Why is legalism bad in religion?

Answer 1

Because legalism was way too harsh. Legalism is showing that nature of man was evil and the only way to have order in a society was to force people to obey the laws that where right.

Answer 2

A dictionary defines 'legalism' as a strict, literal or excessive conformity to the law or to a religion or moral code.

Yet today, an erroneous interpretation of legalism is that any form of biblical law-keeping (Sabbath keeping in particular and other OT or 'Jewish' laws) is legalism and therefore to be avoided.

This all began when the Pharisees (strict branch of Judaism) who dominated Jewish religious interpretations at the time of Christ, added many of their own humanly devised rules and regulations to GOD's Law, which had the effect of misrepresenting and misapplying them. This practice has been continued down through history in many of the Christian faiths.

Distorting the original purpose of God's Law renders them ineffective (Matthew 15:6), nullifying them in a sense. By following the Pharisees' interpretations and edicts (or any man's), the people were no longer following God's Law (John 7:19). This was why Jesus so strongly condemned the lack of understanding and hypocrisy of the religious leaders of His time. Christ taught a return to the correct teaching and practice of God's laws according to the original intent and purpose - expanding the meaning and spiritual intent of the law.

The Apostle Paul spent much time writing about this problem especially in the Books of Galatians and Romans. He particularly taught against the claim that justification (forgiving sin and restoring a sinner's state to righteousness) could be achieved by circumcision and strict observation of the law. Paul taught that no outward sign or the Law itself saves us as we are saved by Grace through faith in Jesus alone (Ephesians 2:8) and by the Spirit of God within the repentant sinner, doing the good works of the Spirit as God wills.

To obey God's biblical commands in a proper attitude (especially the Sabbath command for all), is not legalism. One must not allow and be knowledgeable enough so as not to be beguiled by those who hold this false notion, which in itself contradicts Jesus' own command (Matthew 5:19).

Another perspective:

"Legalism" is indeed a modern "religious term" created by men. The word is not in The Bible.

Among most "religious" types today who use this terminology... they spit the word out in contempt of others... claiming that these alleged "legalists" nullify God's Grace by their trying to "keep the Commandments of God."

In the real world, "legal" means "allowed under the law." It means: within the law, lawful, permissible, permitted, legitimate, aboveboard, rightful."

In the real world, being "legitimate" used to be a good thing. A person who is "legal" is someone who "obeys the law"... a person who doesn't fall under the penalty of the law. He's not a "criminal." He's respectful of others and their rights.

In the real world, a legal person is a respectable "law-abiding citizen."

In the modern religious world... those who use the word "legalism" leave the impression that they hate the Ten Commandments. They may not... but they can sure make the one they're calling a "legalist" feel like a dirty rotten "illegal" person in the eyes of the Lord.

They give the impression that if there is one thing that God hates more than anything else in this world... it's someone who tries to keep His Commandments.

The "spirit" of their accusation against the "legalist" leaves one believing that murderers, adulterers, liars and thieves [lawless people, disobedient to God, breakers of the Ten Commandments -- sinners] can all be forgiven their sins [the breaking of the Ten Commandments - I John 3:4], but not the "legalist".... unless he repents of it.

"Legalism" is bad among those who use the man-made term... because they seem to think that you can't believe in [have faith in] Jesus Christ... and still keep the Commandments of God... obey God... [which should be written in the heart and mind of a "Christian."

The Bible says this:

"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, AND THE FAITH OF JESUS." (Rev.14:12)

It seems that God feels differently in His inspired Word about His Commandments than those who accuse others of "legalism." From Genesis to Revelation... God has always "promoted" His laws among His people.

Within God's Ten Commandments is a provision for His "Mercy." In His Commandment on "idolatry"... He tells us that His Mercy belongs to those who "LOVE HIM" and "KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS" [Ex.20:6].

BOTH -- not one or the other.

Among certain modern religious types today... "legalism" [keeping God's Commandments] is a bad, bad thing, which they seem to imply Jesus just hates... and which will "condemn the alleged legalist to the fires of hell" if they don't stop it.

"Legalism" is only bad among those in some of the modern professing Christian denominations who have adopted the term - who hate God's Commandments.

God still demands that His Commandments be kept and be taught to others [Matt.5:19], in spite of what these people believe or say -- despite their accusations against others.

Obeying God's Commandments is "putting His Love into action!" It's Loving Him. It's Loving others: not murdering others, not stealing from others, not lying to others, not destroying family relationships through adultery. What better way to demonstrate one's love for others than not murdering them?

God still likes people who love other people -- and that's what keeping the Commandments is -- LOVING OTHERS.

For some reason, certain people [who accuse others of "legalism"] don't like putting their alleged "faith in Jesus Christ" into action [by keeping the Commandments]. And they are as deceived, here in Satan's world, as the next "religious" person. Only in a different way.

The word "legalism" isn't in the Bible. God still loves those who "LOVE HIM" and "KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS." He always has and always will. His bringing to Light the importance of "spiritual understanding" and "faith" does not nullify it by keeping His Commandments.

THE TWO WORK TOGETHER!

"though a man say he hath faith, and have not works... can faith save him? ...Even so faith, if it hath not works [keeping the Commandments; God's faith in action], IS DEAD, being alone." (James 2:14-17)

"Legalism" is bad among certain denominations of men's deceived religions... but God loves those who are obedient to His laws AND have faith. There is no law against keeping God's laws.

"Blessed are they that DO HIS COMMANDMENTS, that they may have right to the Tree of Life, and may enter in through the gates into the city [New Jerusalem]." (Rev.22:14)