Legalism tells why one does or does not do something. Legalistic people work for God's blessing, they confuse cause and result, they misunderstand grace.
Legalism is wrong.
The Bible teaches that believers are to think and act a certain way because God has already blessed and continues to bless. The believer is to live the plan of God out of genuine gratitude and knowledge that God's plan is right, and with the understanding that he is a product of God's grace. The believer is unable to contribute anything to God through his own efforts. Practical expressions of legalism show that people are trying to earn salvation, spirituality, and God's blessing. Copyright 1989 by Tod M. Kennedy You are allowed to reproduce this article only in its entirety and without additions or deletions.