Liberty, Legalism, and Grace

Is freedom dangerous? Many think that stressing Christian liberty leads to license and all kinds of sin. People would abuse their freedom if they knew they were free. Legalism-- the setting up of a list of dos and don'ts to follow by which one spirituality is gauged is actually more dangerous for it robs believers first of the freedom in Christ by making them slaves again to bondage. And it also robs believers of the enjoyment of the spiritual wealth that is ours in Christ. By relying upon the flesh to live the Christian life, we fail to profit from what Christ has done for us. By seeking to be righteous through our own human efforts, we put ourselves again under the whole law. And when we seek to be righteous apart from Christ, we effectively cut ourselves off from Christ, and thus from experiencing grace. In the process, we lost out on the experience of the rich blessings of life with Christ under the influence of the Spirit. However, when we chose to live by grace through faith in Christ, we develop a genuine righteous life under the control of the Holy Spirit. Plus, we live a life of faith which manifests itself in works of love! It's either law or grace! Can't be both! We are exhorted to stand firm in the freedom by which Christ has made us free!