This is a helpful article on different levels of legalism. All of which hurt our relationship with God. What I have clipped is a interesting portion from his “fourth level” which may be what some of us may still struggle with even after leaving much worse levels of legalism (and spiritual abuse) in GCx Churches—serving Christ predominantly from duty rather than his love which often supernaturally compels us. Imagine a marriage relationship performed predominantly from duty instead of love, and you have one very long and burdensome chore.
“...there is probably one more kind of legalist. It is a borderline case. This person avoids the worst forms of legalism. Yet he so accentuates obedience to God’s law that other ideas shrivel up. He thinks of
Christian living as little more than obedience to God’s law. He reasons, “God says we should tithe, so I tithe. The Bible says we must pray, so I pray. It says submit to leaders, witness, read Scripture, so I submit, witness, and read.” We could call this person a Nike Christian. He hears a command and
thinks I’ll just do it He reasons, “God has redeemed us at the cost of his Son’s life.
Now he demands my service in return. This is my duty.”
Legalist! by Dan Doriani, The Gospel Coalition
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/legalist1/
