Sabbath

Paul condemned perversion of law
The apostle Paul also wrote extensively against those who would pervert the proper use of Yahweh’s law.
This is particularly apparent in the book of Galatians. What Paul addressed was not the correct keeping of
Yahweh’s law, which he himself elsewhere upheld (Romans 3: 31; 7:12, 14, 22, 25), but a claim that
justification (the forgiveness and restoration of a sinner to a state of righteousness) could be achieved by
circumcision and strict observance of the law.
Some false teachers (Galatians 2:4; 5:10, 12; 6:12-13) subverted the Galatian churches by wrongly insisting
that circumcision and the keeping of the law were sufficient requirements for justification and salvation, apart
from faith in Messiah Yahshua.
Paul condemned this erroneous teaching, noting that obedience to the law had never made eternal life possible
(Galatians 3:21). He made it clear that justification---being made righteous in Yahweh’s eyes and thus gaining
access to eternal life---is only available through Messiah Yahshua (Galatians 2:16; 3:1-3, 10-11, 22; 5:1-4).
Paul made it clear that forgiveness of sin requires a sacrifice, and even the strictest observance of the law
cannot remove the need for that sacrifice.
However, the law of Yahweh remains the righteous standard by which all mankind will be judged (James 2:8,
12). The law is not annulled or abolished by faith in Messiah (Romans 3:31), as many falsely believe. Instead,
said Paul, the law’s proper use is established by faith.
When Solomon concluded that the whole duty of man is to “fear Yahweh and keep His commandments”
(Ecclesiastes 12:13), he expressed the enduring purpose of Yahweh for all mankind. The apostle John agreed
when he concluded that, if we love Yahweh, we will keep His commandments (1 John 5:3).
The woman taken in adultery was told by Yahshua to “sin no more” (John 8:11)---in other words, to uphold
Yahweh’s law! Yahshua told the rich young man, who came to Him asking what he could do to have eternal
life, “If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:17).
Biblical examples of legalism
So what does the Bible tell us about legalism?
To substitute humanly devised laws for Yahweh’s laws, as the Pharisees did, is legalism.
To rely upon the keeping of any law to make one righteous in Yahweh’s eyes, instead of faith in Messiah, is
legalism.
If all one focuses on is obedience to law apart from the motivation of pleasing Yahweh, loving Yahweh and
loving their neighbor, this distorts the purpose of the law (Matthew 22:36-40; Romans 13:10) and is legalism.
If we believe that any keeping of Yahweh’s law can earn our salvation as our reward, we are guilty of
legalism.
Technical obedience or strict obedience to the exact letter of the law while searching ways to get around the
underlying purpose and intent of the law, is legalism.
Proper obedience is not legalism
But Messiah Yahshua and the remainder of the Bible make one thing perfectly clear: Proper obedience to the
law of Yahweh is not legalism.
After conversion, a Christian is given a much fuller understanding of the purpose and intent of Yahweh’s law.
He understands the importance of faith in the person and sacrifice of Messiah Yahshua. He is given a more
complete understanding of why he is to be obedient. But it remains for him to obey. That is not legalism.
To obey Yahweh’s biblical commands in a proper attitude, such as His command to remember the Sabbath
and keep it holy, is not legalism. Don’t allow anyone to beguile you with such a false notion, which is itself a
contradiction of Messiah Yahshua’s own command (Matthew 5:19).
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