Legalism is one of the greatest enemies of faith because it shifts the focus from trusting in God’s grace to relying on human effort and rules. Legalism emphasizes human effort and rule-keeping as the safety net for righteousness and acceptance with God. But believers don’t need a safety net. We have everything we need for life and godliness. Legalism undermines grace by suggesting that we need to add our own works to Christ’s finished work. Legalism often results in feelings of condemnation. Why? Because it sets an impossible standard of perfection. This is why grace through faith is sufficient to forgive all sins: past, present, and future.
