Legalism and motivation

Reformed Christians speak so much and so highly about gratitude for salvation as a motivation for Christian living that some might be tempted to think that gratitude was the only motivation for Christians. You may have even heard it claimed that legalists are people who keep the laws for motives other than gratitude. But what is legalism?

There are basically two ways to be a legalist. One is by pursuing justification by self-righteousness. The other is by making up laws and standards beyond what is written, usually with an emphasis on outward observation, and often as part of a pursuit of self-righteousness, and typically also as a means to condemn others in order to make oneself seem more righteous than them (again, often because of a pursuit of self-righteousness). This second kind of legalist shows that at the very least their practice is contrary to justification by faith alone, in that they attempt to puff themselves up by their invented standards, while simultaneously looking down on others.

Christ never condemned the Pharisees for keeping the law, rather He condemned 1) their pursuit of self-righteousness, 2) their hypocrisy, 3) their unjust condemnation of others, 4) their elevating of their traditions as if they were law, 5) their setting aside the law by their tradition, 6) their focus on merely outward observance, 7) their wrong priorities, straining at gnats and swallowing camels, carefully tithing mint and cumin, while neglecting justice and mercy, and placing temporary ceremonial laws (or ceremonial observances connected to moral laws) above eternal moral law.

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." (Matthew 23:23)

Grace fulfills the law, so that we are freed from its condemnation, so that we may keep it. Grace also gives us far more reason to keep the law than others, and also frees us from the power of sin in us so that we actually can begin to keep the law from the heart.

Gratitude is a very powerful motivator for a Christian, and the proper response to the Gospel of grace (how we are delivered from our misery), but it is by no means the only motivation. For example, should a Christian not be motivated by the glory of God? Sola Deo Gloria? What about the motivation of love for God? Or do we only love Him because we are grateful? Or do we love Him because in His love for us He has revealed Himself to us and given us a new heart that seeks after Him and delights in His goodness? Are we motivated also by love for our neighbour, or do we love our neighbour only because we are grateful for the forgiveness of our sins? Are we motivated by wisdom, the beginning of which is the fear of God? Are we motivated by deep concern for our neighbour's salvation (Paul was!)? Are we motivated by humility, knowing our place before God as His servants? Are we motivated by joy? By other Christians who spur us on? Are we motivated by our hatred for sin, not merely of others, but especially of our own? Are we motivated by the failures of others? Are we motivated by the wickedness of this world? Are we motivated by the growing cold and apostasy of many? Are we motivated by having our affections in heaven, not on earth? Are we motivated by love for the church? Are we motivated by peace and by patience? Are we motivated by sufferings? Are we motivated by looking for a city that has foundations? Are we motivated by our blessed hope? Wisdom finds motivations everywhere!

Also consider the Canons of Dordt, Head V, Article 13:

"Neither does renewed confidence or persevering produce licentiousness, or a disregard to piety in those who are recovering from backsliding; but it renders them much more careful and solicitous to continue in the ways of the Lord, which he hath ordained, that they who walk therein may maintain an assurance of persevering, **lest by abusing his fatherly kindness, God should turn away his gracious countenance from them**, to behold which is to the godly dearer than life: the withdrawing thereof is more bitter than death, and they in consequence hereof should fall into more grievous torments of conscience."

This article speaks about the motivation of the restored repentant sinner, that he never again wants to experience His father's chastisement, or lose sight of His father's smiling countenance over him.

As father raising children, it is important to me that my children enjoy fellowship with me and can see my love and delight in them, when they are walking in the right way. When they go astray, they have to know that I am terribly displeased with their behaviour, and that I can't enjoy fellowship with them in their disobedience, or delight in their disobedience. I hope that this gives them strong motivation to continue in my delight over them, in the way of careful obedience. And when I read Scripture, this is how I see God has always dealt with His people, and I also see that He deals with me this way.

"And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." (Hebrews 12:5-6)

His chastisement of me is very gracious and very merciful, but I don't want to walk in the way of His chastisement, but in the way of His delight. Fear of His chastisement motivates me, and desire of His delight motivates me. And yes, gratitude motivates me, also simply knowing who God is, that He is worthy, and my Father. I hope that God would use everything to motivate me in the right way! I need all the motivation I can get!