope for his kingdom. So that’s what you have to strive to do.
So this is Matthew chapter 7 verse 23 “and then I will declare to them I never knew you depart from me you who practice lawlessness”
So those who enjoy false liberty under the faith in Jesus, they will be condemned in the end and Jesus will say to them depart from me, you law Breakers. I wish you blessings from the Lord.
