Freedom and Sovereignty

Introduction

How do we, or should we, understand God’s sovereignty?

Some people take a very low few of God’s sovereignty. They see freewill as something possessed by both God and men and potentially in conflict with each other’s plans and choices.

Some people take a very high view of God’s sovereignty. They see freewill as something possessed by God alone. Only His plans and choices count and mankind is living out a script He wrote.

There is a middle ground—probably a fair bit of it—that sees both God and mankind possessing freewill and the ability to make plans and choices that are legitimate. However, in the middle ground, is the remembrance of God’s omniscience (He knows everything, including what our plans and choices will be) which enables Him to make plans and choices that are not frustrated by our plans and choices.

Our understanding of God’s sovereignty impacts much of our Theology and Worldview, so it is something worth thinking about.

What does that have to do with Galatians?

Paul has been making a series of arguments to the Galatians about why they should not walk away from liberty in Christ and into bondage under the Law of Moses (Judaism). These so called Judaizers were having success in wooing people away and Paul wanted them to think their decision through more carefully than they had.

The argument he makes to close out chapter 4 might be called an allegorical argument drawn from Israel’s history. But it is also an argument that displays God’s sovereignty. Not only did Abraham’s choices nor frustrate God’s plan, God—through Paul’s writing—was able to use those choices as a lesson about His plan.

Transition

To be clear, the point of Paul’s words were to help the Galatians—and us—see freedom in Christ as the point of God’s plan. Seeing God’s sovereignty on display is secondary, but no less striking.

Illumination

A Paternal Concern, Galatians 4:19-20

Galatians 4:19–20 NKJV

19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, 20 I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.

A Biblical Reminder, Galatians 4:21-23

Galatians 4:21–23 NKJV

21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise,

Paul reaches back to Genesis 16 and Sarai’s plan to produce Abram’s heir for him. The plan was to basically have Hagar be the surrogate mother.

A Consistent Application, Galatians 4:24-27

Galatians 4:24–27 NKJV

24 which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar—25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children—26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. 27 For it is written: “Rejoice, O barren, You who do not bear! Break forth and shout, You who are not in labor! For the desolate has many more children Than she who has a husband.”

Was the story that Paul cited included for this purpose? No. Paul models how we can learn things from scripture that are consistent with it but not intended by it. We call these applications. Kind of like seeing Paul’s argument for liberty as a case for God’s sovereignty.

Paul highlights that there were two sons just like there are two covenants and the two sons symbolize the two covenants

Ishmael was born first and was the son of a bondwoman. Ishmael typifies the Law which only brings bondage leading to condemnation.

Isaac was born after and was the son of promise. Isaac typifies the Promise of Christ which brings freedom flowing from forgiveness.

A Definitive Conclusion, Galatians 4:28-31

Galatians 4:28–31 NKJV

28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. 29 But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. 30 Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.

Paul is not shy about what decision the Galatians should reach.

We are children of Promise

We are harassed by children of condemnation

We should reject those who would condemn us and dispose of their guilt

We should embrace the freedom that we have as children of promise

Conclusion

That’s a pretty good conclusion. Any time you or I find ourselves living under the weight of guilt, we are sliding back into legalism. Too many people live under the weight of guilt over past deeds. It is good to feel bad when we do bad, but the feeling is designed to lead us to repentance which then frees us from guilt. We—the collective we—wallow in guilt unwilling to confess our failing or unable to move on from them and our freedom is reduced or removed as a result. We should reject this kind of thinking and embrace both the freedom that God gives and the mechanism He provided to ensure we would not lose it.