Why is it important for Christians to avoid legalism?

Legalism, or the belief that law-keeping contributes to salvation, can ensnare believers and cause them to revert to bondage, as explained in Galatians. Paul warns against being entangled again with 'the yoke of bondage,' emphasizing that Christ's work alone grants us righteousness. When Christians seek to add to Christ’s finished work by adhering to rules or rituals, they undermine grace and, consequently, the sufficiency of the Gospel. This leads to doubts and anxieties about one’s standing before God, contrasting the peace and assurance Jesus brings through faith in Him alone.