Legalism is:
1. Distorting the gospel by adding conditions to free grace: Acts 15:1, 7-11; Gal.1:6-7, 2:11-16, 4:8-11, Gal. 5:2-4; Col. 2:16-17.
2. Substituting man-made regulations for the Word of God: Matthew 15:1-3.
3. Majoring on the minors and neglecting the more important issues: Luke 11:42.
4. Over concern with the externals while disregarding matters of the heart: Matthew 23:27.
5. Regarding with contempt or judging a brother based on matters of personal conviction: Romans 14:1-5.
6. Trusting in ourselves that we are righteous based on religious performance: Luke 18:9-14.
7. Hypocrisy, the leaven of the Pharisees: Luke 11:53-12:1.
Legalism is not:
1. A zeal for the commandments of Christ: Matthew 5:19; 1 Corinthians 7:19.
2. A ministry that teaches others to follow Christ in obedience: Matthew 28:20; 1 Thes.4:1-2.
3. Strong personal convictions (as long as they are not required of others): Romans 14:2, 5.
4. Man-made restrictions for personal protection from sinful habits (as long as we do not begin to view them as binding on others): Romans 13:14; 1 Corinthians 6:12.
5. A zeal for good works: Eph.2:10; Titus 1:16, 2:7, 14, 3:8, 14.
6. Limiting our liberty for the benefit of others: Romans 14:15, 21, 15:2; Acts 16:1-3.
7. Obedience: John 14:15, 23, 15:10; 1 John 2:3-5, 5:2-4.
An Outline for Understanding Issues of Conscience and Legalism, Christian Communicators Worldwide, www.CCWtoday.org. Used by Permission.
Convictions of personal conscience are those areas where a strict absolute is not laid down for us in the Bible. [Yet] having such personal convictions does not mean you cannot make a biblical argument for your position.
An Outline for Understanding Issues of Conscience and Legalism, Christian Communicators Worldwide, www.CCWtoday.org. Used by Permission.
Biblical guidelines for evaluating the exercise of our personal convictions:
1. Does it Glorify God? Isaiah 43:7, 1 Corinthians 10:31, John 15:8.
2. Can it be done in the name of Jesus? Colossians 3:17.
3. Does it cause a weaker brother to stumble? Romans 14:15, 21, Matthew 18:6-9, 1 Corinthians 8:9-13.
4. Is it profitable for you? I Corinthians 6:12.
5. Does it involve wrong company which may lead you astray? 1 Corinthians 15:33, Psalm 1:1.
6. Does it have the appearance of evil or make provision for the flesh? 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, Romans 13:14.
7. Can it be done for the Lord? Colossians 3:23.
8. Do you have any doubts about it? Romans 14:23.
9. Would your parents understand this activity to be honoring to them? (How do you find out? ASK THEM!) Ephesians 6:2-3.
10. Is it something you would like to reap in the life of your children? Galatians 6:7-8.
11. Are you willing to face it in judgment? 2 Corinthians 5:10.
An Outline for Understanding Issues of Conscience and Legalism, Christian Communicators Worldwide, www.CCWtoday.org. Used by Permission.