When The Law Is Finished With You -- It Slaughters You.

So as Paul concludes his theological argument he affirms: “Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.” (Galatians 4:31, NIV).

Now, he moves into that topic in Galatians 5:1 (NIV) with this exhortation:

¹ It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

The imperative verb is στήκω [pronounced stay·ko] meaning to: "to stand firm; to persevere, to persist, etc." [1] Herein we see the purpose of Christ saving us: to set us free and therefore the command to stand in that freedom is a natural appeal on the basis of that purpose.  "Paul commands the Galatians to keep the agitators from turning them from freedom to slavery—from faith in Christ to life under the law." [2]

"Since the Jews of Paul's time spoke of "taking the yoke of the law upon oneself," it is likely that Paul is referring to such an expression here. To the Jews the taking up of the law's yoke was good; indeed, it was the essence of religion. To Paul it was assuming the yoke of slavery." [3]  "If ye will be made free (say they) from sin and death, and obtain righteousness and life, then fulfil the law, be circumcised, observe days, months, times, and years, offer sacrifices, and do such other like things; then shall this obedience of the law justify and save you . . . This liberty then is not given unto us by the law, or for our righteousness, but freely for Christ’s sake: which thing Paul here witnesseth and plainly declareth throughout his whole Epistle." [4] 

Then Luther gives a great illustration:

"For, like as oxen drawing in the yoke with great toil, receive nothing thereby but forage and pasture, and when they be able to draw the yoke no more, are appointed to the slaughter; even so, they that seek righteousness by the law, are captives and oppressed with the yoke of bondage, that is to say, with the law; and when they have tired themselves a long time in the works of the law with great and grievous toil, in the end this is their reward, that they are miserable and perpetual servants." [4] 

So we take a tenacious, resolute stand against any who would draw us back into slavery to the Law, bondage to self-effort.  We fight against who would make our performance meritorious in salvation.  We have been freed from such obligation by the precious and efficient blood of Christ.

Free from the law O happy condition
Jesus hath bled and there is remission
Cursed by the law and bruised by the fall
Grace hath redeemed us once for all [5]

Father, this is war.  The Enemy has come in to spy our our freedom; and then mounted a subversive, covert assault on our soul. Clothed with the garb of religion and good works, he has summoned us again to lay our necks under the instrument of bondage and despair.  But Oh thanks be to You, Father, for the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.  He came to set us free. Condemnation cannot hold us.  Guilt cannot hold us.  Death cannot hold us.  For if the Son has set us free we are free indeed.  Grant to us the discernment to be able to spot the subtle movements of the Enemy attempting to trap us again into this life of incarceration.  Grant grace to withstand the subtle approaches that he uses.  Grant us and You have commanded us the perseverance to stand.  For Christ sake and our freedom, I pray.

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1. Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

2. Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Ga 5:1). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

3. Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:Galatians/Exposition of Galatians/III. The Call to Godly Living (5:1-6:10)/A. Summary and Transition (5:1), Book Version: 4.0.2

4. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 5:1). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

5. Philip Paul Bliss, Free From the Law, © Words: Public Domain, Music: Public Domain

 

Proclaim Liberty!

Galatians 4:28–31 (NIV),

²⁸ Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. ²⁹ At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. ³⁰ But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.” ³¹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.

So the Apostle brings this conclusion: If you are a Christian you are like Isaac.  You are a child of promise.  You are the believing seed that is identified "and your children after you." But here's the downside: "Whosoever are born and live in Christ, and rejoice in this birth and inheritance of God, have Ishmael for their enemy and their persecutor . . . But God overthroweth their judgment and pronounceth this sentence against them, that because they are the children of the bondwoman, and persecute the children of the free-woman, therefore they shall be cast out of the house, and shall have no inheritance with the children of promise; to whom only the inheritance belongeth because they are the children of the freewoman." [1]  Legalists, slaves hate people who are free, but will have no part of the blessing.

This also implies "that those who teach the false gospel of justification by works should not be allowed to remain and teach in a church that follows Christ." [2]  "Christendom is critically infected with the deadly doctrine of the legalists. The crying need of the hour is for uncompromising men to proclaim the liberty in Christ which is the birthright of every believer." [3]

This then will lead us to the next topic that Paul addresses:“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1, NIV)

 

Father this is decisive language of the Apostle.  It is not politically correct.  It will hurt people's feelings.  Christians are not to dance with those who do not believe in justification by faith in Christ and Christ alone.  Stop the music.  We are to cast them out.  We are to ἐκβάλλω [ek·bal·lo] -- deprive them of power and influence -- expel them -- with force but not violence. I live in a time Father where this is not accepted.  We are to tolerate people.  As long as they believe in Jesus.  This is the kind of language that gets people into trouble Father.  Will I have the courage of these biblical convictions to be strong in this day of tolerance?  Grant Father, even as that ancient brother prayed, grant me the ability to do Your will.  May the chips fall where they may.  Fight for freedom.  Freedom which Your Son and my Savior bled and died for. There is no compromise for the fame and glory of Christ and the ultimate freedom and joy of His Church.  Amen .

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1. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 4:29). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

2. Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (2253). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

3. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2395). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

To Obey Is To Believe. To Believe Is To Obey

"This is the true meaning of becoming a Christian, even to be justified by faith in Jesus Christ, and not by the works of the law." [1]

“We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.” (Galatians 2:15–16, NIV)

This affirmation of the Gospel does not reject good works, but it places them in the proper order and sequence.  Luther tells a parable:

"This bridegroom must be alone with the bride in his secret chamber, all the servants and family being put apart. But afterwards,. when he openeth the door and cometh forth, then let the servants and handmaidens return, to fulfil their ministry. There let charity do her office, and let good works be done." [1]

Now Paul writes,"So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus" that we might be saved.  The ESV translates this “. . . so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ . . . ”  The Greek text is καὶ ἡμεῖς εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν ἐπιστεύσαμεν; or also we on Christ Jesus believed.   This is the essence of Christianity.  “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”” (John 3:14–15, NIV)

The question raised by this text is, "What does it mean to believe?" John writes in the 3rd chapter of his Gospel:   ³⁶ Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

True to Hebrew literature, John’s Gospel is structured a lot in parallelisms. This helps us understand his meaning; and more importantly, the meaning of the Holy Spirit.  Note the parallel ideas:

(+) Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life;

(-) Whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life . . ..

John equates belief with obedience.  Some translations use the word reject instead of obey, but that is an inaccurate interpretation of the Greek.  The word is ἀπειθέω and is clearly used in terms of refusing to comply or obey. Notice how Jesus makes this plain in this encounter:

“While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”” (Matthew 12:46–50, NIV).

To become a Christian and live as a Christian is defined by Jesus who said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27, NIV).

 Father I love You.  Today I desire You more than I normally do.  I thank You for that passion.  I wish I always had such a preeminent affection for You.  I know part of the reason is that "the things of this earth are growing strangely dim." There is a sadness and a struggle in this life that propels me more and more to see my Savior, face-to-face.  You have saved me by Your grace.  You have given to me as a gift a precious faith purchased by Your Son on Calvary.  You have set before me a purpose and ministry in this life.  I thank you for all that because it provides on the horizon an inheritance that will never fade or grow old.  To be with Christ is far better.  But to serve and obey You is also awesome.  Help me today to magnify Jesus in my life.   May my walk of obedience confirm Your calling and choice of me.  For the glory of Christ and the joy of all who love You.  Amen.

Faith is trusting God's goodness sufficiently that it is evidenced by obedience.

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1. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.