Errors to Avoid
Legalism Defined
Law and Gospel · 6 verses
Legalism is the error of seeking justification or sanctification through law-keeping rather than through faith in Christ's finished work. It may add human traditions to divine commandments, or it may corrupt gospel grace by making salvation contingent upon human performance. Legalism kills by burdening consciences with requirements God never imposed or by suggesting that Christ's work requires human supplementation. It is the persistent temptation to trust in our obedience rather than Christ's, to build on works rather than grace.
Scripture References
“Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.”
“Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.”
“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”
“He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.”
“Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?”
“For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”