For freedom Christ freed us. Stand fast therefore and do not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1
When we trust in Christ as our Savior, He sets us free from bondage under the law, having fulfilled its righteous demands in our stead and having made full atonement for all our sins. Since we have been pardoned and set free through faith in Christ our Substitute, we don’t turn back and again become entangled in the demands of the law to merit our salvation.
O Christ, You freed us from the law’s curse by being cursed for us. Grant that we hold fast to You and the salvation You won for us in faith and not turn back to our works under the law. Amen.
Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman.” So then, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman. Galatians 4:30-31
As Ishmael, Abraham’s son of the bondwoman Hagar, did not inherit with Isaac, son of Abraham by Sarah, but was cast out, so also those who are of the flesh descendants of Abraham but not of the faith of Abraham will be cast out and not inherit the promises. Only those who trust in Jesus Christ, the Seed of Abraham who atoned for the sins of all, will inherit the promise of forgiveness and life eternal.
Grant that I trust in Thee alone, O Christ, that I might receive Your pardon and inherit the eternal joys of heaven. Amen.
Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Galatians 4:28-29
As Isaac was a son of promise to Abraham, so all who trust in Christ Jesus, the Seed of Abraham, for pardon and forgiveness are the promised children of Abraham and inherit eternal life through faith in Jesus. But as Ishmael mocked Isaac, so those depending upon their own religious works or earthly church affiliation mock and persecute those trusting in Christ alone for salvation.
Grant that I trust in Thee alone, O Christ, that I might be a child of promise and inherit eternal life. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible]
“Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.” Galatians 4:24-26
The Apostle Paul compares Sarah and Hagar to two covenants: the covenant of promise made with Abraham and the covenant of laws given later on Mt. Sinai. When we look to our own keeping of the laws given to Moses at Mt. Sinai, we are like the children of Hagar, in bondage under the law and condemned by it because of our sins. When we trust in God’s promise of righteousness imputed to us by faith in Jesus Christ, the promised Seed of Abraham, we are like the children of Sarah and are free from the condemnation of the law and inherit the blessings promised to Abraham.
Thank You, dear Lord Jesus, the promised Seed of Abraham, for fulfilling all righteousness for me and then paying the price for my sins by Your death on the cross. Grant that I trust in You alone that I might inherit the blessings promised to Abraham. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Galatians 4:21-23
The question Paul raises is whether we are children of promise or children of bondage because Abraham had two sons, one of the flesh by a slave woman and one of the promise to Abraham and Sarah and free. Those seeking to be counted righteous by the law are under bondage to the law and condemned by it. Those trusting in the promise are counted righteous through faith in Christ Jesus and are free from the condemnation of the law.
O God, grant that I not seek to be counted righteous by my own works under the law but trust in the perfect righteousness of Christ and in His atoning sacrifice for my sins. In His name, I pray. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]