Why is it important for Christians to distinguish between law and gospel?

For Christians, recognizing the distinction between law and gospel is crucial because it affirms the basis of our salvation. The law serves as a mirror, revealing our sin and our inability to achieve righteousness on our own. The gospel, conversely, assures us that salvation is fully accomplished by Christ's work—His perfect obedience and sacrificial death. This clarity protects believers from falling into legalistic practices that corrupt the grace of God, as Paul emphasizes in Galatians. It also enables believers to live out their faith freely, in response to God’s grace, rather than out of fear or obligation. Essentially, this distinction preserves the integrity of the gospel and ensures that believers rest in the finished work of Christ rather than their own merits.