THE ADVENT TRUTH
Many people dismiss God’s law by calling it legalism or by claiming it was just for Moses and the Israelites. But the Bible is clear: God’s law is eternal and reflects His very character of love and justice. Legalism isn’t about keeping the law — it’s about trying to earn salvation through our works. Salvation has always been by grace through faith, even in the Old Testament (Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 4:3). God’s grace saves us, but His law shows us what sin is (Romans 7:7) and guides our lives after we’ve been saved.

Jesus didn’t come to abolish the law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17-19). If the law were merely “Mosaic,” it wouldn’t have existed before Moses — but we see Cain murdering Abel, Joseph fleeing adultery, and Pharaoh condemned for lying long before Sinai. Clearly, God’s law was already in place. The Ten Commandments were written on stone to show they are unchanging, unlike the temporary ceremonial laws that pointed forward to Jesus (Colossians 2:14-17).

Calling obedience legalism is like saying being faithful to your spouse makes you legalistic. True love is shown through action (John 14:15). In the end, the issue isn’t legalism — it’s rebellion. God’s final people are described as those who “keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12). Grace saves you from sin, not to stay in it.