Read Galatians 3:26- 4:31
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians3:26-4:31&version=NIV
In Galatians 3:26-4:11, Paul showed that everyone who has faith in Christ is a son of God and an heir to the promise made to Abraham – regardless of race, status, or gender. While children, we were slaves to the world, but Christ was sent by God the Father to redeem those under the Law to change our status from that of slaves to that of sons and heirs. Having been freed from slavery to sin, one should not return to the things that had kept him a slave.
In Galatians 4:12-20, Paul reminds them that he had been ill when he first preached to them, but though it was difficult to care for him, they received him as an angel of God. They had lost the zeal which they once had for the Gospel. He tells them that the false teachers were zealous to prevent them from being zealous for the Gospel.
In Galatians 4:21-31, Paul showed that under Law itself teaches that the son of the free woman was born as a result of a promise, as opposed to the son of the slave woman. The slave woman, Hagar, represents the Old Covenant and bore children who were slaves. But like Isaac, believers are children of promise.
Discussion questions
Verses 3:28-29 are powerful and bold statements that Paul made. How do you think the churches of Galatia took those statements? How does it play out today?
Personal reflection
Like the Galatians, have you slipped back into any bad habits or old ways, from which Christ once delivered you? How did you handle it?
This week have you felt like Hagar, a slave to rules or Sarah, a free, loved and forgiven Christian?
I would think that some of the Galatians would have a difficult time with verses 28-29. There would still be people who would have trouble getting away from following the Law instead of realizing that they were now heirs to God's kingdom (through Jesus). Plus I would think that Paul's words noting Jews and Greeks (Gentiles), slave and free, etc. might be difficult for them to incorporate fully into their beliefs. We have to remember as we read this that this is all brand new to these people and it probably takes some time to really sink in.
ReplyDeleteI also believe it would have been hard on the Galatians because of where they were at that time in their faith. Even today we can find ourselves getting caught up in these things. We can all be slaves "to something" if we allow ourselves to be.
ReplyDeleteThis probably would have been a very revolutionary thought to the Galatians as it still is to some extent today. I think this concept is only possible for those who have been changed by the Love of Jesus.
ReplyDeleteThank God we have Christ's example to live by and the Holy Spirit to direct us. It would have been very difficult living under the law for so long to change habits and thinking. It would have been easy to continue following the law that was so much a part of their lives. I relate this to my life before and after accepting Christ as my Savior. Before I lived for myself primarily thinking about my time here on earth and the challenges I faced each day. I still live too much in the here and now and don't stay focused on the big picture. The more I pray, read, and listen to God's word I am better able to live according to what I believe. I need constant reinforcement so I don't fall back into my ways and thinking.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be difficult for them. I think quite a bit today. I seems like quite a few things to become slaves too. Just take a look around. A little of both. Sarah at times & Hagar at times. I need to work on being more like Sarah. To live the way Jesus taught us. To not let material things step in the way of our faith.
ReplyDeleteGalatians is thought by most scholars to have been written between 51 and 57 A. D. This would have been 20-30 years after the crucifixion, still a new movement. They were probably converted from paganism, which was very different from what they were being asked to accept. It would have been difficult for them to consistently cling to the new beliefs. Still, Paul was apparently angered by their wandering away from The Way. Today people are often unsure or inconsistent in their beliefs and actions. They are influenced by a world in which many want to think they are in control. We know who is in control, and it is not them.
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