The term "legalist" is not found in the Bible. However, the concept is. The threat of Legalism has been around since the first century. Today, it still lurks among God's people. But, just what is Legalism? Edwin Myers, Professor of Bible, Harding University wrote:

"Legalism is not law keeping, it is law depending. Attempting to do away with keeping Christ's commandments as requisite to salvation by claiming that we are not justified by law, and to say we do not have to obey the law, is to say two very different things. Paul never does away with law keeping; he does away with law depending. Salvation is by atonement (what Christ does for me), not by attainment (what I do for myself)" (qtd in Galatians, Wharton, p. 5).

The book of Galatians is written to dispel the threat of "Legalism" among God's people. My friends, a careful study of Galatians will build our faith as well as promote the freedom that is in Jesus Christ!

"For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage" (Gal.5:2).