Commandments? In the New Testament? Whenever people hear the word “commandments,” they immediately think of legalism. But the two expressions are by no means synonymous. No one spoke more about commandments than the Lord Jesus, and yet no one was less lawful than He was.

What is legalism? Although the word itself does not appear in the New Testament, it describes man’s constant striving to earn God’s favor. Its basic meaning describes the attempt to obtain justification or sanctification by keeping laws. That is the actual meaning of the word. But today, the word is used in a different and much broader sense, namely to describe what are considered to be rigid, moralistic rules. Any attempt to classify certain actions and behaviors as illicit is immediately labeled “legal.” Yes, by now, the word “legalism” is used as a handy cudgel to put down almost all restrictions and prohibitions that characterize a Christian attitude.

How, then, should a Christian go about avoiding the dangers associated with this new idea of “legalism”?

First of all, a Christian is indeed free from the law, but we have to add that he is not lawless. He is under the law of Christ. He should not act as he pleases but as Christ pleases.

Secondly, we must remember that the New Testament is full of commandments, including a considerable number of prohibitions. The difference is that these commandments are not given as law with an associated penalty but as instruction in righteousness for the people of God.

Furthermore, some things may be permitted for a Christian but are not useful. Or they are permitted, but take him captive (1 Corinthians 6:12).

A believer can have the freedom to do something and yet cause someone else to fall through his actions. In that case, he should rather refrain from doing it.

Just because someone calls a prohibition “lawful” does not make it bad. Today, the word “puritanical” is also used to condemn certain behaviors. Still, the lives of the Puritans were far more for the glory of Christ than those of many of their critics.

Many patterns of behavior were generally accepted as biblical and God-fearing. But today, Christians call them “legal” and belittle them. This is often a sign that these Christians themselves have become unstable and, torn from their moral moorings, are drifting with the flow so characteristic of our time. They are so naïve as to imagine that they are in a better position if they throw mud at the so-called “legalists” or “Puritans.”

Our safety lies in sticking as close as we can to the teachings of Scripture and not constantly experimenting with how close we can get to the edge of the abyss. We do not just want to avoid sinning, but rather want to glorify our Lord.