Am I legalistic if I keep God’s commandments?

Keeping God’s commandments is central to the Christian faith, yet there is a common misconception that it leads to legalism. Legalism often refers to an excessive reliance on rules and rituals, focusing on outward behavior to gain favor with God, rather than emphasizing a heart relationship with Him. However, in Scripture, God’s commandments are meant to be kept not merely through external actions but as a reflection of a transformed heart. Jesus Himself affirmed the importance of obedience, but He also emphasized that true obedience comes from within, not just outward adherence to rules.

In this article, we will explore whether keeping God’s commandments is legalistic, considering the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 5 and other relevant scriptures. By understanding the difference between legalism and genuine obedience, we can gain a deeper appreciation for how God desires us to live in accordance with His will.

Understanding Legalism and Obedience

Before diving into the specifics of Matthew 5, it is important to define what legalism is. Legalism refers to the belief that one can earn or maintain salvation by following a strict set of rules and regulations. It often leads to a focus on outward behavior while neglecting the heart’s intent. The legalist mindset is concerned with external acts of righteousness, believing that perfection in these areas will somehow make them right with God.

However, legalism misses the deeper purpose of God’s commandments, which is not to create a checklist of do’s and don’ts, but to align the believer’s heart with God’s will. True obedience comes from the heart, motivated by love for God and a desire to honor Him in every aspect of life. Jesus addressed this issue in several parts of the New Testament, emphasizing that God is more concerned with the state of the heart than with external obedience to His law.

In Matthew 5, Jesus presents a clear contrast between the outward legalism of the Pharisees and the inward transformation and the keeping of His commands that should mark the life of a true disciple. He reveals that obedience to God’s commandments is not about external actions alone but about the inner workings of the heart.

The Heart of Obedience: Jesus’ Teachings in Matthew 5

Matthew 5 is part of the famous Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus expounds on what it means to truly follow God. He addresses various aspects of the law, including anger, lust, divorce, oaths, and retaliation, showing that the true intent of God’s commandments is to govern not only external behavior but also the inner thoughts and attitudes.

The Law and the Heart

In Matthew 5:17-19, Jesus clarifies that He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. He affirms the validity of God’s commandments but goes further to explain that the law was meant to point to a deeper righteousness than the external obedience practiced by the Pharisees.

“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” (Matthew 5:17-18, NKJV).

Jesus’ fulfillment of the law means that He obeyed the requirements of the Ten Commandments. He also elevated the standards of righteousness by revealing that true obedience requires a heart transformation. This transformation involves going beyond external actions to address the underlying motives and thoughts.

Anger and Murder: The Heart of the Issue

One of the first examples Jesus provides is the commandment against murder. The Pharisees interpreted the commandment as prohibiting the physical act of murder, but Jesus goes deeper, showing that even harboring anger in the heart is a form of breaking this commandment.

“You have heard that it was said of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment” (Matthew 5:21-22, NKJV).

Jesus emphasizes that the root of murder is anger, and therefore, the commandment against murder must be understood as a command to guard the heart against anger and hatred. Jesus teaches that true obedience is not just about refraining from the act of murder but about having a heart that is free from destructive emotions toward others.

Lust and Adultery: The Heart’s Purity

Another example Jesus gives is the commandment against adultery. He teaches that the commandment is not only concerned with the external act of adultery but also with the purity of the heart and mind.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28, NKJV).

Jesus emphasizes that sin begins in the heart, and true obedience requires not only outward purity but also purity of thought. Lust, as Jesus points out, is a sin of the heart, and it is just as much a violation of God’s commandments as the outward act of adultery. Therefore, obeying God’s commandments involves aligning our hearts with His will and pursuing purity in every aspect of our lives, not just our outward actions.

The Law of Love: Internal Obedience

Throughout the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus points to a deeper, heart-driven obedience that transcends the external observance of the law. He teaches that the fulfillment of the law is not merely a matter of outward compliance but of loving God and loving others from the heart.

In Matthew 5:43-44, Jesus challenges His followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them, an act of obedience that goes far beyond the external command to love one’s neighbor.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-44, NKJV).

This teaching underscores the difference between legalistic obedience, which may be focused on rules and rituals, and genuine, heart-driven obedience, which flows from love for others as a reflection of God’s love for us.

Jesus’ Example of Perfect Obedience

Jesus’ life provides the ultimate example of perfect obedience. He obeyed God’s commandments completely, not out of a sense of legalistic duty but out of love for the Father and a desire to fulfill God’s will. Jesus’ obedience was not external or superficial but internal and wholehearted.

In John 14:15, Jesus says, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (NKJV). Here, Jesus connects love and obedience, showing that keeping His commandments is a natural expression of our love for Him. When obedience comes from a heart of love, it is not legalism; rather, it is the genuine response of a believer who is transformed by God’s grace.

The Role of the Holy Spirit in Obedience

The key to keeping God’s commandments without falling into legalism lies in the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live according to God’s will, enabling them to fulfill the law not through their own strength but through the transformation that comes from within.

Romans 8:3-4 explains how the Holy Spirit enables believers to live in obedience to God’s law: “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, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit” (NKJV).

The Holy Spirit helps believers not only to obey outwardly but also to cultivate a heart of love and devotion to God. As believers are led by the Spirit, they fulfill the righteous requirements of the law, not through their own efforts but through God’s grace working in them.

Conclusion: Legalism vs. Genuine Obedience

In conclusion, keeping God’s commandments is not inherently legalistic. Legalism arises when obedience is motivated by a desire to earn salvation or favor with God through rule-keeping. True obedience, however, comes from a heart transformed by God’s love and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 5 reveal that God’s commandments are meant to govern not only our actions but also our hearts and attitudes. When we keep God’s commandments with a heart of love and devotion, it is not legalism but a reflection of the righteousness that comes from God alone.