Legalism or Faith
“Legalism exists when people attempt to secure righteousness in God’s sight by good works. Legalists believe that they can earn or merit God’s approval by performing the requirements of the law... A legalist believes that their good works and obedience to God affects their salvation."
Source: https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-terms/what-is-legalism-definition-and-examples.html
By that definition most professing Christians are bound up in some sort of legalism that essentially minimizes the efficacy of the finished work of Jesus at the cross and diminishes the power and sufficiency of his blood to pay all of our sin debt and wash away our iniquities.
In the end, only Jesus can keep the 10 Commandments to God's holy standard of perfection. We all fall short. Our only hope is in Christ.
We believers receive the blessed Holy Spirit, the writer and giver of the law. He leads us into all the truth, just as Jesus promised.
So the real question is, do you trust what Jesus said about that to be true, and do you believe you are being led by the Spirit? If so, then let go of leaning on your own understanding of what the commandments are telling you to do and not do. Stop trusting yourself and your own efforts to adhere to the law and lean into the law maker.
From my personal experience, understanding the difference between legalism and faith has been crucial in my spiritual journey. Early on, I found myself trapped in a cycle of trying to 'earn' God's approval by meticulously following rules and laws, believing that my salvation depended on my performance. It felt burdensome and left me feeling distant from God. However, as I grew in faith, especially through prayer and studying scripture, I realized that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is sufficient to cleanse us from sin. Trusting in Him and the Holy Spirit, who guides believers into truth, transformed my approach to spirituality. Instead of focusing on legalistic adherence, I learned to rely on the Holy Spirit’s leading, which brings a deep sense of peace and assurance. The phrase "I place my trust in you Lord. I know you lead me," often resonates with me as a personal reminder to release control and lean into God's guidance. This mindset shift allowed me to experience freedom from the pressure of perfect obedience and welcomed a joyful relationship with God. It's about trusting Jesus, the lawmaker, rather than trying to perfectly follow the letter of the law. This faith-based approach nurtures growth, forgiveness, and a heart aligned with God's will rather than mere rule-following.
