Why do people go back to a works religion after being freed in Christ?
People return to a works religion after being freed in Christ because they think they must have some form of works religion to satisfy the ego. Salvation by grace leaves no room for ego, yet legalism entangles believers again in the yoke of bondage, from which Christ has set them free.
Les explains this in Galatians 5:1, right after the allegory of Isaac and Ishmael. Ishmael pictured the law and legalism, while Isaac pictured the freedom believers have in grace because of God's promises. Paul writes, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Les says that yoke has been done away with, yet people go to great lengths to pull works religion back into their lifestyle. They think they have to have some kind of works religion to satisfy the ego. But when you're saved by grace, there is no ego.