Stairway to Heaven?

In the 4^th century, a set of marble stairs known as the Scala Santa were transported from Jerusalem to Rome.

What is so special about these steps that someone would go to such trouble? The Scala Santa are the stairs upon which Christ stood before Pilate. Over the centuries, the Catholic Church has granted indulgences (pardon from the temporary punishment due to sin) for climbing the stairs on the knees.

Allegedly, Martin Luther climbed the steps in 1511 while quoting the Lord’s prayer at each step. However, as the story goes, Luther became disillusioned during the process. Upon reaching the top, he is rumored to have said regarding the promise of indulgence, “Who knows whether it is so?”

With those words, Luther drilled into to the heart of legalism. Legalism is simply trying to claim divine promises through human effort.

Legalism adds commands to God’s Word.

It isn’t enough that scripture says our bodies are temples. Legalists miss the intention of the text and treat this as a platform for a Christian health initiative. Ironically, the point of the verse is that the Holy Spirit dwells within us to guide us into truth. However, legalists have no need for the Spirit –they’ve taken matters into their own hands. As long as we don’t smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol, our souls have a chance.

Legalism is full of double standards.

Of course the double standards are everywhere. The same guys who don’t smoke or drink are often on the brink of heart attacks from their addiction to fried chicken, chocolate pie, and ice cream. Then, of course, they just joke that they are building a bigger temple for the Lord (apparently with plenty of insulation). The problem with man’s laws is that they are incomplete. However, God’s law is perfect.

Legalism doesn’t trust the sufficiency of God’s Word.

Ultimately this means that legalism doesn’t trust God’s Word to be sufficient and powerful for everything (II Timothy 3:16). This is in direct contradiction to what God says.

Basically then, legalism is an attempt to “help God out.” Just think about the blasphemous implication: God needs help.

Legalism is limited.

The problem with man trying to “help God out” by adding on extra laws to God’s word, is that 1) God doesn’t need help, 2) God’s word is perfect, and 3) Man is limited.

Whereas God’s word transcends space and time, man cannot see past his own biases, cultural contexts, traditions, and misunderstandings.  Legalists adopt cultural standards under the guise of “God’s law.” They stretch verses to meet their needs. Instead of allowing God’s Word to inform their worldview, they impose their worldview on God’s Word.

After the invention of electric clippers and the mass production of scissors, legalists transposed their personal preferences for men’s hairstyles on everyone using God’s Word as to make their case. After all, didn’t you know that Sampson’s long hair got him in trouble? Interestingly, the generations prior to the twentieth century didn’t see that vital truth (haven’t you seen Michael Landon’s hair on Little House on the Prairie?)

Of course, we all battle legalism. Every time you judge someone by the way they dress, the words they say, or the car they drive; legalism is at work. When you criticize a church that is different than your own or run down a pastor who preaches in a style you don’t prefer; legalism is driving the conversation. When you judge a person by the books they read, the friends they keep, or the culture from which they emerge; legalism has a foothold.

The implications of legalism are incredibly offensive to God. That’s why Jesus was critical of the Pharisees –a highly legalistic group of religious people.

Ultimately, legalism creates an idol of man. It exalts man’s wisdom over God’s laws. So, if legalists don’t trust in God’s Word, then what do they trust in? The answer lies within themselves. They are narcissists who make idols of themselves. In a sense, they subconsciously become their own Gods (of course they would never realize or admit that is what they are doing).

In fact, they whole-heartedly believe they are doing God’s work. After all, if it wasn’t for them, the world would be full of long-haired smokers who dance and play cards. And we just can’t have that.

And here lies the rub: Legalists try to make changes from the outside and God makes changes from the inside. Unlike the legalists, God is not intimidated by a world full of sinners. And he certainly does not attempt to push them aside and isolate himself from them. Instead, He sent His son into the midst of them.

That is a novel idea for legalists. Why? Because it hits at the core of their issue: control.

In God’s redemption plan, He and He alone is in control –not man. We are called to trust and obey Him as He redeems the world in His own way –not ours.

Legalists can’t handle the control issue. They would rather climb a staircase on their knees than live by faith. So, they take over situations in an attempt to force their small-minded opinions on others in the name of making people holy. Legalists attempt to build a stairway to heaven. They force people to walk up their man-made stairs of rules and regulations to meet unreal expectations. Ultimately, legalism has no need for the gospel –or God for that matter. It is man-worship disguised by a cloak of religion. In the midst of climbing these never-ending stairways, they get busy (mistake it for being spiritual) and never get around to what’s important… the gospel.

And that is where Martin Luther’s question at the top of the stairs comes in: “Who knows whether it is so?” In other words, show me the authority confirming that if I meet this expectations, God will be happy.

Luther eventually answered the question from the only source of authority in this world when he read Romans 1:17, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Not works, not man-made, man-exalting works. Not by legalism. Just by faith in God. Faith alone.

You see, the only stairway to heaven is the stairway by which we walk in faith.