Category: The Grace of Christ

Luke 18:9–14 (KJV): “And He spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

One of the great challenges for disciples of Christ is maintaining a truthful perspective regarding our complete dependence upon Him for our standing before God. Our standing before God is not earned by our own righteousness, but is secured by the righteousness of Christ. As the Apostle Paul declared, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The reason for our falling short doesn’t change the reality: none but the Savior will ever be perfect in mortality, and each of us must rely upon His grace to obtain salvation.

Obedience to the commandments of God brings both safety and peace, and covenant faithfulness to God invites God’s power into our lives. Additionally, Christ Himself declared that all who truly love Him will demonstrate that love by striving to keep His commandments. (John 14:15)

Yet even as we strive to keep God’s commandments, Christians must remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit and vigilant against the trap of legalism.

Legalism (also known as performance-based righteousness) is the belief that salvation or standing before God must be earned through personal achievement or religious effort. It diminishes the role of Christ and exalts the role of self. Rather than following the prophet Nephi’s counsel to “rely wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save” (2 Nephi 31:19), the legalistic believer focuses and relies upon personal achievement. Grace is not viewed a gift to receive but a conditional reward which must be earned, and only becomes applicable after a person reaches a certain threshold of righteousness.

Characteristics of those with a legalistic view of the Gospel of Christ include:

• They measure a person’s spirituality (and often that of others) by outward appearance and actions rather than by inward devotion to Christ and personal transformation through the Holy Ghost.
• They focus on performing perfectly rather than on trusting Jesus fully.
• They treat the commandments of God as a checklist to prove one’s worth instead of seeing them as expressions of our covenant love for Christ.

The parable of the Pharisee and the tax-collector dismantles the belief that we earn favor with God by outward obedience alone. In this parable, Christ teaches that focusing on rule-following as the primary measure of righteousness is not only misled, but blinds us to the heart of His gospel. Christ wants our love and our loyalty, not our hollow compliance. 

God’s commandments, and the moral principles by which Christians strive to live, are vital protections against the temptations of the world and the assaults of the adversary. They guide us toward holiness and help shape our lives in harmony with both eternal truth, and the will of our Father in Heaven. However, when rule-keeping becomes the central focus of our faith, it can become spiritually counterproductive. Instead of seeking daily direction from the Holy Spirit, a legalistic believer can begin to measure their standing before God based solely on external behavior. This mindset reduces discipleship to performance and can rob believers of the freedom, joy, and transformation offered through a living relationship with Christ. Furthermore, it hinders the process of sanctification by minimizing our dependence on the Spirit, whose role is to sanctify, guide, and change us from within.

Our eternal salvation is not something which we earn through our own efforts in mortality. Instead, it is the eternal progression of a transformation which is made possible by the infinite atoning sacrifice made for us by Christ, brought about by the Holy Ghost, and facilitated by our covenant faithfulness to God.

Christ desires that we be transformed, not conformed.

President Dallin H. Oaks addressed this principle in his October 2023 General Conference talk, “Kingdoms of Glory.” He taught:

“The Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is based on the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become. We qualify for eternal life through a process of conversion. As used here, this word of many meanings signifies a profound change of nature. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become.”

President Oaks reminds us that God’s work and glory is not defined by His tracking our behavior and keeping score of our actions. His work is to transform our very nature. As Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3) The commandments and covenants of God are not ends in themselves, but the sacred means by which the Holy Spirit brings about that transformation.

True conversion and spiritual rebirth are the work of Christ and the ultimate goal of every disciple’s life. Conversion is not just about doing more; it’s about becoming more! More humble, more attuned to the Spirit, and ultimately more like our Lord Jesus Christ. When we truly understand this, we stop striving to prove our worth and we begin to “Let God prevail ” in our lives by surrendering to His power to change our hearts.

A legalistic approach to the gospel creates a number of problems, each of which stifle spiritual growth and diminish the joyful freedom we have when we live in constant fellowship with Christ.

These problems include:

