I can not understand it in this form.
Here is what I have come to understand.
by the kindness (grace- same word) of the Father, He sent His Son to die, to pay our penalty of death, each have earned.
He sent His Son to this horrendous painful death --- out of kindness -- while we all were evil unrepentant sinners.
Who dies for murderers, people that can murder infants and children or even for pedophiles? not me, I could push the button on these folks.
this is the grace of God, this is the only way I can understand this word.
"Grace" also seems to ignore or even hides the Sacrifice Christ made for us.
This is FACT: if Christ had not come and died as our Passover --- not one human would ever live again.
That one event --- is grace, is kindness, is love, far far beyond the ability of man.
and I believe there are very few that understand what Christ gave up to become our Passover. On second thought there are none!
Grace is so much more than kindness.
Acts 20:24
But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry
which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of
the gospel of the grace of God.
Galatians 1:6
I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you
by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel.
Philippians 1:7
For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment
and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel,
you all are partakers of grace with me.
Legalism is utterly contrary to the gospel of Jesus Christ because it replaces the finished work of the cross with
human performance. It forces believers to earn their standing with God, whereas the gospel offers unmerited favor,
transforms the heart, and gives a secure identity as God’s children.
The New Testament highlights several foundational reasons why legalism fundamentally opposes the gospel of grace:
It Nullifies the Work of Christ.
The core claim of legalism is that faith alone is insufficient and must be supplemented by rule-keeping to achieve
righteousness. The Apostle Paul directly addresses this in the Book of Galatians, stating.
Galatians 5:4
You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ;
you have fallen away from grace.
To rely on the law for salvation is to claim that Christ’s sacrificial death was inadequate for salvation.
It Makes Faith About Fear Instead of Love Under Grace, obedience flows out of gratitude, love, and a transformed heart.
The Apostle John writes, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear" (1 John 4:18). Legalism reverses this
completely. Its primary motivators are the fear of punishment, fear of rejection, and the anxiety of constantly falling short.
It reduces a vibrant, Spirit led relationship with God into an oppressive list of do's and don'ts.
It Promotes Self-Righteousness over Surrender.
Legalism feeds human pride and the flesh by allowing people to measure themselves against others. It creates a competitive environment where individuals view their moral performance as a way to boast before God
or condemn those around them. The gospel, conversely, completely dismantles human pride by declaring that no one is justified by works of the law (Romans 3:20,) centering all the glory on God's grace.
It relies on will power instead of the Holy Spirit Living under grace does not mean an excuse to sin. Romans 6:14 famously declares, "For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace."
Legalism attempts to restrain sin using external rules and sheer human exertion. The gospel, however, defeats sin through the internal power of the Holy Spirit, who writes God's desires (love) on the believer's heart.
