It strikes me that salvation in legalism is a product of perfect adherence to the law subsequent to a perfect understanding of truth. “I understand perfectly, and I respond perfectly,” the legalist thinks. A legalist is comfortable in knowing he/she perfectly understands, but he is tortured by the knowledge that he does nothing else perfectly, leading him to constantly fear being wrong. As a result, he reluctantly engages truth wrestlers who reduce his confidence in his perfect knowledge.
Salvation by grace is a gift awarded to those who pursue perfect adherence to the law subsequent to a pursuit of a perfect understanding of truth. A grace-receiver is satisfied with his/her imperfect pursuit of perfect understanding and perfect execution. As a result, he isn’t threatened by truth wrestlers because he sees grace as a gift to those who wrestle, even if they wrestle poorly.