The Doctrine of Justification by Faith Alone in Christ Jesus Alone - Apart from Works

“And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:” (Romans 4:5, 6 ESV)

There are legalists in every age. The Pharisees, in New Testament times, were legalists. They had a list of laws, some biblical and some extra-biblical, that they believed must be kept to be right with God. Roman Catholicism is radically legalistic with its system of penance and venial and mortal sins. They believe that sinners are made right with God by a combination of faith and works. There are legalists in the Church today who give lip service to grace but then load people up with all kinds of laws that they say must be kept. Legalism is the heart of man’s religion. If man creates a religion you can be sure it will be legalistic. The biblical answer to legalism in all of its forms is the doctrine of justification by faith alone in Christ Jesus alone, apart from works. You cannot truly understand and believe this doctrine and be a legalist.

Now tell me, doth this offend you?