• Faith becomes burdensome: Focusing exclusively on exact obedience inevitably leads to the painful realization that we cannot do so with perfection. The legalistic believer measures their spirituality and worthiness by what they do, rather than by what Christ has already done for them. But, in one way or another, all will fall short. Subsequently, a legalistic approach to the gospel can result in a feeling of never being “good enough” or “doing enough.” When we focus on our failures and shortcomings, anxiety replaces peace, and the gospel of Christ becomes a burden rather than a source of joy and respite. This is not the way of Christ. He invites us to take His yoke upon us and to find rest in Him (Matthew 11:29). Legalism does the opposite. It turns church into a chore, and religion into a stressful and burdensome duty.
• Feeling of inadequacy and shame: No one can perfectly observe all the rules all the time. It is true that the Lord can and does use “Godly sorrow” as a tool to drive us to repentance and to develop a sincere desire to live more completely and consistently in accordance with God’s will. However, shame is only a tool of the adversary. It is not a gospel principle nor consistent with the character of Christ. Shame causes us to doubt our salvation and to question the promises God gives to everyone who earnestly turns to Him in repentance and faith. Hope is at the very heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Shame (which is often the fruit of legalism) produces the opposite, and causes us to feel inferior, unworthy, and hopeless.
• Missing the Weightier Matters: Legalists place emphasis on what we must avoid, and focus on restrictions more than on the positive and transformative this which Jesus has commanded us to do. Legalists view obedience as only the avoidance of sin, and often neglect the higher call by Christ to actively do good. The principle of “exact obedience” is often understood as strict, mechanical rule-following. However, true “exact obedience” means striving to keep all of Christ’s commandments. Not only avoiding wrong, but also embracing the good thigs which our Lord has commanded us to do. Importantly, this includes placing proper weight on the things Jesus Himself emphasized: ministering to those in need, extending forgiveness, preaching the gospel, and cultivating faith in Him (see Matthew 23:23). The Gospel of Christ should be our source of inspiration, and joy. Legalism, however, can drain that joy, making it difficult for the gospel to remain a positive, and motivating force in our lives.
• Judgmentalism: One of the most damaging effects of a legalistic approach to the gospel is the tendency to judge others harshly and self-righteously. Legalists often look down upon those who they feel don’t do what they think is right and proper. Emphasis is placed not only on obedience and compliance but also on outward appearance. Those who are deemed to be falling short are often looked down upon, and sometimes even shamed. This can directly hinder the Lord’s work by offending those with sincere hearts and a true desire to draw closer to Christ, and causing them to feel inadequate, unworthy, or unwelcome. This is in complete contrast to the character, teachings, and example set for us by Christ.

• Denying the Power of Christ’s Atonement: As the prophet Jacob taught in 2 Nephi 9, the power of the atonement of Christ is infinite. Christ has perfectly fulfilled the law on our behalf. We do not honor Him by feeling that we have to fulfill it perfectly, too! While the importance of striving daily to live in accordance with God’s will through meek and humble obedience should never be minimized, neither should we feel that our salvation is in danger if we struggle at times to meet a certain standard of “worthiness.” Those who continually struggle with guilt regarding their spiritual worth should prayerfully strive to focus on what Christ has already done by His grace rather than on their own efforts.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can be especially vulnerable to the trappings of legalism. In the early days of the Church, intense persecution fostered an insular community where cultural conformity became essential to group survival and unity. As a result, the Church developed a culture that places significant emphasis on outward appearance, conformity, and obedience—not only to God’s commandments but also to Church policies.

At the heart of Latter-day Saint doctrine is covenant loyalty. Covenantal theology is relational and centers on entering into and remaining faithful within a sacred partnership with God. However, it is often difficult for members of the Church to distinguish between covenant faithfulness and strict rule adherence. When gospel teaching overemphasizes specific commandments, the focus can shift from internal transformation to external compliance.

Compounding this challenge is the Church’s reliance on a lay clergy. Most local leaders receive little or no formal theological training, which can lead to gospel teachings which are well-meaning but are behavioral focused. Behavior is easier to teach and measure than grace, relationship, and spiritual renewal. As a result, gospel instruction often focuses on “what we must do” rather than “what Christ has done,” unintentionally fostering a performance-based approach to faith.

However, there are things that all followers of Christ can do to live in Him, continue walking in His freedom, and protect against the trappings of legalism:

