Most people in prison would rather be
free; once they are free, they wouldn't want to return. Anyone who prefers
prison over freedom is, in the words of Forrest Gump, "stupid." Paul
faced a similar issue with the Galatian church. He asked them why they would go
back to living like captives when they had already experienced freedom in
Christ. Unfortunately, many Christians today also live like captives instead of
experiencing the freedom that comes with a relationship with Christ.
We will study a passage, Galatians
4:21-31, that will help us live free.
The passage comprises three sections:
historical, allegorical, and personal. The first observation that will help us
live free at last is found in verse twenty-one. We learn in that verse that
freedom in Christ is hindered by misunderstanding grace.
Our freedom in Christ is hindered by misunderstanding grace.
Galatians 4:21
ESV
Tell
me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law?
Verse 21 of Paul's writing is directed
at those who wish to follow the law. Why would you want to go back to a life of
sin and slavery when you have the freedom to live a better life? The issue here
is Christians who have turned their religion into a legalistic system.
Paul addresses the problem of living in
bondage instead of freedom, which is still relevant today. One common
misunderstanding of grace is the way you reach God.
Misunderstanding the way to God
Some professing Christians today
believe that good works alone can earn them a place in heaven. Some
denominations teach that salvation requires both faith in Jesus and good works.
Those who believe in Jesus plus their works will not have an eternal destiny
with Christ. Salvation comes solely from God's grace, not our efforts, so no
one can boast.
A legalistic approach to salvation
means that we believe our actions determine our place in heaven. By contrast,
the concept of salvation by grace alone means that our faith in Jesus and what
he has done determines our eternal destiny.
There is a misunderstanding among some
true Christians regarding grace in one's relationship or walk with God.
Misunderstanding the Walk with God
Some Christians believe following
rules, traditions, and ceremonies is necessary for their relationship with the
Lord. However, this legalistic approach misunderstands the work of grace in our
lives. Instead, we are made righteous through what Christ has done for us. We
must work out our salvation, understanding that God works in us to do what is
good and right.
Our appearance or activities do not
determine our relationship with God. Short hair, long dresses, dancing, card
games, or watching TV does not affect our intimacy with God. Instead, His
Spirit empowers our walk with God and works within us.
The passage teaches that freedom in
Christ can be better understood by examining historical events.
Our Freedom in Christ can be Illustrated by Understanding
History (22-27)
In verses twenty-two and twenty-three,
Paul is going to appeal to history. In doing so, Paul is taking on the enemy,
the false teachers, the Judaizers, on their turf. Paul argues that faith in
Christ makes a person a true descendant of Abraham. As Paul argues from the
turf of his enemies, he begins with a historical event.
Historical Event
Galatians 4:22–23 ESV
For
it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free
woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son
of the free woman was born through promise.
What Paul is referencing is found in
Genesis chapters fifteen through twenty-one.
There are four characters that we need
to identify. Abraham's two sons are Ishmael and Isaac. The two mothers are
Hagar and Sarah. Ishmael is the son born to Hagar. Isaac is the Son born to
Sarah.
God made a promise to Abraham before
either of them was born. At the time, Sarah was unable to conceive a child.
However, God assured Abraham that he would have a son who would become his
heir. God made a covenant with Abraham to confirm this promise, which is
recorded in Genesis chapter fifteen.
After the covenant was made, Sarah
expressed her distress to Abraham about her inability to conceive. By the
cultural norms of the time, she suggested that Abraham have sexual relations
with her servant, Hagar. Abraham agreed, and Hagar became pregnant, giving
birth to Ishmael.
Sarah gave birth to Isaac when she was
ninety, and Abraham was about a hundred.
Ishmael was born naturally, which means
his birth was according to the flesh. However, the more profound implication of
his birth according to the flesh is that Abraham and Sarah took matters into
their own hands instead of waiting for God to fulfill His promise. This
reflects their lack of faith and walking in the flesh. On the other hand,
Isaac's birth was a supernatural event, as it was based on the promise of God.
After discussing the historical event,
Paul plans to use it figuratively to make a point in his current argument.
Figurative Explanation
Galatians 4:24–27 ESV
Now
this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is
from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is
Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in
slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our
mother. For it is written,
“Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear;
break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor!
For the children of the desolate one will be more
than those of the one who has a husband.”
The two women mentioned in this passage
represent two covenants. If you are unsure what covenants are referred to, look
to your Bible. The Bible is divided into two sections: the Old Testament and
the New Testament, also known as the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. Hagar
represents the Covenant of Law, which is associated with bondage. Sarah
represents the Covenant of Grace, which is associated with freedom.
