Types of Legalism

As we continue studying the book of Colossians, one of the dangers the apostle Paul warns about is legalism. Legalism is the idea that our standing with God can somehow be earned or improved by rule-keeping. In Colossians 2, as we saw yesterday, Paul confronts teachers who were adding regulations and human traditions to the gospel, burdening believers with rules that could never produce true spiritual life (Col. 2:20–23). Legalism is subtle because it often looks like zeal for holiness. Yet in reality it shifts our focus away from Christ and onto our own performance.

Instead of resting in the finished work of Jesus, legalism tempts us to measure our righteousness by external standards and human rules. Because this danger has always threatened the church, it is helpful to think carefully about what legalism is, and the different types of it. The article below from Ligonier Ministries provides a helpful explanation of legalism and points us back to the everyday hope of the gospel.

Take a few minutes to read it and reflect on how the grace of Christ protects us from both legalism and its opposite error.

👉 Read the article: https://learn.ligonier.org/articles/3-types-legalism