What is moralism and is it a problem?
I would understand the terms "moralism", "legalism", and "externalism" to be basically synonymous for our purposes here.
Moralism is the focus on reforming behavior while ignoring unbelief in the heart. In Romans Paul talks about the obedience of faith and the righteousness of faith. He also says that whatever does not come from faith is sin (Romans 14:23). What Paul is talking about is that true righteousness that stems from a genuine love for God and a confidence in his favor toward us.
Because of sin, all of us have a heart disposition of unbelief toward God and hatred toward God. This is the very essence of sin. The law is given to expose this slippery creature. But sinners have taken God's law and used it for moralism. This was both the Pharisees' problem and also the Jews that Paul is dealing with in Romans 2 who condemn others but do not condemn themselves. It's possible to ignore the inner desires and motivations of the heart and simply focus on conforming behavior to God's law. This is tithing mint, dill, and cumin but neglecting love and mercy. This creates self-righteous, arrogant, religious people and not merciful saints.
People don't just need moral reform, they need new hearts. This means that deep down people love and desire something other than God above all else. They need a new love for God which reigns supreme. The only way to get such a new heart is by the gift of the Holy Spirit through hearing the word of the gospel. As we hear about the beauty of Christ, the Spirit opens our eyes and softens our hearts to trust Him and delight in Him. True obedience to the law can only come from such a faith and delight in Christ. Any obedience to the law which comes from a different heart is actually sin.
This is why the message of "obey the law!" and "try harder!" can only ever discourage sinners or produce self-righteous Pharisees. We must go to the heart and expose the false loves and unbelief of the heart. We must remind ourselves and proclaim to others the beauty of Christ which is the only thing powerful enough to displace our false loves. Moralism is a huge problem that we've got to do all we can to avoid. Diagram attached.
I would understand the terms "moralism", "legalism", and "externalism" to be basically synonymous for our purposes here.
Moralism is the focus on reforming behavior while ignoring unbelief in the heart. In Romans Paul talks about the obedience of faith and the righteousness of faith. He also says that whatever does not come from faith is sin (Romans 14:23). What Paul is talking about is that true righteousness that stems from a genuine love for God and a confidence in his favor toward us.
Because of sin, all of us have a heart disposition of unbelief toward God and hatred toward God. This is the very essence of sin. The law is given to expose this slippery creature. But sinners have taken God's law and used it for moralism. This was both the Pharisees' problem and also the Jews that Paul is dealing with in Romans 2 who condemn others but do not condemn themselves. It's possible to ignore the inner desires and motivations of the heart and simply focus on conforming behavior to God's law. This is tithing mint, dill, and cumin but neglecting love and mercy. This creates self-righteous, arrogant, religious people and not merciful saints.
People don't just need moral reform, they need new hearts. This means that deep down people love and desire something other than God above all else. They need a new love for God which reigns supreme. The only way to get such a new heart is by the gift of the Holy Spirit through hearing the word of the gospel. As we hear about the beauty of Christ, the Spirit opens our eyes and softens our hearts to trust Him and delight in Him. True obedience to the law can only come from such a faith and delight in Christ. Any obedience to the law which comes from a different heart is actually sin.
This is why the message of "obey the law!" and "try harder!" can only ever discourage sinners or produce self-righteous Pharisees. We must go to the heart and expose the false loves and unbelief of the heart. We must remind ourselves and proclaim to others the beauty of Christ which is the only thing powerful enough to displace our false loves. Moralism is a huge problem that we've got to do all we can to avoid. Diagram attached.