The Bible warns against legalism, which distorts the gospel by adding works to grace for salvation (Galatians 1:6-9).
Legalism denotes the belief that adherence to the law can earn God's favor or contribute to one's salvation. In Galatians, Paul confronts the legalism that was infiltrating the early church, asserting that any gospel that requires works alongside grace is a 'different gospel' and ultimately leads to damnation. The essence of the true gospel is the sufficiency of Christ's finished work, which grants believers complete acceptance before God independent of their performance. Therefore, Christians are encouraged to reject legalistic tendencies and embrace the fullness of grace as the means of their salvation.
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