It’s silly when the law is used in place of grace to address sin in the life of a believer. In Galatians 2:20 Paul says, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”. . .

The core fear of legalism is that grace can lead to sin… That freedom in Christ can become a license to sin. It’s why when a grace-proclaimer blows it, the legalist quickly accuses them of taking grace too far. . .

Why do your works fail to justify you before God? First, keep in mind justification is more than being forgiven. It’s the elimination of any record of wrong doing. Whereas forgiveness absolves me of the consequences of sin, justification imparts a right-standing before God “just-as-if-I’d” never sinned.

Have you so completely stepped in it that you now believe God can no longer use your life? I want you to know this isn’t true… Jesus is in the business of restoring broken people - bringing life out of destruction. . .

I want to address an issue related to the way in which we deal with the legalist. Sadly, when a person encounters legalism and has to defend the freedom grace affords there ends up being a counter-reaction that develops in the heart of the individual. . .

I want you to know legalistic tendencies need to be addressed and ultimately repented of not only for how they negatively affect those around you, but mainly for what they indicate is happening in your heart. . .

Why are we so easily susceptible to legalism? The answer: The law is our natural default anytime we take our eyes off Jesus! You see the lie of the many Gospel distortions is that something can actually be added to the message of “Grace alone”… That grace is best served with a partner. . .

While it’s true fear is often the driver behind the limitation of Christian liberty, you should realize it isn’t the only motivator. Sadly, there are many Christians who seek to limit the liberty of others from a false position of moral superiority. . .

In Galatians we’re told Paul not only “withstood Peter” for “withdrawing and separating himself” from a group of Gentile Christians when Jewish “men came from Jerusalem,” but he was upset Peter was also seeking to “compel Gentiles to live as Jews!”. . .

Why do some people prefer “bondage” as opposed to “liberty”? The truth is legalism within a church often grows in the petri dish of fear, not faith! People add “ands” and “buts” to God’s freeing Grace not necessarily intending to limit the liberty provided in Jesus, but to instead safeguard against the abuse of that liberty. . .