Does following the Torah Imply Legalism?
A common belief in the Christian church is that Israel tried to earn their salvation in the Old Testament by keeping God's Law perfectly. The proper term for attempting to keep laws to merit salvation is called "legalism." It may surprise many, but legalism is not part of the Law of Moses or the Jewish traditions. Salvation has always been through God's mercy and favor (His grace). However, just as we see the canceling of the Torah taught in many Christian churches, we also see the teaching that grace has canceled the law (the Torah). This line of thinking is not accurate.
In the New Testament, especially in the writings of Paul, we see the frequent use of the word "law." For many, the term "law" conjures up images of the Old Testament and the belief that Israel tried to earn their salvation by keeping God's laws. Many may not realize this, but the term "law" in the New Testament does not always refer to the Law of Moses. It certainly does not imply a form of legalism as understood in the days of Paul's writings. We have confused Paul's teaching about "works" as legalism. He was actually talking about relying on Jewish identity as a requirement for salvation.
Many Christians have pitted the concept of grace and the Law against each other as if the two terms are complete opposites. One example of how this dichotomy has developed comes from verses like John 1:17:
For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:17, ESV Bible)
Thankfully, this translation from the ESV got it correct, but did you know translations such as the King James Version interpret this to say, "For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." A close inspection of the King James Version will show that the word "but" is italicized, indicating it is not part of the original Greek text but was added by the translator. The original Greek of John has no disconnect between grace and Law (the Torah). Interpretations such as the King James Version have convinced many that grace and Law are somehow opposed. This belief that grace and the Law are opposed is far from the truth. Suppose we define legalism as trying to earn salvation and grace as God's unmerited (unearned) favor. In that case, it is safe to say that grace and legalism oppose each other.
Many Christians see the Torah as legalism. This idea is a common misunderstanding. Legalism is trying to earn salvation from God. And nowhere in the Bible is this taught. The common belief that Israel tried to earn their salvation in the Old Testament is based on a misunderstanding of teachings on grace and teachings of the Law. Remember, God gave the Torah to Israel. The Torah was not a set of statutes fabricated by Israel. The Torah was given to Israel by God as instruction. God never intended the Torah to be a means of salvation. We would discuss legalism if Israel could earn their salvation by following the Torah. However, when God gave Israel the Torah, Israel was already a redeemed people. Israel was already given God's gift of redemption, as evidenced by Israel's deliverance from Egypt:
"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery." (Exodus 20:2, ESV Bible)
Redemption was all God's action. Israel could do nothing to earn or deserve this act of God. They did not earn salvation from Egypt based on obedience to commandments or laws. Redemption always precedes commandments. Judaism has always seen the Torah as following salvation, not preceding it. When we read the story of Israel in Exodus, we see that Israel was saved and given the Torah. Likewise, we must be saved before we can follow God's commands.
If keeping the Torah was necessary for salvation, we all would fail. Israel failed, many times, to keep the Torah. As Paul writes:
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23, ESV Bible)
The Torah was not given as a means to merit salvation. The Torah was given to Israel for instruction but also for obedience to the one God they pledged to serve:
"While Moses went up to God. The LORD called to him out of the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: 'You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel." So Moses came and called the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the LORD had commanded him. All the people answered together and said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do." And Moses reported the words of the people to the LORD. (Exodus 19:3-8, ESV Bible)
Legalism says, "I must obey God for salvation." Grace says, "I must obey God because I already have salvation." Do we say that following God's commandments is legalism? God forbid!
Grace and the Torah have never been opposing forces, but rather partners in God's plan for His people. The Torah was given to Israel as an instruction for how to live after they were redeemed, not as a means to earn redemption. Legalism, which teaches that salvation must be earned through works, is not the message of the Torah or of the Bible as a whole. Instead, obedience to God is the response to the grace He has already extended. As we see in both the Old and New Testaments, grace precedes the commandments, and the Torah serves as a guide for those already saved by God's mercy.