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Holiness Rooted in Grace: Avoiding Legalism in the Christian Life
Show Summary:
Holiness is not a ladder we climb to reach God—it’s the path we walk because Christ has already brought us to Him. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how Christians can pursue holiness without falling into legalism by grounding their obedience in the gospel, depending on the Holy Spirit, and walking in humility.
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God calls His people to holiness. That call is clear throughout Scripture. Yet many Christians struggle with how to pursue holiness without drifting into legalism. When obedience becomes performance, and rules replace grace, the gospel is quietly displaced—even when biblical language remains.
Legalism is the attempt to earn God’s acceptance through effort, rule-keeping, or spiritual performance. Holiness, by contrast, is loving obedience motivated by gratitude for God’s grace. The Christian life must be marked by both truth and grace, holiness and humility.
Scripture is clear that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. As Ephesians 2:8–10 reminds us, we are saved by grace, not by works. Yet we are also created in Christ Jesus for good works. We pursue holiness because we are saved—not in order to be saved.
This means that obedience must always begin with the gospel. Grace fuels obedience; guilt-driven striving does not. When believers forget the gospel, holiness quickly turns into self-effort and pride. When the gospel is central, obedience becomes joyful and humble.
True holiness also depends on the work of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:16 calls believers to walk by the Spirit, promising that those who do so will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Holiness is not self-manufactured righteousness—it is Spirit-empowered transformation. We obey by relying on God’s strength, not our own.
Love for Christ is another essential foundation for biblical holiness. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Obedience that flows from love and worship is fundamentally different from obedience driven by fear or duty alone. The heart leads the hands.
Finally, pursuing holiness without legalism requires humility. Legalism breeds pride; grace produces humility. The apostle Paul captured this truth when he wrote, “By the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10). Godly believers understand their constant need for God’s grace and mercy.
Holiness, then, is the fruit of salvation—not the cause of it. It is not a ladder we climb to reach God. It is the path we walk because Christ has already brought us to God. Grace saves, grace sustains, and grace transforms.
True holiness glorifies Christ, not ourselves. It produces humility, joy, and growing Christlikeness—not self-righteousness or pride.
Episode Notes
- Holiness begins with the gospel, not self-effort (Ephesians 2:8–10).
- The Holy Spirit empowers obedience (Galatians 5:16).
- Love for Christ motivates joyful obedience (John 14:15).
- Grace produces humility, not pride (1 Corinthians 15:10).
Key Scriptures
Ephesians 2:8–10; Galatians 5:16; John 14:15; 1 Corinthians 15:10.
Call to Action
If this episode helped clarify the difference between holiness and legalism, please share it with someone who may need encouragement. For more biblical teaching and resources, visit Servants of Grace and subscribe to Contending for the Word Q&A on YouTube.
