Why is everyone today so prone to legalism?
Legalism is so common today because it is rooted in human nature. When people are brainwashed by religion and tradition, as Paul was in Judaism, they become ingrained with legalism of one sort or another, making it hard to break away from law and embrace grace.
Les explains that the little letter to the Galatians was written to show that believers are not under law but under grace, and it remains appropriate today because most of Christendom is saturated with legalism, making it hard for people to break away. He humorously suggests it took three and a half years to get Judaism out of Paul at the retreat in Arabia, illustrating that human nature clings to religion and tradition. Just as Paul was brainwashed in Judaism, everyone today is ingrained with legalism of one sort or another. Grace, remember, means total freedom and total liberty.