Legalism

[Alabaster]

Legalism is the notion that a sinner can, by his own efforts, or by the power of the Holy Spirit in his life, do some work to obtain or retain his salvation. Some legalists think man has free will and can perform good works if he just sets his mind to it, thereby obtaining the favor of God. This type of legalist thinks that a sinner can believe the Gospel on his own steam. Other legalists think that a sinner does not have free will, that any good he does is done by the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him, and it is these good deeds done by the power of the Holy Spirit that obtain or help obtain, retain or help retain, his salvation.

Both types of legalists, but especially the latter, may acknowledge that Christ's work of obedience is necessary for salvation, but both deny that Christ's work is sufficient for salvation. Both types of legalists assert that to Christ's work must be added the works of the sinner, done either under his own steam, or by the power of the Holy Spirit. That is what makes them legalists: their shared belief in the incompleteness or insufficiency of the work of Christ outside of them. They may differ on what constitutes good works; they may differ on whether only God's law or church law as well is to be obeyed; but they agree that the work of Christ alone is insufficient for their final salvation.


Source:
Legalism


It appears that we have a few members who fit the bill of legalist. Comments?

 

[Sparkey]

It's better to leave that up to Jesus. For example, was James a legalist by the above definition?

- For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one [point], he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. What [doth it] profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

God searches hearts. Nothing can be done to add to the sacrifice that Jesus offered. I am certain that you will agree that his sacrifice and his alone is our all sufficiency. The definition of "legalism" you've provided helps individuals search their own hearts but I don't see how it can help one man judge another.

Cordially,
~Sparrow

 

[littlelight]

Legalism is the notion that a sinner can, by his own efforts, or by the power of the Holy Spirit in his life, do some work to obtain or retain his salvation. Some legalists think man has free will and can perform good works if he just sets his mind to it, thereby obtaining the favor of God. This type of legalist thinks that a sinner can believe the Gospel on his own steam. Other legalists think that a sinner does not have free will, that any good he does is done by the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him, and it is these good deeds done by the power of the Holy Spirit that obtain or help obtain, retain or help retain, his salvation.

Both types of legalists, but especially the latter, may acknowledge that Christ's work of obedience is necessary for salvation, but both deny that Christ's work is sufficient for salvation. Both types of legalists assert that to Christ's work must be added the works of the sinner, done either under his own steam, or by the power of the Holy Spirit. That is what makes them legalists: their shared belief in the incompleteness or insufficiency of the work of Christ outside of them. They may differ on what constitutes good works; they may differ on whether only God's law or church law as well is to be obeyed; but they agree that the work of Christ alone is insufficient for their final salvation.


Source:
Legalism


It appears that we have a few members who fit the bill of legalist. Comments?

I believe that Jesus did it all and nothing can be added for salvation. None of the works I do after accepting Jesus' salvation goes to save me and that I do not have to do any works to maintain salvation or to keep believing.

However, I believe that I can lose salvation by ceasing to believe. Jesus drew us to Him and gave us a choice to believe or not to believe. If we believe we are saved. If we continue to believe we are saved. I maintain that since believing was not a work when I initually got saved that its not a work to continue to believe. And since it was a choice initually, it continues to be a choice and not a work.

Is believing a work? If so then why isn't it a work initually? I do not see myself in your description. Am I a legalist and if so where is my work?