"Slavery or Sonship?"Galatians 4:1
What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate.

Thoughts for Today:In our passage today, Paul provides a human illustration to demonstrate the spiritual immaturity people experience when they are under the Law. He says that being under the Law is really no different than being a slave, versus faith in Christ, which brings us into a position as full-grown sons and daughters.

Unfortunately, many Christians have never graduated into the sonship that Paul will describe. They still serve God with an Old Testament Law type of mentality. Unfortunately, God is not pleased by any efforts to keep the Law. Why? Because it is by nature oppressive -- in the same way as slavery. The truth is that sonship has been provided to all believers freely through Jesus. (Ephesians 4:5: "He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.")

Questions to Ponder:Are you underage and immature? Have you grown to full maturity? How do you think self-imposed rules and regulations have impacted your spiritual walk? Have you been trying to keep your own set of laws? What happens if you fail to keep one?

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"Introduction to Galatians 4"Galatians 4
Introduction

Thoughts for Today:When I first met my wife Sherry and we began to date -- no one needed to tell me to buy her flowers, hold her hand as we walked on the beach, or put my arm around her on a chilly evening. These things just happened naturally. Why? Because we were (and still are) in love. The Lord wants to have a similar type of "natural love" in His relationship with us. It is His intention and desire that we be free of obligation so we can respond to that freedom with natural love.

Think about it: If there were rules and regulations that governed how we were to demonstrate affection and relate to our spouses, how long would it take before the natural love response left the relationship? Not very long. In our walk with Christ, legalism will also drain us of our passion for Him.

I've talked to many Christians who have lost their joy -- they feel dry and beaten down. Often the reason is because they have developed a form of their own legalism over the years. They have forced upon their spiritual lives a set of rules that are based on structure, commitment, and vows. And then when they can't keep them, they feel like failures -- empty and drained.

The same thing was happening in Galatia. New teachers (Judaizers) had come into the region and said, "To be truly spiritual you must follow rules and regulations. You must be circumcised and you must follow Jewish traditions." Paul has been saying to the Galatians, "Don't let this happen. Don't depart from what you were taught. Stand strong in your liberty. And if you do, you will find in your relationship with the Lord an even greater energy, generosity and joy than you thought possible."

At the end of the previous chapter, Paul explained the Law was like a Guardian whose primary job was to teach us three things: first, we are all sinners; second, we can't save ourselves so we desperately need a Savior; and third, to bring us to Christ. However, after faith has come (Jesus), there is no longer any need for the Guardian. Why? Because the relationship we had with God based on the Law has been exchanged for a relationship founded in sacrificial love.

Questions to Ponder:Is your relationship with the Lord based on a "natural love"? Or do you worship, study, or otherwise pursue Him based on obligation? How would you describe your relationship with Him -- peaceful, joyful and energetic, or draining, dry and unfulfilled? What needs to change?

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"The Beneficiaries of His Goodness"Galatians 3:29
If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Thoughts for Today:In Galatians 3:16, Paul told us that God's promises were made to Abraham and his seed singularly -- Jesus: "The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say 'and to seeds,' meaning many people, but 'and to your seed,' meaning one person, who is Christ."

In our passage today, Paul goes on to say that we if we belong to Christ then we are Abraham's seed and "heirs according to the promise". But there is also something more: We are guaranteed the covenant will not be voided by our poor performance. Why? Because the promise was made to Christ, not to us. The point is that if we belong to Jesus, then we are the beneficiaries of His goodness and therefore not reliant upon our own.

We are not of Moses, not of the Law, and thankfully our righteousness is not based on our own performance. If we are in Christ, then we are the seed of Abraham and inheritors through Christ of the promise.

Questions to Ponder:Would you really want to go back to rules and regulations to try and prove your worthiness? God doesn't see us in our sin -- He only sees Jesus. Isn't that great news?

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"All Believers Have Been Made One"Galatians 3:26-28
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Thoughts for Today:One of the great joys of a new believer is when they fully understand that all children of God have an equal standing before Him. It isn't how long a person has been a Christian, whether a fifth generation, or the first in their family to believe. Nationality is equally unimportant. The only thing that matters is being "in Christ Jesus".

