Freedom in Christ vs. Legalism

Over the past few weeks, I have read multiple blog posts, comments, and even magazine articles that bring up the question of living a legalistic lifestyle, or living under the covering of God's grace, in Liberty and Freedom.  This has caused much pondering for me, so I want to write about it ... process it with you ... and see what you all think ...

My ponderings began with the following blog posts.  I am not here to debate the specific topics of these posts, but rather to look at the responses that were given to the posts.


First, Bridget wrote THIS POST about Halloween.  Have you met Bridget yet?  She is a young homeschooling mom who is about to embark on the Adventure of a Lifetime.  Some of what she said was ...

"I just don't like this holiday, and feel kind of convicted in letting my kids be a part of it.  As Christians are we compromising?  Are we doing the things of this world?


I guess it's a personal decision and it's up to us as parents and our own heart convictions.  As a Christian do you celebrate Halloween?  I'd love to hear your take on it."

When I read this, I saw a young mom who was really searching for answers, and was wanting to hear what other Believers felt about Halloween.  She started a good discussion, with many varied opinions.  While there were many comments that agreed with her, I'd like to first look at a few of the comment that did not agree.

"I went trick or treating when I was a kid ... and I think I turned out okay."

Personally, I do not think that that reasoning should be the basis for how we make life decisions.  Just because we "turned out okay" doesn't mean that the Lord might not have something even better for our own children.

"We do let our children trick or treat ... As for Biblical support about how we made our decision, mainly Romans 14 in which Paul is explaining about Christian liberty.  We usually feel like it's the more liberal Christians that are weak, but that's not what he says.  The weaker Christian is the one bound by a law that is not God's.  In the case of Romans 14, eating meat that is "unclean".  Whereas Paul says in v. 14 "there is nothing unclean of itself".  In other words, as Christians we know God is Sovereign, Lord and Master of the Universe.  We know that Satan and demons are confined to the limits of God's will.  We know that there is no power in the dressing up in costumes just as there is no power in idols or the eating of meat sacrificed to idols. ... We allow them to dress up and trick-or-treat, because we're free to do so and we believe we do it in a way that does not dishonor God in any way.


"All things are legal, but not all things are profitable."  1 Cor. 10:23  And remember that while man looks on the outer appearance, God looks on the heart.  Our heart's desire is to honor God in all we do.  ...  Remember, if it's not prohibited by Scripture, we have freedom to make our own decision about it.  Also, we are not supposed to judge another Christian on how he chooses to celebrate or not celebrate Halloween because he is God's servant and to his own master he stands or falls. (Romans 14:4).

"Sometimes, we as Christians get so caught up in these things that we forget Colossians 2 where Paul says not to get caught up in legalism.  Specifically verse 16 and 17 say, "Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however is found in Christ."  In other words let us not say that we are more holy or more right for not celebrating Halloween.  We are free in Christ and do not need to add our own rules to the Bible and say that we are more holy for doing so. ...  We need to be careful as Christians not to become legalistic, make up our own rules, and attribute them to God."

"My 7 year old is going to be a witch this year.  Black pointy hat and all.  She has no idea what a real life pagan witch does ... and really, I've never encountered one myself ...We really do have freedom and liberty in Christ."

Now, for her very last comment, someone who decided to take on the topic of legalism ...

"The one problem I do have with some of the comments are peoples' shouts of LEGALISM, just because they celebrate it and are assuming you are calling them bad Christians, which you were not.  We must remember that in almost every promise of freedom, there is an underlying responsibility.  We must be responsible Christians.  We are free, but we are not.  We are free from sin and condemnation, but we are not free from Christ.  Christ has some mighty strong words to say about things, and we are his "slaves", his "servants".  We fall under His headship.  We must, in our freedom, not forget that.  Most people who are accused of being "legalistic" are just people who are truly desiring to follow our Lord and Savior with our lives."


A week later, I read THIS POST by Bianca ... about Is Drinking A Sin?  Have you ever visited Bianca's blog?  She is a young, single woman who is passionate about loving and serving the Lord.  I LOVE her style and so appreciate that she is willing to tackle the tough stuff on her blog.  Here is just a peek into Bianca's thoughts on this.  I hope you'll pop over to her blog to listen to her 3 minute video, and to read more about the Biblical research she has done on this topic.

"Some Christians think of alcohol as up there with adultery, idol worship, and South Park.  I met a fundamentalist who argued that the "wine" drunk in the Bible is not wine at all, but actually grape juice.  I simply asked for a scripture reference which bans alcohol.  He couldn't provide one.  I wasn't lobbying for the alcohol industry; I was simply advocating for a balance of scripture."

She went on to ask ...

"So, what do you think?  How can we have our liberties, yet be mindful of our weaker brothers?  Comments, suggestions, stones to throw?"

And ... a look at some of her 43 comments ...

"Paul talks about becoming all things to all people to win more for Christ, and I believe having the freedom in Christ to enjoy a drink occasionally falls under this Scripture (1 Corinthians 9:22)."


"In general, being legalistic and making rules for people (rules based, more often than not, on our own personal likes and dislikes) bothers me more than giving people grace where there is no clear indicator that sin took place."

"We are given choices.  We do have freedoms and what we do with those freedoms is between us and God."

Now, I'm not saying that I disagree with every part of every comment.  I just wanted to give some examples of the "Freedom" side of things.

Then ... I read an article in World magazine.  Andree Seu wrote, "Control That Tongue" for the October 10, 2009 issue.  I'd like to share some of Andree's thoughts, now ...

"Brothers, can we talk about legalism?  I wrote a blog sharing that God is teaching me to be careful with my mouth, and that there are no such things as inconsequential words.  Then I was knocked off kilter with a thread of comments charging legalism.  Unless we settle this question right away, I'm afraid we won't get anywhere.


Yes, we rest in the grace of Christ.  And it is a costly grace, and costly discipleship does it require.  It is a grace secured at a great price, and it asks in return, for all we have.  It is a grace to relax in as regards our secure eternal destination, but a grace to strive in as regards our efforts to live for Him:  "Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue"  (2 Peter 1:5).  It is a grace with plenteous forgiveness when we sin, but it does not logically follow from this that it is an iota less serious to sin. ...


Sure, we should always be careful of creeping legalism.  The Apostle Paul was the first to say so ... and also the first to command, "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths"  (Ephesians 4:29).  In the same letter famous for his anti-legalist preaching, Paul gives counsel like "Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap" (Galatians 6:7)  ...


Or has the doctrine of the sovereignty of God swallowed up human responsibility? ...


If exhortation to godly speech is rebuffed as incipient legalism, then all preaching is impossible.  Then your pastors are all legalists when they instruct you to any change of attitude or behavior.  If the charge of legalism is the knee-jerk response to all advice, it puts a chill on everyone who has a word from the Lord for the building up of the saints - though Paul spent all of 1 Corinthians 14 urging such mutual edifications. ...


Must I refrain from testifying lest it be construed as legalism? ...



So ... what do you think?  How do we find the balance between Freedom in Christ and Legalism?

Where do you fit?  How do others see you?  Do you find yourself more on the "Freedom in Christ" side of things, or do you tend towards the "Legalistic"?  I'd love to hear your thoughts ...

I hope you'll pop on over to Bridget's and Bianca's blog posts, too.  There, in the comments section, you will find some of my thoughts ...