When we examine the debate surrounding the display of the Ten Commandments in public spaces, such as in Louisiana public school rooms, we must dig into the theological implications of the law for the students and whether it is truly in keeping with the goals of the gospel, or the “good news” of the salvation story in the Bible.
While we still have constitutional law concerns over whether the display violates the Establishment Clause, it is also worth considering what message the compelled display teaches.
Legalism: A Focus on the Letter of the Law
Legalism, by itself, threatens the gospel because it replaces the relationship God desires with a sterile adherence to rules. It exalts human effort and self-righteousness over divine grace. The Ten Commandments, are a part of the Old Covenant and do provide an excellent moral framework. Three of them are replicated in most human law, which prohibits stealing, murder, and lying under oath. But for Christians, including those who are promoting the Louisiana rule, in our humanness, they show how people are sinners in need of a Savior who provides a remedy for the sin, which is forgiveness for those who accept His perfect life in exchange for their imperfect lives.
Yet when we elevate the commandments themselves as the pinnacle of righteousness, without the New Testament remedy, we fall into the same error as the Pharisees, whom Jesus rebuked for their outward compliance and inward emptiness (Matthew 23:27-28).
- Rules Over Relationship: Legalism prioritizes the observance of rules over the relational heart of the gospel. The New Covenant is not about mere rule-keeping but about knowing God intimately (Jeremiah 31:33-34).
- External Compliance vs. Internal Transformation: Legalism focuses on external adherence to the law, but the gospel transforms us from the inside out. The Holy Spirit writes God’s laws on our hearts and changes our desires (Hebrews 8:10).
- Hypocrisy: Legalism fosters hypocrisy because it values outward appearances over true holiness. Jesus condemned the Pharisees for this exact reason–they honored God with their lips, but their hearts were far from Him (Matthew 15:8-9).
The Gospel: Grace and Transformation
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the antithesis of legalism. It declares that we are saved by grace through faith, not by works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). The gospel is about what God has done for us in Christ, not what we can do for Him.
- Grace and Forgiveness: The gospel is fundamentally about grace. It is the good news that Jesus has fulfilled the law on our behalf and offers us forgiveness and new life (Romans 8:1-4).
- Love and Relationship: The heart of the gospel is a loving relationship with God. Jesus summarized the law with the commands to love God and love others (Matthew 22:37-40). This love is not something we generate on our own; it is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5).
- Holistic Transformation: The gospel calls for a transformation that affects every part of our being. It is not about mere rule-keeping but about becoming new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Legalism Without the Gospel: A Dead Letter
Legalism, devoid of the gospel’s life-giving power, is a dead letter. It cannot save; it can only condemn. The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life (2 Corinthians 3:6).
- Lack of Spiritual Life: Legalism focuses on the letter of the law, which by itself brings death. True life is found in the Spirit, who gives us new hearts and empowers us to live for God (Ezekiel 36:26-27).
- Inability to Save: Legalism cannot save because it relies on human effort. The gospel proclaims that salvation is a gift of God’s grace, received through faith in Christ alone (Galatians 2:16).
- Missing the Essence of Christianity: Christianity is not about following rules but about knowing Christ and the power of His resurrection (Philippians 3:10). Legalism misses this essence and substitutes a lifeless form of religion.
While the Ten Commandments are foundational to understanding God’s moral standards, and keeping them is an integral part of the life of the believer, their display in public spaces must not be mistaken for the fullness of the gospel. Legalism, which emphasizes these commandments apart from the saving work of Christ, is a dead letter. The gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16). It is in the gospel, not in legalistic adherence to the law, that we find true life, grace, and transformation. And we cannot expect that secular institutions will be able to convey the fullness of the gospel message accurately – that is a job that Christ left for His church to complete.