The term is used often. But what exactly is it according to Scripture?
We are lawful and law-abiding citizens of the commonwealth of Israel. We keep God's law and commandments by faith of salvation.
In 2 Cor 3, When Scripture says the 'letter kills', it was speaking of the law and of the Old Covenant itself, pertaining to that which was written upon stone tables.
These tables were called the ministry of condemnation and death and have been done away, and the new testament is the ministry of the Spirit and righteousness.
The weakness of the law was the flesh in that it could not justify anyone, only condemn that that transgressed. It could not minister faith and life, but only death and condemnation to them that did not obey.
It was called the law of carnal commandment (Heb 7:16), in that it only could command outward obedience, not inward faith, but the new covenant is made with the power of an endless life.
And so inward faith and Spirit of life is the power of God that begins salvation and outward obedience to His law and commandments.
Therefore, 'legalism' would be holding to the law outwardly only, without inward faith, seeking to be justified by the outward works of the law only.
Legalism is therefore without faith nor Spirit nor life, but only outward obedience. It is a hard and cold way to exist.
It's good to obey but far better to believe, love, and obey: O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. (Psalms 119)
And since legalism is keeping there works of the law with faith, then it will always end in failure of transgression; therefore, the true legalist is without mercy, neither for himself nor for others, and they are forever looking for transgression to condemn.
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage. (Gal 2)
But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. (Matthew 12)
Obeying the letter only brings certain condemnation and death: walking after the flesh.
Walking after the Spirit is life fulfilling the righteousness of God, with blessing in this life and forever.
We are lawful and law-abiding citizens of the commonwealth of Israel. We keep God's law and commandments by faith of salvation.
In 2 Cor 3, When Scripture says the 'letter kills', it was speaking of the law and of the Old Covenant itself, pertaining to that which was written upon stone tables.
These tables were called the ministry of condemnation and death and have been done away, and the new testament is the ministry of the Spirit and righteousness.
The weakness of the law was the flesh in that it could not justify anyone, only condemn that that transgressed. It could not minister faith and life, but only death and condemnation to them that did not obey.
It was called the law of carnal commandment (Heb 7:16), in that it only could command outward obedience, not inward faith, but the new covenant is made with the power of an endless life.
And so inward faith and Spirit of life is the power of God that begins salvation and outward obedience to His law and commandments.
Therefore, 'legalism' would be holding to the law outwardly only, without inward faith, seeking to be justified by the outward works of the law only.
Legalism is therefore without faith nor Spirit nor life, but only outward obedience. It is a hard and cold way to exist.
It's good to obey but far better to believe, love, and obey: O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. (Psalms 119)
And since legalism is keeping there works of the law with faith, then it will always end in failure of transgression; therefore, the true legalist is without mercy, neither for himself nor for others, and they are forever looking for transgression to condemn.
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage. (Gal 2)
But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. (Matthew 12)
Obeying the letter only brings certain condemnation and death: walking after the flesh.
Walking after the Spirit is life fulfilling the righteousness of God, with blessing in this life and forever.