In Galatians, Paul harshly confronts legalistic teaching that had snuck so easily into the churches of Galatia.

Legalism is deadly. It places righteousness on human efforts, slighting not only God's mercy and grace, but also tempting His wrath. It's so easy to fall into legalism. Legalism is appealing to our pride, and impressive to others. "Look at how good I am," legalism cries out. "I am no sinner, I am good! I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't hurt anyone, I pray, I go to church."

Legalism emphasizes rules, regulations, observances, tradition, and self-righteousness. It also emphasizes a judgmental spirit, saying, "look at him, he's a drug addict. I am better." This is the attitude the Lord Jesus confronted when He said," Judge not, lest you be judged, condemn not lest you be condemned." He wasn't talking about confronting a sinner with the truth; He was talking about judging based on self-righteousness.

Christ gives us liberty, the liberty to love. Legalism guves us judgment eternal.

Galatians 1:1, Galatians 1:1-2, Galatians 1:2-3, Galatians 1:3-4, Galatians 1:4-5, Galatians 1:5-6, Galatians 1:6-7, Galatians 1:7-11, Galatians 2:2-4, Galatians 2:4-19 and Galatians 2:21