The Gospel Vs. Legalism

Many believers and non-believers today are confused about God’s salvation. In this two part series, we will look at “The Gospel Vs. Legalism” concerning salvation. Part one will touch on the initial salvific act of God on a sinner’s behalf. Part two will touch on “The Gospel Vs. Legalism” concerning sanctification. Presently, we’ll define the Gospel and how God saves a sinner initially. Since October 31^st is next Tuesday (the Reformation anniversary), let’s briefly look at some history.

In reflecting upon the 500 year anniversary of the Reformation, we remember a return to the true Gospel. The Church, at the time, was promoting works righteousness in order to get to God. God in His grace, worked in many instrumental people’s lives to proclaim His truth rebutting man’s faulty ways. We thank God for them!

The word "Gospel" is a translation of the Greek word euangelion, meaning "good news". That's exactly what it is: God's Good News on how to be saved! There is no other "good news". In other words, there is no other way to be saved, other than by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4:

          1      Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand,
          2      by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.
          3      For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
          4      and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

This is the Gospel! Paul writes in Romans 1:16-17: “16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”

Read Ephesians 2:1-10 carefully:

          1      And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,
          2      in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.
          3      Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.
          4      But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
          5      even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
          6      and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
          7      so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
          8      For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
          9      not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
          10    For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

There’s no need for further explanation on these two passages. They clearly proclaim that “Salvation belongs to the Lord…” (Ps. 3:8). This passage in Ephesians will serve as a launching point for next weeks’ part two: “The Gospel Vs. Legalism” concerning sanctification. One more passage on today’s topic:

Titus 3:3-8:

          3      For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.
          4      But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,
          5      He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
          6      whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
          7      so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
          8      This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.

In closing, may we heed Paul’s words in Philippians 3 when he dealt with the legalists of his day:

          1      Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.
          2      Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision;
          3      for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,

Thanks be to God!

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (1 Co 15:1–4, Ro 1:16-17, Eph 2:1-10, Tt. 3:3-8, Php 3:1-3). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.