A New Position with God
Chapter 4 of Galatians begins with Paul describing the Jews' relationship with God while under the law. He says they were like children under the guardianship of the law. They were slaves to the principles of the world. Warren Wiersbe explains that an infant son or child cannot enjoy the father's wealth. In the Roman world, the children were cared for by a servant. This represented the Jews spiritual condition. The law was the guardian that disciplined the nation and prepared the people for the coming of Christ.
This relationship changed, however, when Christ came. He redeemed those under the law and made them full heirs as sons, giving them the Holy Spirit. The NIV Study Bible adds that God takes us into His family as fully recognized sons and heirs. We are not little children but adult sons with all of the privileges of sonship. We do not have to wait to begin enjoying the spiritual riches we have in Christ (WW). This was true for both the Jews and the Gentiles who chose to believe in Christ. As believers, our new guardian is the Spirit of God (NIV).
In John 1:12 we read that to those who receive Christ and believe in His name, He gives the right to become children of God. The NIV Study Bible adds that membership in God's family is by grace alone - the gift of God. John 3:3 says that no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. And John 3:16 tells us that whoever believes in Christ will not perish but have eternal life. Wiersbe writes that God prepared the world for the arrival of His Son through political, social and spiritual means. Christ came to redeem those under the law. To redeem is "to set free by paying a price." The price was Christ's life on the cross.
As a believer in Christ, I have been adopted into God's family. I have the privilege of being able to call out to God as "Abba Father." The Greek for the phrase "Abba Father" is a vivid verb expressing deep emotion, often used of an inarticulate cry. In Matthew 27:50 it is used of Jesus' final cry. It is expressive of an especially close relationship to God (NIV). It is overwhelming to comprehend that God has accepted me as a member of His family. It makes me think of Big Daddy Weave's song "I'm Overwhelmed". The lyrics, "I know the power of your cross - forgiven and free - forever you'll be my God - And all that You've done is so overwhelming. And God I run into your arms - Unashamed because of mercy - I'm overwhelmed by You." Thank you, Abba!
After describing the privileges and the personal relationship the Galatians had been given as sons, Paul then writes in verses 8-11 what they were willing to replace that with instead. They were choosing to follow weak and miserable principles. The NIV Study Bible explains that legalistic trust in rituals, in moral achievement, in law, in good works, or even in cold, dead orthodoxy indicates a relapse into second childhood on the part of those who should be knowing and enjoying the freedom of full-grown sons. The Galatian church was abandoning their liberty and going back into bondage (WW). The Galatians were also choosing to observe special days, months, seasons and years. The Pharisees did this in order to gain merit before God (NIV). Prior to salvation, the Galatians were ignorant sinners. They served false Gods and experienced pagan slavery. When they trusted Christ, however, they were delivered from superstitious slavery. (WW)
In verse 12, Paul pleads with the brothers to become like him because he had become like them. In Philippians 3:1-9 we read that Paul considered everything loss for the sake of Christ. His righteousness came through faith in Christ. Paul then asked the Galatians to reflect on their first meeting with him, when they first heard the gospel. In Galatians 4:13-15 we learn about the church's love and respect for Paul. Paul had come to them because of an illness. It may have been eye trouble, malaria or epilepsy (NIV). In spite of this, the Galatians did not treat him with contempt or scorn. They welcomed him as if he were Christ Himself. Their joy was so great at hearing the gospel, they would have given Paul their own eyes. The NIV Study Bible tells us that under the influence of the Judaizers they changed their attitude toward Paul. Under legalism they had lost their blessing and joy.
In verses 16-20 we see the difference between the motives of the Judaizers and of Paul in their relation to the Galatians. The Judaizers were zealous to win the Galatians, but not for their own good. They were trying to alienate them from Paul and make them zealous for the Judaizers. Warren Weirsbe writes that a false teacher will try to attract other men's converts to himself and not to the Word or Christ. The Judaizers were lying to the Galatians and trying to glorify themselves. However, a true servant of God will try to help others know Christ better and glorify Him. The Galatians had not lost the experience of salvation, but were losing the enjoyment of it and finding satisfaction in their works (WW).
