So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.” This way of faith is very different from the way of law, which says, “It is through obeying the law that a person has life.” Galatians 3:11-12, NLT
I grew up in a church immersed in legalism and then my failed marriage was severely handicapped by the bastard. Needless to say, I can spot legalism a mile away. That’s not to say I never fall into its trap.
Wikipedia states, “Legalism, in Christian theology, is a sometimes-pejorative term referring to an over-emphasis on law or codes of conduct, or legal ideas, usually implying an allegation of misguided rigor, pride, superficiality, the neglect of mercy, and ignorance of the grace of God or emphasizing the letter of law over the spirit. Legalism is alleged against any view that obedience to law, not faith in God’s grace, is the pre-eminent principle of redemption…”
Legalism is what you might identify as “biblical principles” that aren’t based on the good news that Jesus has set us free from a life confined to keeping “the rules.” Legalism has plenty to say, certainly more than the bible does. For instance…
Legalism says that you should be reading a certain book of the bible that I’m currently reading if you want to be truly spiritual.
Legalism says you must be a part of my denomination in order to be truly Christian.
Legalism says that my behavior is excusable and yours is unforgivable.
Legalism says you can’t talk the way you talk and be holy, you should talk like me.
Legalism says you can’t hang out with who you hang out with and follow Jesus, you must hang out with the good people I hang out with.
Legalism says you can’t eat certain things that I don’t eat if you want to be acceptable to God.
When you get down to its roots, legalism has all the room in the world for “the rules”, but no room for faith in Jesus.
Nullus Extra Cruem 