Legalism

Connections List
 * Faith alone, vs Works
 * Psalm 50
 * Pharisee
 * Christian Isms

Definition
 * A common error - conscious or unconscious - in which someone tries to earn their way into heaven via doing good things (works).

Topics
 * Other religions
 * OT works, verses
 * NT verses
 * Denominations
 * Practical

Other religions
 * Most other religions include some works component - sacrifice to make the God happy, do the 5 pillars, practice the 7 or 12 steps towards the enlightened path...

OT
 * We must concede they did sacrifices in the OT, however we must point to the prophets who God told to write things like "I desire mercy, not sacrifice" (Hosea 6:6, see also Psalm 50)
 * Isaiah 57:12 "I will expose your righteousness and your works, and they will not benefit you."

Denominations/theo
 * Catholics are also commonly accused of this error due to prayer beads, focus on the saints, penance, purgatory, etc.

Practical/e.g.
 * Inside all Christians one can slip into a works-based theology even with thoughts like "If I just believe harder, God will accept me" or "If I feed the poor and whatnot won't I be blessed?" (which is slightly different but related) or just a preoccupation with doing things and not taking time to rest in Gods presence and be ok if he doesn't ask you to do a ton of work.
 * We may slip into "believe harder" or "give self more fully" as an attempt to retain control and pride.
 * It is possible the Pharisees thought they were good enough that they didn't need the Messiah. That is, they didn't need Messiah to make new heart, just to overthrow Rome. And even overthrow Rome they may not have been too eager, since their current position was pretty good anyway.