In Ephesians 2:14-16, Paul wrote: "For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.") Through our union with Jesus, all believers have been made one. We are the body of Christ, and are joined together by faith in Him.

Questions to Ponder:We are all sinners saved by grace. Our God doesn't hear men more than women, those living in America more than other countries, or people with greater wealth or education more than those less fortunate. Will you go to Him now? None of us is more worthy. His love extends to all -- equally.

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"Because it is the Best Way to Live"Galatians 3:25
Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

Thoughts for Today:The Old Testament prophet Habakkuk wrote (Habakkuk 2:4): "See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright—but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness." The purpose of God, even in the Old Testament, was to find an "obedient faith" in His children. Not the legalistic type of rule keeping which was their interpretation of the Law.

For example, from the time my daughter Amanda was young, she has always been taught to look both ways before crossing the street. Why? For her own safety. However, until she became mature enough to be responsible on her own, any disobedience from this rule was met with punishment. As a young child, she learned to obey -- not just to keep from getting hit by a car -- but also to avoid the punishment. Now as a twelve year old, hopefully Amanda has now made this rule a part of her own reasoning.

In somewhat the same way, the Old Testament laws provided standards that were enforced with punishment. Many people incorrectly looked at those punishments as God's hatred of sin, rather than His love for His children. However, the reason the Lord required punishment was for the benefit of His people. Just like our rule with Amanda regarding looking both ways before crossing the street -- the purpose is to keep her safe. So now that Jesus has come, we may receive punishment as a consequence of our sin, but the Father is not punishing us for our sin. In other words, we should live righteously because it is the best way to live (we won't get hit by a car), not in the fear of punishment if we don't.

Questions to Ponder:After the coming of Jesus, the Law had served its purpose. We now are able to relate to God based on the foundation of what Christ has done for us and our faith in Him. However, this does not mean that we will always do what is right. In which areas is the Lord speaking to you now? Does your behavior need correction?

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"A Guardian for a Time"Galatians 3:23-24
Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.

Thoughts for Today:In Roman or Greek households, the word PAIDAGOGOS (translated as "guardian" in verse 24), refers to a slave whose job it was to supervise a child’s life and morals until maturity. According to Vine's Expository Dictionary: "The idea is that of training and discipline, not of impartation of knowledge. The PAIDAGOGOS was not the instructor of the child; he exercised a general supervision over him and was responsible for his moral and physical well-being." The Law was working in the same way -- its job was to make us behave until the coming of Christ.

One of the great purposes of the Law was to convict Israel of sin and make it conscious of its need for salvation. Instead, it used the Law as a source of great national pride. Israel took the Law's holy commandments and expanded some parts, contradicted others, and generally perverted it in numerous ways. Jesus said in Mark 7:13: "Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that." If Israel had properly responded to the Law, they would have realized and confessed their inability to keep it -- and as a result, they would have been fully prepared, welcomed and embraced the coming of Jesus.

Questions to Ponder:Many Christians use rules to regulate their behavior. However, the problem arises when we place our faith in the rules rather than in the One who is faithful. Where have you placed your faith and trust -- in His righteousness or your own?

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​"Under the Control of Sin"Galatians 3:22
But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

Thoughts for Today:In Romans 7:11, Paul provides additional insight on this topic: "For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death." Humanity's rebellious nature will cause us to want what we can't have. How so? Think about it. When people see a sign that says, "Wet Paint, Don't Touch," what do they have the urge to do? Touch it. A sign on a door says, "Authorized Personnel Only." What are we inclined to do? That's right, open it and see what's behind the door. When people are prohibited from doing something they were only mildly interested in before, the prohibition itself will produce an almost insatiable desire for the very thing prohibited.

Sin was already at work in humanity, but when the Law came condemning the actions, sin came alive (compared to what it was before). Romans 7:7-8: "I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, 'You shall not covet.' But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead."

