What is legalism and how do you recognize it?
Legalism is any teaching that instructs people what they must do to merit favor with God. It is recognizable in many shapes or forms because it makes human effort, not grace, the basis for acceptance; millions shun God's grace saying they must work for it.
Les explains that legalism comes with all of its demands, and no matter what shape or form it takes, it is still legalism. Legalism always instructs you as to what you have to do in order to merit favor with God. This stands in contrast to grace: the Law with its "Thou shalt not" and "Thou shalt" was done away, while grace remains and says, "Therefore stand in the liberty wherewith Christ hath saved us." Same God, but two totally different economies. Many people shun the Gospel of God's grace and say, "I have to work for it," which is the devil's lie. When Christ died and rose from the dead, God was totally satisfied that that was all we needed, and we can trust it completely.