Search The Scriptures: July 8, 2001
OBEDIENCE AND LEGALISM
INTRODUCTION:
A. Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Search the Scriptures program, I am
J.R. Bronger and on behalf of the Danville church of Christ I’m delighted you have joined us
for today’s bible study program. Search the Scriptures, as you know, is one of many ways the
Danville church of Christ is endeavoring to make known the gospel of Christ in this
community. Let me briefly tell you about some other things we have planned in the near future.
The Danville church of Christ will have a booth at the Hendricks County Fair beginning July
22. We hope you will stop by and see us and take advantage of the many bible tracts we will be
distributing. Also, you may wish to test your knowledge of the bible on our bible quiz
computers. These will be both informative and fun. Also, the week immediately following the
fair the Danville church of Christ will be conducting a Vacation Bible School. This VBS will
be conducted from July 30 through August 3 at 7:00 nightly. Believe me, our Vacation Bible
School will not just be for children, although we will have classes available ranging from oneyear
through senior high school - but we also will have classes for adults. We have invited some
excellent gospel preachers in our area to be with us to lead our adult studies. So, I trust that you
and your family will plan on being with us July 30 through August 3 at 7:00 P.M.. And, the
week before that we hope you will drop by our fair booth and say hello.
B. And, like I try to remind you each week, if you hear a sermon or a topic discussed on Search
the Scriptures you would like to have, either on cassette tape or CD we will be happy to give it
to you absolutely free of charge. There will not even be any postage for you to pay. Just write to
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us or call us and let us know which sermon you would like. The only thing we ask is that you
place your order by the date the program aired. And I make you this promise, if you request a
tape or CD, we will not use the occasion to send you any unsolicited material nor will anyone
call on you without your specific invitation. Also, if you have any questions or comments, or if
you would just like to browse our web site, you can do so at www.danvillechurchofchrist.org.
C. Today, as we begin our study let’s read together Heb. 5: 8-9. Though he [That is, though
Christ Jesus] was a Son, yet he learned obedience by the things which he suffered. And having
been perfected, he became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey him. Any honest man
or woman who read these two verses will immediately recognize the absolute necessity of
obedience on the part of those who hope to obtain eternal salvation. Without obedience to the
words of Christ, which are found written in the bible - man has no hope of salvation. Obedience
to the words of Christ in the New Testament is mandatory if one is to have any hope of being
saved. Also, this is the meaning of the words of Paul in Rom. 6:17 when he wrote but God be
thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine
to which you were delivered. My friends, please regard carefully these words, because they tell us
when believers are set free from the consequences of sin. This verse says believers are set free
from the consequences of sin when they have obeyed from the heart the delivered doctrine of
God! Today, however, the notion of required obedience before one can be saved is revolting to
many people. Some people simply cannot fathom the idea that God demands obedience before he
freely dispenses his saving grace. As a matter of fact there are many Protestant preachers who
have reduced God to some cuddly - fuzzy Teddy bear. And just as a favorite Teddy bear makes no
demands, these people believe God has made no demands upon anyone. Today people believe
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God has given no rules, and that he makes no laws. To them - God’s word is a free-flowing
stream containing only suggestions and information. To them the bible holds no directives to be
obeyed and no commands to be followed. And, so adamant are they in this misguided belief - that
they have created a word to describe those who are asserting that God does expect strict
obedience. This word is legalist or legalism. Perhaps you have heard one or both these words
used. Today those trying to get away from the need to follow the word of God as it is written say
anyone who proposes that before God will extend mercy he demands obedience is a legalist.