In our passage today, Paul is basically saying that all of humanity is imprisoned and subject to sin and its bondage. We are condemned because of sin, yet God has also provided a way out. How? Our deliverance from sin and righteousness comes not by observance of the Law, but through faith in Jesus Christ. (Romans 7:24-25: "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!")

Questions to Ponder:In what areas of your life do you still feel bound by sin? Are you working your own way out -- trying to make up for past misdeeds, or allowing grace to do its work? God has provided Jesus as our Deliverer. Will you accept His grace? What difference will it make if you do?

​"Not a Combination of the Two"Galatians 3:17-18
What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

Thoughts for Today:Paul reminds me of a very skilled attorney who is now winding his way through mountains of evidence to draw a conclusion. He's saying, "If a man's covenant cannot be added to nor taken away from, then the promise of God to save humanity through faith in Christ Jesus would not have been affected by the introduction of the Law which was a subsequent event." (The Law was introduced 430 years after God's promise to Abraham.) The Living Bible paraphrases verse 18 as follows: "If obeying those laws could save us, then it is obvious that this would be a different way of gaining God’s favor than Abraham’s way, for he simply accepted God’s promise."

The Law and the promise are polar opposites. The Law requires effort by us. It is a work and therefore its benefit is payment or compensation for what's been done. On the other hand, the promise is a gift/inheritance. It is received by grace and therefore, by definition is not something earned or deserved. So we are saved either by works (which must be perfect in order to meet God's holiness standard), or by grace, but not a combination of the two.

Questions to Ponder:The mistake many Christians make is to add works to grace. It can be confusing to understand the difference between what we do in response to Christ's sacrifice, and what is done to earn our position in the Kingdom. One is love the other obligation. Which drives your service?

"The Ultimate Beneficiaries"Galatians 3:15-16
Brothers and sisters, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ.

Thoughts for Today:In our passage today, Paul says, "Let me use an example you're familiar with -- if two parties execute a contract, neither one can unilaterally add or take away from its terms."

The Greek word for "seed" is SPERMA, which according to Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon means "the grain or kernel which contains within itself the germ of the future plant". In most people's minds, the term "seed of Abraham" is synonymous with the Jewish people. However, the promises were not made to seeds (plural), but to the one seed (singular). The one seed is Jesus Christ.

The contract or promise God made with Abraham to bless the world through his seed was directed to Jesus, not the Jews as a people group or a nation. And they couldn't subsequently add themselves into the contract. Therefore, the promises made to Abraham personally come to all of us who are saved by our faith in Christ Jesus. Why? Because Jesus is the spoken "seed of Abraham", and through Him all believers (whether Jews or Gentiles) become the ultimate beneficiaries of the promise.

Questions to Ponder:Paul is spending a lot of time discussing faith from a number of different perspectives. How is faith expressed in your life? What are some of your acts of faith? How will you demonstrate it today?

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"Payment of the Penalty"Galatians 3:13-14
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Thoughts for Today:The Greek word used for "redeemed" is EXAGORAZO, which means "by payment of a price to recover from the power of another, to ransom, buy off" (according to Strong's Lexicon). This would equate to going into the slave market and paying the price required for a person's release from the bondage of slavery. In the context of our passage today, Paul is saying that Christ removed us from the principle of the Law that made us a slave by becoming payment for us. Christ's death paid in full the justice the Law demanded.

Paul also quotes Deuteronomy 21:23: "You must not leave the body hanging on the pole overnight. Be sure to bury it that same day, because anyone who is hung on a pole is under God’s curse. You must not desecrate the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance." The point Paul makes is that justice was satisfied when Jesus died for the Law humanity broke. He paid the prescribed penalty and bore the curse so there is no condemnation waiting for us. (Romans 8:1: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.").

In John 5:39, Jesus said: "You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life." The Jews thought the Law was eternal life, but Jesus replaced the Law by becoming its full expression. (Hebrews 1:3: "The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.") And the Law only could be satisfied in Christ Jesus by His perfect obedience and the perfection of His sacrifice.

Questions to Ponder:What Jesus did was so wonderful, so incredible -- how could we think that anything we do by our own effort could ever add to the work He accomplished for our benefit?

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