The Gospel According to Abraham (in Galatians) - Overview Part 4

We are looking at Paul's letter to the Galatian Churches and seeing how he understood the Gospel. We have looked at Galatians 1, Galatians 2, and Galatians 3.   so far.  Today we note the Gospel as revealed in Galatians 4.

“So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.” (Galatians 4:7, NIV).

In this chapter, Paul also gives us insight to how he understands the Gospel.  For example he writes that:

• Prior to receiving the Gospel people are enslaved, not only to sin, but to the Law (v8).
• The Gospel is not just coming to know God, but in fact is God also knowing us (v9);
• The Gospel is about God sending Jesus to redeem childish slaves of Judaism from out of the Law (v4);
• The Gospel creates free sons and heirs (vv5-6);
• The children produced by the Gospel (Jerusalem) are free (vv26, 31); and
• The Gospel produces children of promise instead of children of the flesh (v28).

In Galatians 4:19 (NIV) writes, "My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you."  There is a sense where the Gospel brings slaves to full sons; children to full maturity.   To trust Christ and then wish to revert back to the works of the Law to gain acceptance with God is to return to your childhood.  Sonship bring the inheritance.  Acceptance is already gained. "In doing so, he aims to help the Galatians understand that reliance on the law is not a sign of maturity, but immaturity. In contrast to the law, faith in Christ produces children who become heirs of God’s promises." [1]

Father, so much of this imagery is foreign to us: slaves versus sons; Sinai versus Jerusalem; Ishmael versus Isaac.  But this we know that the anti-Gospel, the idea that I can keep the Law to somehow turn Your head and cause Your acceptance of me is a foolish idea. The Gospel of free grace is a word of promise.  Simply by believing You promise to bring us into Your family as fully developed heirs.  The Gospel is received by believing the promise and the Gospel has opened a door to a million promises.  None of these things can be accomplished by works of the flesh.  None of these things can be accomplished by ritual -- only by the Righteous One.  Lord, by Your grace grant a maturation of our hearts that we truly can appreciate the freedom and joy of adoption into Your family.  And Father may my life this day represent one who lives by the promises of the Gospel.  Amen!



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1. Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Ga 4:1–7). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.