The law was never meant to be a stepladder to God but a mirror to reveal who we are. Trying to keep the law will lead us into legalism, which is one step away from hypocrisy.

Many years ago, I was at a meeting in my college gymnasium where Loren Cunningham was speaking. During the invitation, I felt a nudge to go forward, but an Elder of my church sat at the bottom of the bleachers. I had grown up in this church and tried to keep all the rules with limited success. I thought to myself, if I go forward, my Elder will believe I have been a hypocrite, which I was, but I did not want him to know. Pride is always the greatest hindrance to salvation.

Keeping the law is not difficult; it is impossible. If you try to keep the letter of the law, you will fail and end up covering up your failures, and becoming a hypocrite. Legalism is always a precursor to hypocrisy. The Pharisees went to great lengths to win their acceptance from God through their self-righteousness. They did a good job in making themselves outwardly look holy, but Jesus exposed their hearts. That is why they hated Jesus. Hypocrites fear one thing—having their facades removed.

I believe that it is not the apparent sins that keep most people from God but self-righteousness. You can’t lead someone to Christ who does not believe they need him. Most people compare themselves with others and think they are doing fairly well; however, God does not grade on the curve. It is sinless perfection or spiritual death, which is why we need a savior to die in our place.

If you walk down that vain path of legalism in pursuing God, you will end up with hypocrisy as your stepchild.