What does legalism do to people who are under it?
Legalism brings people into bondage, causing them to grovel in the dust and beg to make it. It robs them of freedom and joy, wrapping them again in law-keeping. Paul asks how they can desire again to be in bondage, because they do not realize that when Christ died, He paid it all.
Les explains that legalism puts people literally crawling in the dust and begging, “somehow I can make it.” He contrasts that with a woman who came out of a rigid religious background and gloried in grace, living in freedom and grace. The Galatians were going back into that stuff, giving up their freedom and joy and letting themselves get wrapped up again in legalism and law-keeping. Paul asks, “How can you desire to again be in bondage?” Les says it is hard to understand, yet the human race is largely groveling in legalism and good works, trying to keep the commandments and not realizing that when Christ died, He paid it all.