Scripture: Galatians 5:1 (NIV)
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
Grace is a glorious gift. It is the unmerited favor of God lavished upon sinners who cannot earn their way to heaven. The cross of Christ, where our sins were paid in full, stands as the ultimate declaration that we are saved not by works, but by faith through grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).
But even those who have been saved by this marvelous grace can find themselves slipping into legalism—trading the light yoke of Christ for the heavy burden of law.
Yes, a person saved by grace can still be a legalist. Not in terms of salvation, but in how they live, judge, and relate to others—and even to themselves.
1. The Subtle Shift from Grace to Law
Legalism often doesn’t come with loud announcements. It creeps in quietly. It begins when we start measuring our spiritual worth—or someone else’s—based on performance, rules, and outward behavior. It takes the vibrant, joyful relationship with Jesus and turns it into a checklist of religious duties.
Paul saw this in the Galatian church. After receiving the Spirit by faith, they started believing they had to finish their walk through human effort (Galatians 3:3). Legalism whispers: “Grace saved you, but now it’s up to you to stay saved.” And so we begin to strive, to prove ourselves, to measure and compare.
2. Legalism Masquerades as Righteousness
A legalist doesn’t always look like a Pharisee. Sometimes they are the most active church members. The ones who never miss a service, tithe regularly, and speak with polished Christian vocabulary.
But behind the veneer may be a heart that fears rejection, a soul striving for God's approval through works.
Legalism feeds the illusion of control. “If I do everything right, I am righteous.” But righteousness is not earned. It is imputed—freely given—through Christ.
The danger is that legalism can make us look holy while disconnecting us from grace.
3. Grace is the Soil of True Obedience
Legalism cannot produce fruit; it can only produce fear or pride. Grace, however, transforms the heart. It leads to joyful obedience—not as a condition of acceptance, but as a response to love.
Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Love comes first. Legalism reverses this and says, “Keep my commandments, and maybe I’ll love you.”
The grace-saved person who forgets this can become burdened, bitter, and burned out. And when others don’t measure up to their standards, they become judgmental and harsh, not because they are evil—but because they have forgotten grace.
4. Living Free While Staying Grounded
Paul urges us: “Do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” He is not saying freedom gives license to sin, but that the freedom of grace empowers us to love. The legalist says, “Obey to be accepted.” Grace says, “You are accepted, now live as a child of God.”
This is the paradox: a person can be justified by faith and still live as if grace was never enough. It’s like being released from prison but choosing to live behind imaginary bars. We forget what Jesus meant when He said, “It is finished.”
Conclusion. Today, let us examine our hearts. Are we saved by grace but still living by law? Do we burden others with standards God has already fulfilled in Christ? Have we allowed our walk with God to become a performance rather than a relationship?
Brothers and sisters, we must return daily to the fountain of grace. We must remind ourselves that while obedience matters, it is the overflow of love—not the foundation of salvation.
Let us live as people truly free—not just from sin, but from the tyranny of earning. For where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17). And that freedom is not the absence of boundaries, but the presence of love.
Let us pray. Lord, forgive us for the times we trusted in our works more than Your grace. Remind us daily that it is by grace we have been saved, and by grace we live. Set us free from legalism, and lead us into the joy and liberty of Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.
