Legalism is entirely a works-oriented salvation while God’s salvation and gift of eternal life is purely by grace, that is, “not by works of righteousness” (Titus 3:5).

Pure legalists or “Pharisees” love tradition more than the truth (Matt 15:1-9). They love their own self-righteousness above Bible righteousness (Luke 18:9-14). Their zeal is for their own standards and not for the God of standards (Matt 23:15), which leads to a frequent misunderstanding. 

Every single church has standards. In one of the most controversial areas today (the area of clothes and what people wear), there are also standards in every church. Does your church have a dress code for its teachers? Would it be acceptable for someone to teach a children’s Sunday school class wearing a bikini? No. A line is drawn at some point, either by God or society, for what is considered acceptable. So “standards” are not the problem.

It is not legalism for a church to say, “this is what we consider modest.” On the other hand, it is legalism to say, “you must wear this or do that in order to get to Heaven.” 

It is not fair to label Christians “legalists” because they have a higher standard than you do. Many Christians do not have a TV in their home. I do. I respect and admire the standard as long as it is because of a zeal to please a Holy God. But if you do not have a TV because you think that God will think more highly of you or your family personally, then you are in fact practicing legalism. If your attitude is one of ‘holier than thou’ – guess what, you’ve just proved you’re not!

To set standards in order to get to Heaven will fail miserably. To establish standards because you are on the way to Heaven and desire to please a thrice-Holy God is totally in agreement with Scripture. God’s holiness is extreme. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee” (Titus 2:11-15).

Because standards exist in every church, it is my personal conviction that we ought to take the high road. It is extremely important to note, however, that high visible “standards” that aren’t accompanied by a matching lifestyle (speech, behavior, etc.) will be rejected and cause more harm than good.

When I see someone whose appearance or speech betrays a close walk with the Lord it causes me to look within, consider my own sincerity and motives, and challenges me to a higher walk with God. “Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” (Rom 14:4-5)