LEGALISM (Law vs Grace)

2 Corinthians 3 : If we read the Bible as law (legalist overly-concerned with rule-keeping) separation will exist between God and us, and prevents a proper relationship. If we are legalistic, we will read legalism into everything the Bible says. We will exalt rules above relationship.
We need to come to God with an open heart. The law was given to show people their need for a Saviour. We absolutely cannot keep the law. We need to humble ourselves and ask God to help us – in JESUS – we need a personal relationship NOT religion. The law can’t save us – ONLY JESUS CAN! The law kills – the Spirit gives life – 2 Corinthians 3:6.
Galatians 5 : If you choose to be justified by the law (live by the law) you are separated from Christ and have fallen away from God’s grace.

Romans 10:4 : Christ was the end of the law. He accomplished and fulfilled the law for us. We no longer live by law, we live by grace.

Galatians 3:10-13 : If you depend on the law for justification, you are cursed and doomed to disappointment and destruction. Legalism is a curse. It prevents God’s blessings in your life. You can only be justified by grace through faith in what Jesus did for you. The law does not rest on faith. Jesus purchased our freedom from the curse of the law by becoming the curse for us. He fulfilled the law for us, knowing that we could never do it in our own strength.
Romans 3:20-31 : The law was given so that we can be conscience of and recognize our sin which works towards repentance. God’s righteousness is separate from the law. Righteousness is only found in believing, with personal trust, in Jesus Christ. We are justified and made right with God by his grace, through Jesus.
We are justified apart from good deeds (works of the law). Observing the law has nothing to do with justification. Does our faith make the law of no effect? NO! We confirm and establish and uphold the law.
Our faith in JESUS (NOT THE LAW) confirms and establishes fulfillment of the law through Him – and through strength received from Him we uphold the law.
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If we truly desire to succeed at being ourselves, we absolutely must have a thorough understanding of what justifies us and makes us right with God. Romans 3:28 says that we are justified by faith in Christ alone and not by our works (Ephesians 2:8-9 : For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favour) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this (salvation) is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but t is the gift of God; not because of works [not the fulfillment of the law’s demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no-one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself].)

If we have real faith, we will do good works, but our dependence will not be on works. Our works will be done as acts of love for God – in obedience to Him – rather than as ‘works of the flesh’ by which we hope to gain right standing and acceptance with Him.

Is God your Judge (law) or your Father (grace)? Is He Yahweh or Abba? Through Jesus we are able to boldly approach the throne of grace – to cry out “Abba, Father!”