Do You Want To Be Free?

We have spent weeks now studying Galatians. Paul has been direct and in some ways harsh toward the teaching that we are saved and or sanctified by working for it.

He has made it clear every way possible that our salvation and sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ’s finished work.

He has also been very stern against the false teachers who not only are leading the Galatians astray by telling them they must be Jewish in order to be Christian, but they are also running Paul down (as we saw last Sunday in the earlier verses of chapter 4)

Paul now uses one last illustration to reason with the Galatians that 1. They should not want to be under the law. and 2. They are free in Christ.

Galatians 4:21–31 HCSB

21 Tell me, those of you who want to be under the law, don’t you hear the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and the other by a free woman. 23 But the one by the slave was born according to the impulse of the flesh, while the one by the free woman was born as the result of a promise. 24 These things are illustrations, for the women represent the two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery—this is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written: Rejoice, childless woman, who does not give birth. Burst into song and shout, you who are not in labor, for the children of the desolate are many, more numerous than those of the woman who has a husband. 28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as then the child born according to the flesh persecuted the one born according to the Spirit, so also now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? Drive out the slave and her son, for the son of the slave will never be a coheir with the son of the free woman. 31 Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.

Claim: They haven’t fully considered the law

Galatians 4:21 HCSB

21 Tell me, those of you who want to be under the law, don’t you hear the law?

I love these “word on the street” interviews where they interview people who have no clue. It may be someone at a protest who doesn’t have a rational explanation for what they protest, or when one politicians statements are read as though they belong to someone else. The reactions of the clueless are hilarious.

Are you sure you want to be under the law? Do you even understand the law? Do you know what that would mean?

The law is impossible to keep.

The law is a good guardian, but a horrible savior.

The law reveals sinfulness, but cannot provide salvation.

The law reveals bondage to sin, and only Jesus, the promised Messiah, can priced salvation.

THEY SIMPLY DONT UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY ARE SAYING THEY WANT.

Illustration: They needed to consider the sons of Abraham

Galatians 4:22–23 HCSB

22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and the other by a free woman. 23 But the one by the slave was born according to the impulse of the flesh, while the one by the free woman was born as the result of a promise.

Ishmael- Born by impulse of the flesh by slavery.

Isaac- Born as a result of promise by in freedom.

Paul will use these two historical events to illustrate law/promise flesh/Spirit trying/trusting etc

Ishmael represents man’s way of doing things in the flesh, and Isaac represents God’s way of doing things according to promise.

Let’s see how that plays out.

Analogy: They needed to let Grace Reign

Galatians 4:24–31 HCSB

24 These things are illustrations, for the women represent the two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery—this is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written: Rejoice, childless woman, who does not give birth. Burst into song and shout, you who are not in labor, for the children of the desolate are many, more numerous than those of the woman who has a husband. 28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as then the child born according to the flesh persecuted the one born according to the Spirit, so also now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? Drive out the slave and her son, for the son of the slave will never be a coheir with the son of the free woman. 31 Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.

Paul does something here, inspired by the Holy Spirit, to make analogy between a historical event and some spiritual truths.

This SHOULD NOT BE OUR NORMAL approach to interpreting Scripture.

If we are not careful, we can be confused and confuse others.

Allegory: This is a picture of. Paul Could do that because the Holy Spirit led him to. We should not.

5 smooth stones representing Bible Study, Prayer, Fellowship, Worship etc.

Those things are important but not the purpose.

So In these verses Paul makes some contrasts.

There is bondage in trying to keep the law Verse 25 law is represented by Hagar. Mt Sinai where the law was given and Jerusalem of Paul’s Day. The “Mother” of these legalistic Jews. Anyone trying to be righteous by keeping the commandments would be like Hagar’s Son, the child of slavery.

There is freedom in Christ. Verse 26. (The Heavenly Jerusalem is a place of Freedom)Freedom from working trying to gain God’s favor. Absolute freedom in knowing that God accepts us based on Jesus.

There is joy in Christ. Verse 27 quoting Isaiah. Three words are commands in this verse (Rejoice, burst into song, shout). This quote is a promise that God will turn things around for a barren and make her more fruitful than the fruitful woman. God has a way of turning things around and bringing joy. Remember that Isaacs name means laughter.

There is a promise in Christ. Verse 28. Again all that we have with God is found in the promises of Christ not in the work of man.

There is a conflict between faith and flesh. Verse 29 The conflict between Ishmael and Isaac is 4000 years old and shows no signs of letting up. They are incompatible. Law and Grace are at war. and they are incompatible.

There is a need to let grace triumph. Be who you are meant to be. Verse 30-31