They say the people who preach and teach the necessity of obedience are preaching a doctrine of
legalism. It makes little difference that these people have no idea what the words’ legalist and
legalism mean. But, because they have no scriptural justification for their doctrine of
disobedience they resort to labeling and name-calling. My friends, as an aside here let me say to
you, the best way to identify when someone’s religious doctrine is bankrupt is to notice - they
will usually resort to name calling and labeling. Whenever one does not have a scriptural leg to
stand on - he begins to call those with whom he differs - names. Often hoping these names will
prejudice others - thus preventing further bible study. Religiously, no one wants to be stigmatized
a legalist, because who wants to engage in honest bible study with a narrow-minded extremely
petty legalist (whatever that is). We can see the success of name-calling in politics. If a political
candidate can successfully stigmatize an opponent as a racist or a sexist or a socialist this will
turn-off many, who might otherwise listen. In this way, if preachers can successfully demonize
those who accept the biblical teaching of obedience - then many will turn away and not listen to
honest dialogue. Webster’s dictionary defines legalism as “strict, literal, or excessive conformity
to the law or to religious or moral law.” This definition, however, only serves to cloud the
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matter, because strict or literal or excessive depends upon where one happens to stand
religiously. To the atheist any casual belief in God is excessive. To those accepting only a
transcendental concept of God, a Jew would be considered strict. To the Jew, a Lutheran would
be deemed literal. To the Lutheran those in the Baptist Church would be excessive. To a Baptist
someone in the Christian Church is viewed as too strict, and so on. Therefore, just randomly
tossing out this label of legalist serves no useful purpose. By using Webster’s definition, the case
could be made that Jesus was a legalist. After all, he said in Jn. 5:30 I can of myself do nothing.
As I hear, I judge; and my judgment is righteous, because I do not seek my own will but the
will of the Father who sent me. That is, Jesus is saying he lived his brief life upon the earth
obeying the will of his father in heaven. Then again he said in Jn. 6:38 for I have come down
from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. Here again we read how he
refused to serve his own interests. He was absolutely committed to obeying the will of his
heavenly Father. Looking at one more verse, we see that near the end of his earthly life, Jesus - in
prayer - to the father said in, Jn. 17:4 I have glorified you on the earth. I have finished the work
which you have given me to do. This passage tells us that Jesus never once digressed from his
stated objective, and that was uncompromising obedience to the will of God. Using the world’s
definition of legalist, Would not Jesus have been a legalist? After all, he was strict in his
obedience. How absurd even to suggest that Jesus was excessive in his obedience to the father!
But such is the conclusion one must reach - if one insists that obedience to the word of God - the
bible - translates into legalism. Ladies and gentlemen, the obedience of Christ is to be the basis
upon which our obedience to God is measured. Again note what is said in Heb. 5:8-9 though he
was a Son, yet he learned obedience by the things which he suffered. And having been
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perfected, he became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey him. Let us, for the sake of
honest study, dismiss any use of labels and ask Does God have a law that he expects Christians
to obey today? If he does, then we must wholly and fully comply with the details of that law.
Also, if there is such a law, then obedience to it, is to be celebrated and not scorned. That is,
obedience is to be praised instead of viewed with contempt. Remember we are expected to
emulate Christ in all matters. Peter wrote in 1 Pet. 2:21 for to this you were called, because
Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps.
I. Are we under any law today? If we are, then we are expected, by God, to keep that Law. If
there is a law under which Christians are living, then keeping it is not a matter of indifference, it
becomes a necessity. If there is a law from God intended for Christians, then meeting the
requirements of that law becomes imperative before one can profit from the blood of Christ, the
author of eternal salvation. If - on the other hand - there is no law, then no obedience can be
expected, because Paul said in Rom. 4:15 for where there is no law there is no transgression.
For example, the bible tells us in Gal. 4:4 but when the fullness of the time had come, God sent
forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law. Jesus was born under and he lived under
the Law of God that had been given to Moses. Therefore, Jesus was expected from his childhood
to keep that Law; he was required to obey the Law of Moses under which he lived. If he did not,
then he would have been a lawbreaker, he would have been a lawless man, a transgressor of the
Law. John says in 1 Jn. 3:4 whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is
lawlessness. Yet, my friends, no one in his right mind would possibly conclude Jesus
transgressed the law of God - that would have made him a sinner. This is something the bible
denies, Jesus lived and died sinlessly according to Heb. 4:15. And, in this way, ladies and
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gentlemen, if we are under any law today, then God demands that it be obeyed. Many conclude,
however, that unlike Christ, we are under no law today. It is true that we are not under the law of
Moses. In the early days of the church some misguided brethren incorrectly concluded that
Christians were commanded to keep the law that had been given by Moses. This question was
discussed in Jerusalem by the apostles and the elders in Acts 15. But note verse 5 some of the
sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, It is necessary to circumcise them, and to
command them to keep the law of Moses. However Peter revealed to this group in verses 9-11
that God, made no distinction between us [That is, the Jews] and them [The Gentiles], purifying
their hearts by faith. Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the
disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the
grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they. The reason neither
Jew nor Gentile could be saved by the keeping of the Law of Moses is explained by Paul in Rom.
