Errors of Legalistic 10C obeying thinking
Like in Acts 18:24–28 Priscilla and Aquila heard his errors, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. After recieving these truths, He himself then greatly helped those who had believed through grace, and powerfully refuted false teachings, by teaching the Scriptures accurately.
My hope today is that you will be of a teaching spirit, and recieve this correction, or gain a better understanding of this topic.
Many new, weaker and less mature believers dont comprehend this right. Some misarticulate it, so they confuse others.
Legalism vs a Transformed new life
Many in "Christianity" (likely legalists, uneducated new believers or those in false churches (under false teaching) think/say/comment emphasizing the keeping or following the 10 Commandments. But they need correcting,
Those with the new nature naturally live out the communicable attributes cuz they have spiritual life, have been restored to who we were orig. designed/supposed to be... by our new identity and nature in Christ. After all Christ’s active obedience (His life of perfect law-keeping) was done in our place, and were just stuck in this sin stained body, warring with sin, until we leave it and put on the eternal one.
But what we live out, and what we do regarding sin, isnt going to lose our salvation, but also our life isnt one of legalism. We are living out the righteousness because we are a new creation. We have spiritual life, the righteousness of Christ, and thus are living out holiness in all areas, which btw expands far beyond the 10C.
The 10C was just a perfection standard God revealed to us, to show [in part] how Holy and Perfect God is, what we were originally were designed to have as attributes, as image bearers if God, which was lost at the Fall, and how "The Law was our Schoolmaster to lead us to Christ", as Scripture says. It was a teaching tool to lead fallen man to Salvation.
Key Points in Simple Terms:
1. Salvation is by Grace Alone through Faith Alone
Our eternal salvation does not depend on how well we obey the Ten Commandments or any law.
Christ’s active obedience (His perfect life and law-keeping) and passive obedience (His death on the cross) are counted to us by faith.
2. The New Nature Produces Godly Living
When someone is born again, God gives a new spiritual nature.
This new nature naturally desires to live in a way that reflects God’s character, including love, honesty, holiness, and patience.
Obedience isn’t about earning salvation; it flows from the transformed heart.
3. The Battle with Sin
Even believers struggle with sin in this “sin-stained body.”
Struggling or failing doesn’t remove salvation; it’s part of the process of sanctification, growing in conformity to Christ.
4. Legalism vs. Faith-Driven Obedience
Legalism is trying to earn God’s favor through rules.
True Christian obedience comes from faith in Christ and gratitude, not fear of losing salvation.
5. Simole Understanding:
Christ already obeyed perfectly for us. We don’t earn our salvation by obeying rules. But because He lives in us, our new hearts naturally want to do what’s right. Struggling with sin doesn’t mean we’re not saved — it’s just part of following Him in a fallen body that's still stuck in the fallen world.
Illustrations for Understanding:
The Mirror Analogy: Christ’s obedience is like a mirror reflecting perfect righteousness. We don’t create the mirror; we simply look in it, and it shows us what a renewed heart will reflect over time.
The Law is likd that mirror, reflecting our sinful state & God's holy perfection, which is the standard of measure.
Parent/Child Analogy: A child who truly loves their parents doesn’t follow rules to earn love; the child naturally obeys out of love and trust.
However...I do want you to grasp the subtle yet important distinction. Even when someone says, “We obey the Commandments to live out our faith, they might still be framing obedience as if our effort produces spiritual life or validates faith, which misses what Scripture emphasizes.
Here’s how understand it more clearly:
We don’t “live out” our faith by obeying the law.
True faith isn’t measured by rules we follow; it’s a new life God gives us. Obedience flows naturally from that new life, not from trying to demonstrate faith.
Legalism is “I must do this to show I’m a Christian.” Even well-meaning rule-following for “living out faith” can lean that way if the focus is on our effort.
Instead, think: Christ lives in me → I naturally bear fruit → God’s law reflects the character of Christ in me. Obedience is evidence, not the source, of life.
Summary:
Obeying the commandments isn’t how we live out faith. We already have new life in Christ, and that life naturally produces right thinking & living. It’s not legalism, and it’s not our effort — it’s Him living through us, whom He recreated, to now be proper image bearers.
Reread all the above to ensure you're grasping this right. 😊
God bless
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