In verses 21-31 we learn about Abraham's two sons and what they symbolized. Hagar's son, Ishmael, was born in the ordinary way. His birth symbolized the physical birth that makes us sinners and slaves to the Law. Wiersbe writes that Hagar was Abraham's second wife. God began with Sarah; but Hagar, like the law, was "added". It performed a temporary function and was then taken away. The law was given as a servant to lead to Christ; it was not given to be a mother. Just as Hagar was not meant to bear a child, the law cannot give life or righteousness or the gift of the Spirit or a spiritual inheritance. Hagar gave birth to a slave and like Ishmael, the old nature is at war with God. The law cannot change or control it. Hagar was cast out. Law and grace cannot stay together. Hagar was not married again. The law was never given to any other nation or people. The Judaizers were trying to impose the law on the Galatians. Finally, Abraham sent Ishmael away so Isaac could have freedom just as God sent His Son for our liberty.
Sarah's son, on the other hand, represented the spiritual birth that makes us children of God, born under grace and free. Isaac was born of the Spirit just like the Christian. Just as Isaac brought joy to his parents, his name meant laughter, salvation brings joy to the believer and those around him. Isaac grew and was weaned. Salvation is just a beginning. After we are born, we must grow and lay aside childish things. Isaac was persecuted by Ishmael just as our old nature causes problems for us when our new nature trusts Christ. We Christians, like Isaac, are the children of promise by grace.
Paul went on to explain the relationship between the flesh and the Spirit. Living by the flesh leads to the slavery of sin; whereas living under grace leads to being children of God. Wiersbe reminds us that we cannot change the law or our old nature. We cannot compromise by following Christ and the law. We must get rid of legalism. The old nature loves legalism because it gives the old nature a chance to look good. The Judaizers had rules and standards to cover every area of life, making it easy for their followers to know who was "spiritual" and who was not. But what they were really doing was leading people into bondage.
Thankfully, the Christian is set free from the curse of the law and the control of the law. To live by grace, through faith, gives one a free and fulfilling Christian life (WW). As I consider this personally, I think it is harder to live by legalism. It creates a striving in life. There is no rest. It ruins relationships with others because we are always judging their actions and motives for the things they do. It causes comparisons which breed doubt or pride. Living by grace, with a focus on Christ alone, keeps our attitudes right. It helps us to see others with compassion and to offer the same forgiveness and grace we have been given. This way of living brings contentment, joy and greater satisfaction with life. How I pray I can live by grace!
-Information taken from:
The Power of the Gospel by Trudy Ries and Karen Scotti pp. 22-24
The NIV Study Bible, Zondervan
The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, The Complete New Testament by Warren Wiersbe pp. 564-570
This relationship changed, however, when Christ came. He redeemed those under the law and made them full heirs as sons, giving them the Holy Spirit. The NIV Study Bible adds that God takes us into His family as fully recognized sons and heirs. We are not little children but adult sons with all of the privileges of sonship. We do not have to wait to begin enjoying the spiritual riches we have in Christ (WW). This was true for both the Jews and the Gentiles who chose to believe in Christ. As believers, our new guardian is the Spirit of God (NIV).
In John 1:12 we read that to those who receive Christ and believe in His name, He gives the right to become children of God. The NIV Study Bible adds that membership in God's family is by grace alone - the gift of God. John 3:3 says that no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. And John 3:16 tells us that whoever believes in Christ will not perish but have eternal life. Wiersbe writes that God prepared the world for the arrival of His Son through political, social and spiritual means. Christ came to redeem those under the law. To redeem is "to set free by paying a price." The price was Christ's life on the cross.
As a believer in Christ, I have been adopted into God's family. I have the privilege of being able to call out to God as "Abba Father." The Greek for the phrase "Abba Father" is a vivid verb expressing deep emotion, often used of an inarticulate cry. In Matthew 27:50 it is used of Jesus' final cry. It is expressive of an especially close relationship to God (NIV). It is overwhelming to comprehend that God has accepted me as a member of His family. It makes me think of Big Daddy Weave's song "I'm Overwhelmed". The lyrics, "I know the power of your cross - forgiven and free - forever you'll be my God - And all that You've done is so overwhelming. And God I run into your arms - Unashamed because of mercy - I'm overwhelmed by You." Thank you, Abba!
