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A considerable number of brethren argue with great passion that this is a tiny detail in the Bible and certainly not worth much weight.
In response, I argue that every word in the Bible is pure because it comes from God.
“Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.” Proverbs 30:5-6 NKJV (Bold added)
Some assert it is sinful for me to be overly technical and that I am a “legalist.”
“Legalism” has become a trendy way to toss out anything in the Bible that doesn’t suit us.
The term is used in a pejorative sense to label the views of someone else in a way that essentially cancels any meaningful discussion over the topic.
“He’s just being a legalist, don’t listen to him!”
The Jews tried to disregard Jesus by calling him a carpenter’s son, i.e., discredit Him.
The truth is that trying to keep and follow all of God’s commands is not legalism, it’s just plain old-fashioned “obedience.”
“Legalism” is an obsession with rules, but not for the sake of observing the principles and intent of God. To the contrary, legalism puts the focus on the details so that one can show himself better than others, i.e., elevate himself.
The solution to legalism is not to throw out all the rules.
In Matthew 23:23-28 Jesus said the weightier matters should have been done without leaving the others undone.
Jesus didn’t tell the Jewish leaders, “Hey, don’t sweat the small stuff!”
He said they should have done the weightier matters of the law without leaving the others undone. Jesus was very familiar with “legalism.” The Pharisees had mastered the art and placed heavy burdens upon the Jewish people that no one could keep.
Jesus constantly and repeatedly confronted the Jewish leaders for their legalistic teachings.
“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.’ Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.’ Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? Therefore he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it. He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells in it. And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it.” Matthew 23:16 – 22 NKJV
Oh yeah, the Pharisees loved to elevate themselves with “legalism!”
Jesus also seemed to give credence to the idea that some commands are weightier than others meaning some commands seem to have greater importance.
We should pay close attention to what He said about the less weighty things. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!” Matthew 23:23-24 NKJV (Bold added)
He tells the scribes and Pharisees that they should have done the weightier matters of the law without leaving the other things of lesser weight undone.
In short, taking care of the weightier matters doesn’t excuse us for not doing the lesser things.
Here’s a different perspective, what could possibly have any more weight than showing God and Christ the honor They so richly deserve? Is there any sin that is greater than showing dishonor to Christ and God? I fail to see how we explain to God our love for Him when we fail to observe something so simple as obedience to head covering.
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