What really is “legalism”? It is the belief that I can become holy and please God by obeying laws. It is measuring spirituality by a list of do’s and don’ts. The weakness of legalism is that it sees sins (plural) but not sin (the root of the trouble).

It judges by the outward, not the inward. Furthermore, the legalist fails to understand the real purpose of God’s Law and the relationship between Law and grace.

Believers who try to live by rules and regulations discover that their legalistic system only arouses more sin and creates more problems. The churches in Galatia were very legalistic, and they experienced all kinds of trouble. “But if ye bite and devour one
another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another” (Galatians 5:15). Their legalism did not make them more spiritual; it made them more sinful! Why? Because the Law arouses sin in our nature.

From the Word: “You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace” (Galatians 5:4, NIV).

Also consider: Romans 4:4-5, 16; Ephesians 2:8.

Action assignment: Write out what you are trusting in to make you a member of God’s family. Thank God that salvation is by His grace, not by your efforts.

Warren W. Wiersbe
www.backtothebible.in