And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."

Galatians 5:24-25 (NKJV)

 

Both legalism and antinomianism come from a restless spirit.

When believers slip into legalism or antinomianism, they are driven by a restless spirit to satisfy their fleshly needs. Those who live under legalism continues to rely on religious works of the flesh to obtain or maintain salvation, while those who flirt with antinomianism continues to indulge themselves through sensual works of the flesh, compromising the joy and freedom of their salvation.

Legalism prioritises earning God's favour over experiencing God's grace.

The gospel demonstrates a performance-based Christian life is opposed to our life in Christ. The Pharisees and Judaizers conceal God's all-sufficient grace by accentuating their own standards for obtaining favour. They regard salvation as self-effort rather than God's free offer of grace, denying themselves the opportunity to live with childlike faith.

Antinomianism prioritises self-gratification over experiencing God's grace.

The gospel demonstrates that living in Christ and living in sin are not compatible. Grace is used by some believers to justify sinful actions and behaviour, rather than to empower them to live a faithful and fruitful life. They feel that salvation is solely concerned with the afterlife, and as a result, they miss out on living a Spirit-filled life.

We who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh, including its feelings and its desires. This means that we can no longer rely on the flesh of legalism or antinomianism to assure the security or soundness of our salvation. Jesus is more than enough for our salvation, and the presence of the Holy Spirit within us guarantees our rest. Lacking an understanding of the gospel will reignite a restlessness that has already been quenched by the finished work of the Cross.