Mr Legality Is A Deadly Fellow

Subtle Unbelief Which Perverts the Gospel of Christ

Here is a powerful analysis we came across the other day.

A new and more powerful proclamation of [God's Law] is perhaps the most pressing need of the hour; men would have little difficulty with the gospel if they had only learned the lesson of the law.  As it is, they are turning aside from the Christian pathway; they are turning to the village of Morality, and to the house of Mr Legality, which is reported to be very skillful in relieving men of their burdens.

Mr Legality has indeed in our day disguised himself somewhat, but he is the same deceiver as the one of whom Bunyan wrote.  "Making Christ Master" in the life, putting into practice "the principles of Christ" by one's own efforts--these are the new ways of earning salvation by one's own obedience to God's commands.  And they are undertaken because of a lax view of what those commands are.  So it always is: a low view of law always brings legalism in religion; a high view of law makes a man a seeker after grace.  [J. Gresham Machen, quoted in Ned B. Stonehouse, J Gresham Machen: a Biographical Memoir (Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1987], p. 396.]

Our post-Christian world is still awash with people who live in the village of Morality.  want to obey the "Golden Rule" or claim they respect the Ten Commandments.  They will speak of the need to respect parents, of honesty and truth-telling, and of respecting the property of others.  Deep down they harbour a belief that these things will earn them merit and take them beyond the grave and win the approval of God in the Day of Judgement.   They don't claim to be perfect, or without faults.  But they believe that when the scales are brought forth on the day of judgement the Balance of God will show more righteousness than evil in their lives. 

Against this false view stands the clear, unambiguous statement of God: "For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it." [James 2:10.]   To repeat Machen's words: "So it always is: a low view of law always brings legalism in religion; a high view of law makes a man a seeker after grace."