Faith and doubt
What does the Bible say about legalism?
Paul confronted rule-keeping that replaced grace. Scripture calls for obedience that flows from love, not for earning God's acceptance.
What Scripture says
Galatians 2:16
“yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law.”
Galatians 5:1
“Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don’t be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”
Colossians 2:20-23
“If you died with Christ from the elemental spirits of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances, “Don’t handle, nor taste, nor touch” (all of which perish with use), according to the precepts and doctrines of men? These things indeed appear like wisdom in self-imposed worship, humility, and severity to the body, but aren’t of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.”
Romans 3:28
“We maintain therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.”
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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. See all Bible questions or verses by topic.