The Way - Day 049 (Galatians 4)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
Galatians 4
In Galatians 4:1-7 Paul uses an illustration of a child coming of age to serve as a comparison of our life before and after coming to faith in Jesus Christ. As children, we were slaves to the elements of the world and Paul is specifically referring to a man-made system of works which supposedly bring salvation from God (4:1-3). However, Jesus came into the world, "born under the law to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons." Adoption carries the idea of bringing someone into a new family. Before Christ we were all a part of Satan's family and were condemned because of sin, but through Jesus Christ we were brought into God's family and have become His sons. Now He has "sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts crying out 'Abba, Father!'" The Spirit resides in our heart and gives us the ability to call God Abba. This word is the same as when we say "daddy" and is comparable of when children speak to their father. It is a term of endearment. What a privilege to be called the sons of God and to talk to God as our Father!

Paul has already established that salvation is only by grace through faith and there is no need to continue following the ceremonies and rituals of the Mosaic law. The false teachers had been seeking to deceive the churches at Galatia into thinking that salvation was a mixture of works and grace, but Paul defended that it was a free gift through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Jesus' death removed the demands and penalty of the law and brought salvation to those who believed. Now that the Galatians had believed, Paul questioned why they turned "again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?" He goes on to say that they "observe days and months and seasons and years." Paul could not understand how they turned to God in faith, but then quickly were deceived into thinking that they could earn favor with Him through keeping ceremonies, traditions, and festivals (4:9-10). His fear was he had "labored for you in vain" meaning they had accepted the gospel of grace, but then returned to legalism (system of works righteousness). Paul was once a Pharisee, thinking he could attain salvation through good works, but he soon trusted in Jesus Christ and rejected his own efforts to save himself. He knew the pressures that the Galatians were facing from these false teachers because he used to be one (4:12). Paul had ministered to the Galatians the first time through some type of "physical infirmity" and they received him "as an angel of God" (4:13-14). He points out that they greatly loved him and accepted his preaching as truth (4:15-16), but now they are beginning to be influenced by the message of the Judaizers (4:17). Instead, Paul wanted them to be zealous for the message of grace, even when he was not physically with them (4:18). Paul desired that the Galatians would continue to mature spiritually "until Christ is formed in you." The goal for these Galatians was that they would continue following the truth and reject the false teachings of the Judaizers. If they kept consistent, their faith would grow and they would become more like Christ in their attitudes and actions.

Paul is continuing to contrast grace and works which has been motivated by false teaching from Judaizers. He has been building a case as to why grace/faith is superior to law/works. Again, the false teachers had infiltrated the churches at Galatia with prerequisites for salvation and were adding these requirements in addition to grace. Paul turns to an Old Testament illustration of Abraham and Sarah. God had promised that He would give them a son of promise through whom all the world would be blessed; however, after time had passed it seemed as though God would not fulfill His promise. So, Abraham and Sarah tried to take matters into their own hands by Abraham sleeping with Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian maid (Genesis 16:1-16). Hagar bore a son named Ishmael, but his birth was a result of Abraham and Sarah not trusting that God would give them a son. Eventually God gave them a son named Issac and fulfilled the promise He had made to them. Ishmael was born of human efforts, but Issac was miraculously given by God. Paul uses this real life story to illustrate a spiritual truth. Hagar represented law/works while Sarah represented grace/faith (4:22-26). Hagar was a slave and illustrated being under bondage to the law and Sarah illustrated freedom through grace. Issac received the promises made to Abraham just as believers receive God's promises of redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ (4:28). According to Galatians 4:29, there has always been conflict between the descendants of Ishmael (Arabs) and the descendants of Issac (Jews). This struggle is illustrated in modern day between unbelievers (those who trust in law/works)and believers (those who trust in grace/faith) - this was the struggle which was now taking place in the churches at Galatia. Paul challenges them to forsake justification through the law because it only leads to bondage, but rather be justified through faith which leads to freedom (4:30-31).

Dear God, thank You for the freedom provided through the grace given by Jesus Christ!