8:3 when he said, for what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did
by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in
the flesh. Therefore, the Law of Moses was a temporary Law, given until Christ came into the
world and condemned sin in the flesh. Sin was condemned when Jesus died upon the cross, at that
time the Law of Moses was taken away. The bible says in Col. 2:14 that God wiped out the
handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And he has taken it
out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. In anticipation of this removal of the Law of Moses,
Jesus said in Matt. 5:17-18 do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did
not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away,
one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. When did Jesus say
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the law would pass away (or be taken out of the way)? He said when it was fulfilled! And then,
after his death, Jesus reminded his disciples that the Law had, indeed, been fulfilled, and thus
removed. In Lk. 24:44 Jesus said these are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with
you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets
and the Psalms concerning me. But, now, having made the case that Christians are not under the
Law of Moses, we must not, however, conclude that to mean believers today are under no law at
all. If one decides that since believers are not under the law of Moses that believers are under NO
law whatsoever, then nothing [and I do mean nothing] can be considered right nor can anything
be judged wrong. This is because, as we observed a few minutes ago, there can be no
transgression unless there is a law to transgress. The New Testament is abundantly clear that there
is a law under which Christians are living. Let’s observe some of the overwhelming scriptural
evidence illustrating that believers are under law today, not the law of Moses, but under law still.
First, let’s consider what is said Heb. 8:8-10. Because finding fault with them, he says: Behold,
the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel
and with the house of Judah - not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in
the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did
not continue in my covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord. For this is the covenant
that I will make with the house of Israel: After those days, says the Lord, I will put my laws in
their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
This is a quotation from the 31st. chapter of Jeremiah and references the new covenant of grace
under Christ. Notice, however, that God says there would be a law under this covenant, not the
law of Moses, but the Law of Christ. In writing about his efforts to convert the lost Paul says in 1
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Cor. 9:19-21 for though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I
might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who
are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who
are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward
Christ), that I might win those who are without law. Here Paul writes that he lives and works
under law toward Christ. There is the law of Christ under which Christians live. This law is
mentioned by the apostle again when he said in Rom. 8:2 for the law of the Spirit of life in
Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. The law of Christ under which
Christians are living is here said to be the law of the Spirit of life in Christ. It is the law of the
Spirit of life, because it was revealed by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has revealed the
message of salvation in Christ to a lost world. This message of salvation is commonly known as
the gospel. Paul wrote in Rom. 1:16 for I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the
power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
However, what many people do not seem to understand today is, while the gospel reveals the
good news of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus - it also contains laws to be obeyed. The apostle writes
in 2 Thess. 1:7-9 you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from
heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know
God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be
punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his
power. Contrary to the conclusion of some, the gospel is not only to be believed - it is to be
obeyed. The gospel is the law given by God that would be written upon the hearts of believers.
Also, that gospel is the law of Christ to be obeyed. Furthermore, this gospel is the liberating law
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mentioned by James. He writes in Jas. 1:21-24 therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of
wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer
of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he
observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. [My friends, let
me emphasize that by receiving and obeying this word, it will save the soul of the lost. This word,
elsewhere called the gospel, is next identified by James in verse 25. He says] but he who looks
into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the
work, this one will be blessed in what he does. This almost seems like a paradox, whenever we
think of law - we tend to think of bondage, yet James reminds us that the law of Christ, everyone
is expected to obey, does not enslave, instead it liberates. That is, it sets free those held captive to
sin. There can be no refutation of these verses; Christians do live under law today. Christians live
under the law of Christ. This law given by God was intended to be written upon the hearts and
minds of believers. It was revealed by the Holy Spirit, and it is a liberating law. And, this law -
more to the point - is a law God expects to be obeyed. Frankly, I am going to acknowledge right
about here - that this idea of obeying precisely what God says is something that sticks in the craw
of many so-called free thinkers. That is, those who wish to believe anything, and do anything
without being censured by anyone - including God have a fit over this notion of obedience to law.
