Beware of the Heresy of Legalism

Legalism means to use the law improperly or in excess, in other words being imbalanced.  There are three types of legalism which are:

Note: Type 1 and Type 2 refer to works salvation.  Type 3 is when a Christian happens not to be careful of the leaven of the Pharisees.

Type 1- This is where the person attempts to use the Law to GAIN salvation

This is basically what most false religions are about- working their way to Heaven.  For example, Roman Catholicism is a type 1 legalist of a religion because it teaches that their members cannot be sure of their salvation and have to continue working for their salvation which is false, false and false.  Romans 3:28 says that NOBODY is ever able to justify themselves by keeping the whole Law.  Ephesians 2:8-10 is clear that salvation is NEVER by works while works result because of salvation but it can neither save nor maintain salvation.  Galatians 2:21 says that if the righteousness of God were attained by keeping the Law then Christ is dead in vain.  Other religions that follow are like Islam, Buddhism, Orthodoxy, Hinduism and Jainism to name a few.  Funny how many of them post Galatians 2:21 then say that believers can lose their salvation whenever they sin rather than teach chastising awaits instead!

Type 2- This is where the person believes that salvation is initially by faith then kept by works

This is a subtle approach.  Roman Catholicism can also enter into type 2 legalism whenever they say that salvation is by faith and not by works then it is later maintained by works.  Again this is just as wrong as the first one. Why?  If sinning ever makes a person their salvation, it's basically still works salvation!  Some of them say, "Well we're not teaching works salvation." but it is STILL works salvation.  John 6:37 says Jesus will not cast anybody out whoever comes to Him so that means even if He cannot tolerate sin and punish sin but He does NOT revoke their salvation.  Pentecostal groups are examples of the type 2 legalists.  A conversation between a Presbyterian pastor, a Baptist pastor, a Seventh Day Adventist pastor and a Pentecostal pastor went like this.  First question was whether or not salvation is by faith.  All three say yes.  Then the second question is, "Do you believe that when a person sins, they lose their salvation?"  The Pentecostal and Seventh Day Adventist said, "Yes." while the other two said no.  

Type 3- This is where one who is saved by faith is quick to judge other church members especially to determine the fake from the real one

This is pretty deadly.  Jesus said in Mark 8:14-21 that Christians should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees.  Okay this does not mean a Christian can lose their salvation.  Why?  Well it's 100% impossible for any backslider in the faith to STOP TRUSTING JESUS (1 John 2:19)If salvation could be lost then it would only be because it was possible to stop trusting Jesus which it is NOT.  It can be a reality that some Christians will be quick to judge others.  Okay Christians are expected to live away from ALL SINS to please God and to avoid being spanked and because they love God HOWEVER it becomes legalism for any Christian to boast about their good works and put their fellow Christians down.  An example of this type of legalist was when Peter boasted he would never deny Jesus even if the others did.  This becomes a constant source of failure because we can't live above sin except by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.