In the contemporary church, there exists a dangerous misconception that preaching holiness and righteousness is akin to legalism. Some critics claim that emphasizing God’s standards of holiness and righteousness is an attempt to earn salvation or impose human traditions, thus labeling such preaching as legalism. However, this perspective is deeply flawed and biblically unfounded.
Preaching holiness and righteousness is not legalism; it is the proclamation of God’s pure and holy Word. To equate God’s call to holiness with legalism is to distort Scripture and to reveal a compromising attitude toward sin and righteousness. God’s Word is pure, true, and unchanging, and it commands believers to live holy lives because He is holy (1 Peter 1:16).
This article aims to clarify that preaching holiness and righteousness is biblical, necessary, and a reflection of God’s character, not legalism. It also warns that labeling such preaching as legalism exposes a dangerous compromise with worldly standards and undermines the very Gospel that calls believers to be holy.
The Biblical Foundation of Holiness and Righteousness
God’s Nature as the Standard of Holiness
God Himself is the ultimate standard of holiness. The Scriptures affirm that God is holy and calls His people to imitate His holiness.
Leviticus 11:44 “For I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:15-16 “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’”
Preaching holiness is rooted in God’s own character. It is not an imposition of human rules but a divine call to reflect God’s purity.
2. Righteousness as God’s Standard
Righteousness is defined by God’s moral character and standards. The Bible repeatedly emphasizes that believers are called to live righteously.
Romans 6:13 “Do not offer any part of yourself to sin, as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.”
Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Preaching righteousness is proclaiming God’s moral order and calling believers to align their lives with His standards.
Preaching Holiness and Righteousness Is Not Legalism
3. Defining Legalism
Legalism is often misunderstood, but biblically, it refers to attempting to earn God’s favor through human effort, law-keeping, or adding human traditions to God’s commandments.
Galatians 5:4 “You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.”
Colossians 2:20-23 “Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: ‘Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!’?”
Legalism is about self-righteousness and human effort, not God’s call to live in obedience and holiness.
4. Preaching Holiness as a Response to God’s Grace
The gospel is fundamentally about grace, God’s unmerited favor and not about human effort. However, genuine grace produces holiness.
Biblical Reference:
Titus 2:11-12 “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age.”
Preaching holiness is a response to God’s grace, not a legalistic attempt to earn salvation.
5. The Danger of Labeling Holiness Preaching as Legalism
When the church or ministers label holiness preaching as legalism, they inadvertently promote compromise with worldly standards. It reflects a rejection of God’s moral standards and an embrace of relativism.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
This shift away from biblical standards is a sign of spiritual compromise and departure from God’s truth.
The Biblical Evidence for Preaching Holiness and Righteousness
Jesus’ Call to Holiness
Jesus Christ, the perfect example, preached righteousness and called His followers to live holy lives.
Biblical Reference:
Matthew 5:48 “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
John 14:15 “If you love me, keep my commands.”
Jesus’ teaching underscores that holiness is central to discipleship.
The Apostolic Emphasis on Holiness:
The apostles explicitly called believers to live holy lives, emphasizing that holiness is evidence of genuine faith.
1 Thessalonians 4:7 “For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.”
2 Corinthians 7:1 “Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”
Preaching holiness is rooted in apostolic teaching and biblical truth.
The Call to Righteousness in the Bible:
Righteousness as a Core Gospel Message
The righteousness of God is central to the Christian message. The gospel is about being made right with God through faith in Jesus Christ.
Romans 3:22-24 “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.”
2 Timothy 4:8 “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day.”
Preaching righteousness is proclaiming the good news of salvation and sanctification.
Righteousness as the Evidence of Salvation
True salvation results in a righteous life. The Bible links righteousness with authentic faith.
James 2:26 “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”
Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
Righteousness is the fruit of genuine faith and the evidence of a transformed life.
The Misconception of Legalism and the Reality of True Holiness:
Legalism Versus Genuine Holiness
Legalism attempts to control external behavior without transforming the heart. Genuine holiness flows from a heart transformed by grace.
Ezekiel 36:26 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you.”
Romans 12:1-2 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, this is your true and proper worship.”
True holiness is rooted in heart change, not mere external compliance.
The Power of Grace to Enable Holiness
God’s grace empowers believers to live holy lives, not legalistic rules.
Titus 2:11-14 “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives.”
Grace, therefore, is the foundation for genuine holiness.
The Practical Outworking of Preaching Righteousness and Holiness
Holiness as a Witness
A holy life is a powerful testimony to the world and a sign of authentic faith.
Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Righteous Living as Evidence of Discipleship
Living righteously is evidence of true salvation, not legalism.
John 15:8 “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
Addressing the Charge of Legalism
Preaching God’s Standards Is Not Legalism
Preaching God’s standards of holiness and righteousness is biblical, necessary, and a reflection of God’s character.
Yours In His Service
C. C. RAYMOND
