Originally Posted by Slippery

a legalist is one who develops their on criteria for righteousness and judges others by it.

Example of a legalist. Person A is a christian who had an alcoholic father. Person A then decides to forgo all alcoholic consumption. Person B is a christian who engages in moderate alcohol consumption, Person A, then decides that Person B is sinning and might not be a christian because he or she engages in alcohol consumption. Person A is therefore a legalist.

Example of a non legalist. Person A studies the Bible diligently and as a result walks and strives to walk in obedience to God. Person A keeps the Sabbath Holy and does not believe in cursing and hanging out with unbelievers. Person B is a young christian and every now and again, lets ammonia fly from his mouth. Since being a young christian, Person B still hangs out with unbelieving friends and also uses the Sabbath as a regular day to hang out with unbelieving friends at the sportsbar after church. Person A, then decides that Person B is sinning and might not be a christian because he or she doesn't keep the Sabbath. Person A confronts Person B, and Person B replies by saying Person A is a legalist and that Jesus hung out with prostitutes and publicans. Person A is not a legalist and Person B has warped theology in addition to being immature spiritually.