Yet according to the bible Christians are expected to obey the law of Christ.
II. Is that legalism? NO! It is obedience! It is doing no more than our Lord did, and it is doing
what God demands. Let’s get to the heart of the matter. Does this obedience somehow negate the
saving grace of God? That is, Does our obedience to the law of Christ mean that we somehow are
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earning our salvation? This is asked, because those who accuse believers of being legalists really
have this in mind. They are saying that any attempt to obey law cancels any grace, and makes
salvation earned. My friends, to make law and grace mutually exclusive (which is exactly what
some are trying to do) reduces God and his Word to a mere absurdity. This means that wherever
there is law, there can be no mercy. Well, let’s put that theory to a scriptural test. In Gen. 19,
which is the chapter where God destroyed the wicked city of Sodom, he sent angels to rescue
Abraham’s nephew Lot and his family. That was mercy! Nevertheless, God made certain
requirements upon Lot and his family before they could benefit from his mercy. The requirements
included leaving the city, going into the mountains, and not looking back. Now, according to
some today these requirements would eliminate any manifestation of grace. Note, however, Gen.
19:16 says and while he lingered, the men [the angels sent to rescue Lot] took hold of his hand,
his wife's hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the Lord being merciful to him, and they
brought him out and set him outside the city. Don’t you see, my friends, obedience to God’s
commands does not remove his grace? It never has and it never will. Law and mercy go hand-inhand.
Also, look at what is said by the apostle Paul in Titus 2:11-12. For the grace of God that
brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly
lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age. These verses make it
unmistakable that instead of eliminating obedience - Grace demands obedience. The saving grace
of God - in this text - teaches there is a certain behavior that is expected before mercy is extended.
One is saved by the grace of God, only after he denies ungodliness and worldly lusts (this is
obedience). One is saved by the grace of God only after he lives soberly, righteously and godly
(this too is obedience). It is a dangerous precedent to conclude that obedience to the laws of God
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constitutes legalism, and negates grace. This leads one to reduce the bible to a book of relative
suggestions, and makes obedience a matter of personal opinion and preference. It means that we
must rewrite 1 Jn. 1:7 to read “But if we walk in the light as we prefer to see that light, we have
fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin.” The
verse actually says, but if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one
another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin. And, my friends, having
nothing to obey strips God’s book of any absolutes - and all its authority. It reduces The 10
Commandments - to The 10 Suggestions, and it robs Christ of his kingly rule. Remember it was
Christ who said in Matt. 28:18 all authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.
Authority involves the right to command, and authority involves the right to expect obedience
from those commanded. Jesus says he has all authority - he has the right to command, and he also
expects out-and-out obedience. Whenever someone says that believers have no laws to obey they
plunder the authority of Christ. Now, I ask you, where will such disregard for the authority of
Heaven end? In truth, ladies and gentlemen, there would be no end. It would mean the bible
could be thrown out and men could do whatever they wished. It would mean that men could
devise and design their own churches, and worship gods of their own creation. And ladies and
gentlemen, now that we think about it - isn’t this exactly what is being done in modern
denominationalism?
CONCLUSION:
A. It takes an extremely arrogant man or woman to challenge God’s laws because those laws
happen to get in the way of his or her self-willed life styles. Remember, my friend, we are under
the law of Christ and God expects us to obey him in all things. Heb. 5:8-9 are still in my bible
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and they still are in yours. Though he was a Son, yet he learned obedience by the things which
he suffered. And having been perfected, he became the author of eternal salvation to all who
obey him.
B. With that, our time is gone for today. Please stay tuned for some important closing
announcements. And be sure to join us next Sunday morning at 7:00 as we again Search the
Scriptures. So, until then, for the Danville church of Christ this is J.R. Bronger saying
goodbye for now.