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After describing the privileges and the personal relationship the Galatians had been given as sons, Paul then writes in verses 8-11 what they were willing to replace that with instead. They were choosing to follow weak and miserable principles. The NIV Study Bible explains that legalistic trust in rituals, in moral achievement, in law, in good works, or even in cold, dead orthodoxy indicates a relapse into second childhood on the part of those who should be knowing and enjoying the freedom of full-grown sons. The Galatian church was abandoning their liberty and going back into bondage (WW). The Galatians were also choosing to observe special days, months, seasons and years. The Pharisees did this in order to gain merit before God (NIV). Prior to salvation, the Galatians were ignorant sinners. They served false Gods and experienced pagan slavery. When they trusted Christ, however, they were delivered from superstitious slavery. (WW)
In verse 12, Paul pleads with the brothers to become like him because he had become like them. In Philippians 3:1-9 we read that Paul considered everything loss for the sake of Christ. His righteousness came through faith in Christ. Paul then asked the Galatians to reflect on their first meeting with him, when they first heard the gospel. In Galatians 4:13-15 we learn about the church's love and respect for Paul. Paul had come to them because of an illness. It may have been eye trouble, malaria or epilepsy (NIV). In spite of this, the Galatians did not treat him with contempt or scorn. They welcomed him as if he were Christ Himself. Their joy was so great at hearing the gospel, they would have given Paul their own eyes. The NIV Study Bible tells us that under the influence of the Judaizers they changed their attitude toward Paul. Under legalism they had lost their blessing and joy.
In verses 16-20 we see the difference between the motives of the Judaizers and of Paul in their relation to the Galatians. The Judaizers were zealous to win the Galatians, but not for their own good. They were trying to alienate them from Paul and make them zealous for the Judaizers. Warren Weirsbe writes that a false teacher will try to attract other men's converts to himself and not to the Word or Christ. The Judaizers were lying to the Galatians and trying to glorify themselves. However, a true servant of God will try to help others know Christ better and glorify Him. The Galatians had not lost the experience of salvation, but were losing the enjoyment of it and finding satisfaction in their works (WW).
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| Photo Credit |
Sarah's son, on the other hand, represented the spiritual birth that makes us children of God, born under grace and free. Isaac was born of the Spirit just like the Christian. Just as Isaac brought joy to his parents, his name meant laughter, salvation brings joy to the believer and those around him. Isaac grew and was weaned. Salvation is just a beginning. After we are born, we must grow and lay aside childish things. Isaac was persecuted by Ishmael just as our old nature causes problems for us when our new nature trusts Christ. We Christians, like Isaac, are the children of promise by grace.
Paul went on to explain the relationship between the flesh and the Spirit. Living by the flesh leads to the slavery of sin; whereas living under grace leads to being children of God. Wiersbe reminds us that we cannot change the law or our old nature. We cannot compromise by following Christ and the law. We must get rid of legalism. The old nature loves legalism because it gives the old nature a chance to look good. The Judaizers had rules and standards to cover every area of life, making it easy for their followers to know who was "spiritual" and who was not. But what they were really doing was leading people into bondage.
Thankfully, the Christian is set free from the curse of the law and the control of the law. To live by grace, through faith, gives one a free and fulfilling Christian life (WW). As I consider this personally, I think it is harder to live by legalism. It creates a striving in life. There is no rest. It ruins relationships with others because we are always judging their actions and motives for the things they do. It causes comparisons which breed doubt or pride. Living by grace, with a focus on Christ alone, keeps our attitudes right. It helps us to see others with compassion and to offer the same forgiveness and grace we have been given. This way of living brings contentment, joy and greater satisfaction with life. How I pray I can live by grace!
-Information taken from:
The Power of the Gospel by Trudy Ries and Karen Scotti pp. 22-24
The NIV Study Bible, Zondervan
The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, The Complete New Testament by Warren Wiersbe pp. 564-570
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