What is legalism, and does it only mean temple worship and Judaism?
Legalism is false teaching that appeals to the human concept of having to do something. Paul's doctrine says we do nothing but rest by faith in what God says He has finished on our behalf—the Gospel of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. Legalism is not only temple worship and Judaism; it comes in many subtle shapes and forms.
Les explains that in Galatians Paul is not so much defending his person as he is his doctrine—the teaching. Paul is refuting false doctrine, false teaching that had crept into the Galatian churches and every church he founded. Les stresses this is not unique to Paul’s day; it has plagued Christianity through the centuries and is just as apropos today, because we are still constantly fighting the false teaching of legalism. Normally people think of legalism as simply temple worship and Judaism, but Les says no—legalism comes in all kinds of shapes and forms, and it is always subtle. It appeals to the human concept of “I have to do something.” Paul’s doctrine says we do nothing but rest on and believe what God says He has finished on our behalf; that is the Gospel, the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. In Galatians 3, Paul illustrates faith by going back to Abraham, who believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Abraham did not bring sacrifice, keep a set of commandments, or get baptized in the Jordan; he did nothing but believe God.