1. Center Everything On Christ. The foundation of our testimony, the heart of our faith, and the focus of our every religious effort must be rooted in our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Every aspect of our faith (including the truthfulness of the restored gospel) has been given to us by Him in order to help us find, strengthen, and deepen that relationship. Making time for the Lord each day through meaningful prayer helps us keep our focus on “What has Christ done for me?” and “How can I respond in gratitude and love?”, and protects us against the mindset of “Am I doing enough?” As we sincerely ask the Lord to help us “think celestial”, He will bless us with the ability to both see and feel the central role of Christ’s grace, not only in His doctrine, but in our daily life.
2. Teach, Preach, and Testify of Christ: As we teach the gospel in our homes and church callings, focusing on the central role of our covenant relationship with Christ, not a transactional religion, will help ourselves to develop and maintain that higher and holier perspective, and help others to be blessed likewise.
3. Allow others to see Christ in our weakness: We should never hesitate to speak openly about our weaknesses and the need which we have for the grace of Christ in our lives. Doing so sets a courageous and righteous example for others to follow. Our families and fellow Church members should see us pray for help, acknowledge when we fall short, and turn to Christ with hope. When we celebrate our progress and testify of the blessings and strength we receive from the Lord in our lives (even the smallest daily details) we help others recognize their need for the same grace from Christ in their lives. This honesty empowers others to see the Savior’s love and mercy working daily in their imperfections as well.
4. Speak the language of Grace: Using more relational and heartfelt language when we speak of faith; words like joy, love, belonging, and unity with Christ, helps us connect with the deeper purpose of the gospel. When our testimonies focus on who Christ is and what He has mercifully done for us and our families, rather than simply the rules we’ve kept and the blessings we’ve received, we begin to speak the true language of our merciful and loving Lord. This kind of testimony draws hearts to Christ.
5. Demonstrate our love for Christ through our obedience: We must always remember that our obedience must be a representation of the love we have for Christ in our hearts. Obedience should not be driven by fear of punishment or the belief that God will reject us or withhold His love and blessings because we are “unworthy.” A person motivated by fear will do only the minimum required to remove the perceived threat. But a person motivated by love will go to any length, even to their death, in loyalty and faithfulness. This is exactly the kind of devotion we are called to show toward Jesus. (Matthew 10:38–39 – Alma 24:19. This devotion to Christ is expressed through our daily actions in covenant faithfulness. When obedience is motivated by love, and rooted in our relationship with Christ, it becomes a joyful expression of devotion , not a fearful attempt to prove our worth.
6. Follow the Spirit, Not the Checklist: A daily focus on attuning our hearts to the Spirit (rather than simply completing a checklist of required actions) enables us to live in Christ, as He guides our thoughts, feelings, and choices. This is the essence of true freedom and covenant faithfulness. We should approach Come, Follow Me, our Church assignments, Sunday meetings, and personal worship not as boxes to check, but as sacred opportunities to connect with Christ and deepen our private relationship with Him. In doing so, we truly become Jesus’ students; learning, growing, and following Him out of love, not obligation.
7. Ask the Lord to make Church and Home holy: We should frequently and powerfully ask the Lord to help us make Church, and our home, places of joy, respite, and spiritual revival. Not places of pressure or duty.

The heart of the gospel of Jesus Christ is our covenant relationship with Him. Love is the source which compels true followers and students of Christ to strive daily for obedience.

Those who truly love the Lord, and strive to live in covenant relationship with Him, understand that our “freedom” in Christ does not give us the liberty to violate any of His commandments or to ignore any of His teachings. Christ expects His disciples to learn what He has revealed, strive daily to live according to His teachings, and fully trust that He will make up for all of our shortcomings.

The desires of our heart are of fundamental importance in the sight of God. (Doctrine and Covenants 137:9) We must never lose sight of the fact that all of the commandments of God are encompassed in that we love God with all our heart, and that we love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40). No matter what we do, if our conduct does not truly reflect the love which we have in our heart for God and for others, God will not be pleased with us. We can keep every commandment and follow every church policy perfectly, yet if we are not motivated by love, it would be of of little worth in God’s sight. (Moroni 7:46)

In conclusion, I turn to the inspiring and hopfeful teachings of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, delivered in his October 2017 General Conference message, “Be Ye Therefore Perfect—Eventually.”

“My brothers and sisters, except for Jesus, there have been no flawless performances on this earthly journey we are pursuing. So while in mortality, let’s strive for steady improvement without obsessing over what behavioral scientists call “toxic perfectionism.” We should avoid that latter excessive expectation of ourselves and of others and, I might add, of those who are called to serve in the Church—which for Latter-day Saints means everyone, for we are all called to serve somewhere…Brothers and sisters, every one of us aspires to a more Christlike life than we often succeed in living. If we admit that honestly and are trying to improve, we are not hypocrites; we are human. May we refuse to let our own mortal follies, and the inevitable shortcomings of even the best men and women around us, make us cynical about the truths of the gospel, the truthfulness of the Church, our hope for our future, or the possibility of godliness. If we persevere, then somewhere in eternity our refinement will be finished and complete—which is the New Testament meaning of perfection.

I testify of that grand destiny, made available to us by the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, who Himself continued “from grace to grace” until in His immortality He received a perfect fulness of celestial glory. I testify that in this and every hour He is, with nail-scarred hands, extending to us that same grace, holding on to us and encouraging us, refusing to let us go until we are safely home in the embrace of Heavenly Parents. For such a perfect moment, I continue to strive, however clumsily. For such a perfect gift, I continue to give thanks, however inadequately. I do so in the very name of Perfection itself, of Him who has never been clumsy or inadequate but who loves all of us who are, even the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.”