Why is understanding the difference between law and gospel important for Christians?

The distinction between law and gospel is crucial for Christians as it serves to uphold the purity of the gospel message. Any attempt to conflate law with grace presents a total denial of grace (Romans 11:6). Paul warns against legalism, asserting that a mixture of works and grace claims that Christ's death was in vain (Galatians 2:21). Legalism seeks to insert human effort into the equation of salvation, which ultimately undermines the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice. Recognizing this difference protects believers from the false notion that salvation requires adherence to law and ensures that the focus remains on the completed work of Christ.