In a figurative sense, Hagar represents
the earthly Jerusalem, while Sarah represents the heavenly Jerusalem. This
illustrates a profound spiritual truth that there are two kinds of people in
the world: those who are the spiritual descendants of Isaac and descend from
Ishmael—those who are born to Sarah and those who are born to Hagar.
People descended from Hagar believe
they can earn God's acceptance by following the law and living a righteous
life. They may have a strong faith and adhere to traditional religious
practices, but they are bound like slaves under the legacy of Ishmael.
To be a part of the Jerusalem above,
one must be born from above, also known as being born-again. According to the
third chapter of John's gospel, Jesus discussed this concept with Nicodemus.
Those who have been born from above have Sarah as their mother.
The old covenant was based on Law, that
is, Hagar. The new covenant is based on Grace, that is, Sarah.
So, at issue is lineage. Are you the
lineage of Ishmael? Or are you the lineage of Isaac? Paul is speaking
spiritually here.
In verse twenty-seven, Paul quotes from
Isaiah
54:1
Isaiah 54:1
ESV
“Sing,
O barren one, who did not bear;
break forth into singing and cry aloud,
you who have not been in labor!
For the children of the desolate one will be more
than the children of her who is married,” says the Lord.
This passage was given to the
Israelites as a source of encouragement. It would provide them with hope even
though God had planned to exile them to Babylonian captivity. During their
captivity, they would be spiritually barren, but God promised to make them
fruitful again and bring them back to Jerusalem.
God intervened with Sarah, and God
intervened with the Jews and brought them back from captivity.
Now, the significance of Isaiah
54:1 to Paul's argument is found in its fulfillment.
The promise that was given to Abraham
and subsequently to the Jews is still being fulfilled today. While Isaiah's
prophecy was partially fulfilled when God restored the Jews from Babylonian
captivity, its ultimate fulfillment is spiritual and ongoing through the
Christian Church. Whenever people accept Christ, they become "descendants
of Abraham," who have returned from captivity.
"Who is your mother?" This
question is significant because your mother determines your status. If your
mother is Hagar, then you are a slave, bound by the law, and spiritually dead.
However, if your mother is Sarah, then you are born of the Spirit and are a
child of God who is free and alive. Paul uses this historical account to
emphasize this point.
The final thing we need to notice is
practical and personal.
Freedom in Christ can be experienced by keeping in step with
the Spirit.
Verses 28 to 31 of the passage are
personal and urge the Christian to take action based on the truth that Paul has
communicated earlier. These verses provide principles to help believers walk in
freedom and avoid bondage. The first principle is to remember one's"
identity.
Remember your identity
Galatians 4:28
ESV
Now
you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.
If you have been born again, you are
considered children of promise, sons of Abraham, and children of God. You have
been set free. It is essential always to remember who you indeed are and act
accordingly.
However, it is also crucial to
acknowledge the challenges you will encounter in maintaining your freedom and
walking in it effectively.
Acknowledge the challenges you will encounter in maintaining
your freedom and walking in it effectively.
Galatians 4:29
ESV
But
just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who
was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.
Paul refers to Genesis chapter 21,
where Ishmael mocks Isaac. This verse has two implications. Firstly, the true
church, born of the Spirit, will be persecuted.
The second implication of freedom is
that we will struggle with our flesh. Many Christians fall back into bondage
because they try to live the Christian life in the flesh rather than walking
with the Spirit. In chapter five, Paul will explain this in more detail. The
old nature and the new nature of a Christian are at odds, resulting in a
struggle that takes place every day. This struggle can lead us into bondage or
give us victory and freedom. Also, to achieve freedom, we need to remove any
hindrances.
Remove any hindrances
Galatians 4:30
ESV
But
what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son
of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.”
To walk freedom, we must put to death
the deeds of the body and walk by the Spirit. Then we won't be carrying out the
deeds of the flesh.
Finally, we must resolve to stand firm
in freedom.
Resolve to stand firm in freedom
Galatians 4:31
ESV
So,
brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.
Stand firm in Freedom! Christ set us
free, and we are free; therefore, let's live free and not like captives.
If you have put your faith in Christ,
then you have been born again by God's grace. You are a descendant of Abraham
and Isaac and a child of the promise. You are free! Therefore, keep in step
with God's Spirit and walk in freedom.
For some, a crucial question needs to
be asked: Are you of Ishmael or Isaac? To be considered Isaac, you must be born
again from above. To be born again from above means to realize that you are a
sinner and slave in need of a Savior. Look to the saving work of Christ for
salvation. Only then will you be free at last.
