Obedience vs. Legalism
Understanding the Difference
A common misunderstanding among Christians today is the belief that obedience to Christ is either unnecessary or something God will magically make happen in our lives. Some assume that if we are truly saved, obedience will just happen naturally without effort on our part. Others go to the opposite extreme and claim that emphasizing obedience is legalism or works-based salvation.
However, the Bible teaches that obedience is a choice—one that each of us must make daily. God does not force us to follow Him; rather, He calls us to willingly submit to His will out of love. Let’s explore this truth through Scripture.
Obedience Is a Choice, Not an Imposition
God has given us free will, and with that comes responsibility. He will not force anyone to obey Him, but He has made it clear that choosing to follow Him is essential.
“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.”
(Deuteronomy 30:19, NKJV)
God sets the path before us, but we must choose to walk in it. Jesus Himself reinforced this truth:
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
(Luke 9:23, NKJV)
Notice the word desires—it is a choice. He does not say, I will make you follow Me. Instead, we are called to willingly deny ourselves and submit to Him.
Love-Driven Obedience: A Willing Response to Grace
Some claim that teaching obedience is legalism, but this ignores a foundational truth: love naturally produces obedience when we choose to follow Christ.
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
(John 14:15, NKJV)
This verse is not a statement of force but of choice. Jesus does not say, If you are Mine, I will make you obey. Rather, He says, If you love Me, you will choose to obey Me.
Again, He emphasizes this truth:
“He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me.”
(John 14:21, NKJV)
Obedience is not about earning salvation—it is about responding to God’s love. When we love God, we choose to obey Him because we desire to please Him.
Faith Without Obedience Is Dead
Some believe that faith alone, without any action, is enough. However, Scripture teaches that faith is demonstrated through obedience. Faith that does not lead to action is dead.
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
(James 1:22, NKJV)“Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
(James 2:17, NKJV)
Saving faith is active—it involves a deliberate choice to follow God’s commands. It does not mean we are perfect, but it does mean we are striving daily to walk in His ways.
Paul confirms that grace teaches us to live obediently:
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.”
(Titus 2:11-12, NKJV)
God’s grace teaches, but we must choose to apply what we learn.
We Are Not Robots—We Must Choose to Follow
Many assume that once they are saved, obedience will automatically follow. But the Bible teaches that we must actively choose obedience every day. If we do not, we can drift away.
Hebrews warns believers:
“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God.”
(Hebrews 3:12, NKJV)
This warning shows that even those who are in Christ can turn away if they choose to stop obeying. God will not force us to remain faithful—we must desire to walk in His ways.
Jesus also makes it clear that only those who choose to do the will of the Father will enter His kingdom:
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”
(Matthew 7:21, NKJV)
Simply claiming faith in Christ is not enough. We must choose to obey Him.
The Pattern of Salvation Requires a Willing Response
Throughout the New Testament, we see that God calls us to actively respond to His offer of salvation.
Hearing the gospel (Romans 10:17)
Believing in Christ (John 3:16)
Repenting of sins (Acts 2:38)
Confessing Christ (Romans 10:9-10)
Being baptized into Christ (Acts 22:16)
Living faithfully (Revelation 2:10)
Each step requires a choice to obey. God does not make these things happen to us; He calls us to willingly follow Him.
Obedience Is the Path to Eternal Life
The Bible does not teach that obedience is optional for a believer. It is not something God will do for us—it is a choice we must make every day.
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.”
(Ecclesiastes 12:13, NKJV)
Jesus Himself tells us that the reward of eternal life is for those who choose to remain faithful:
“Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
(Revelation 2:10, NKJV)
Obedience Is Not Legalism
Some confuse obedience with legalism, but there is a clear distinction:
Legalism is attempting to earn salvation by works.
Faithful obedience is choosing to follow Christ out of love.
Obedience does not mean we think we can be saved by works; rather, it means we understand that true faith produces action. James 2:26 makes it plain:
“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
(James 2:26, NKJV)
Calling someone a legalist does not make it so. Obedience to Christ is not legalism—it is love.
Will You Choose to Obey?
Obedience is not about earning salvation—it is about choosing to love, trust, and follow Christ.
God will not force us to obey Him. He has given us the choice. The question is: Will we choose to follow Him or not?
“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.”
(Joshua 24:15, NKJV)
Each day presents a new opportunity to choose obedience. What will you choose today?
Obey the gospel Acts 2:38
There is obedience to what we read, and then, much harder to obey, the Spirit. There are none good. There are none who do good. All have sinned and fallen away. So what is the point of trying to obey that which by its very nature brings disobedience to the fore in our hearts? I am so tired of this push to place the yoke of the law and sin on the necks of those whom Jesus has SET FREE.
Under the Law, the high priest would enter into the holy place where the presence, the glory of God was. And he did not enter without the shedding of blood. And if he entered with guilt of sin on his conscience he died in the holy place.
Jesus died to set us ALL free from this system that kept us removed, separated from God’s presence. In His death He removed the ordinances that were contrary to our being in fellowship with God. In His resurrection He instituted a new priesthood, Himself being the High Priest, holding His priesthood on the basis of an indestructible life. And on the basis of His priesthood we have access to God. GLORY GLORY GLORY