September 27, 2020
Morning Service

Last week Paul warned us that we have to be on guard against being deceived especially in these last days.  We must study the scriptures and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us along the path of faith and not become slaves to works and become burdened down by trying to earn our salvation.  By faith we stand on the provision Jesus made for our sin upon the cross and we are justified by Him and Him alone.   We are complete in Him (Col 2:10). We then follow Jesus out of the love we have for Him and allow the Holy Spirit to “transform” us into all that God desires us to be.  In reality, our relationship with God is what changes us.  Paul now addresses that and explains to us that we are now no longer slaves or servants to God, but His children; His family.  He begins his explanation with the promise given to Abraham.

Gal 3:15-18 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man's covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it.  (16)  Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "AND TO YOUR SEED," who is Christ.  (17)  And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect.  (18)  For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

          Paul here brings out the fact that Abraham’s covenant with God was directed not only to his decedents, but reveals that it was through Christ, Abraham’s Seed, that the promises are being fulfilled.  If it was only offered to those who were related to Abraham and kept the law, then faith would play no part only your heritage would matter and that is not true.  The promise to Abraham and the law do not cancel each other out, but actually are working together to pave the way for Jesus and the new, perfect covenant.  He continues now explaining what part the law has played in this process.

Gal 3:19-22 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator.  (20)  Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.  (21)  Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.  (22)  But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

          The law works in three steps to help us to understand where we stand in our relationship with God.  First, the law reveals to us the holy character of God and how He feels about sin and the expectations that are required to have fellowship with Him.  Secondly, it defines what sin really is and how it has a constant presence in our life.  It reveals to us clear picture of who we truly are and that we cannot live the sin free life that is required to have a close intimate relationship with our Holy Creator (Rom 3:23).  Finally, after coming to the knowledge of the holiness of God and the sinfulness of self we realize we need help; we need a Savior.  The promise to Abraham points to his Seed; Jesus Christ as our Savior.  The promise then applies to us though faith.  Paul continues:

Gal 3:23-25 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed.  (24)  Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  (25)  But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

          This pictures the law as a tutor, or guardian, giving us supervision that points us to a knowledge of the truth.  The law teaches us the need for salvation and it is grace through Jesus Christ that gives us salvation.  To first come to Christ for salvation, we must realize we need it. The law did that for us.  It revealed to us God as Holy and man as sinful and the gap that lay between us.  Upon that realization, repentance and a confession of faith that I accept Jesus as my Savior to bridge that gap between myself and God.  This action of my faith brings about a status change for me.  As we read these next verses, try to soak in the fact that this is God’s promise to Abraham being fulfilled in your life.  This is God’s promise to you when you act in faith and believe in Jesus as your personal Savior.

Gal 3:26-29 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.  (27)  For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  (28)  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  (29)  And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

          What does this mean for me?  It means through faith in Christ Jesus I can be adopted into the family of God and become His child.  Though I am sinful and imperfect in many ways, I can through baptism put on Christ’s perfection and be allowed to have a close intimate relationship with my Creator.  I am able to “put on Christ” and His symbolic robe of righteousness and completely cover up the filthy rags of sin that I wear.  It means I am wanted, loved and accepted into a family that will spend eternity together.  It means I all stand on level ground before Christ no longer being identified by who or what we are; we all become one.  My new status with Christ does not hinge on my profession, my looks, my financial status, or even how good of a person I am; it hinges solely only upon my faith in Him.  We are united together as a family of believers whom God has promised to become His children and heirs.  Paul continues in more depth and summarizes his point:

Gal 4:1-7 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, (2) but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father.  (3)  Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world.  (4)  But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, (5) to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.  (6)  And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!"  (7)  Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

          Paul uses the example of slavery here to show the spiritual transformation or, the change in relationship status, that has occurred in believers.  We were once under the bondage of the law trying to earn our salvation and to redeem a broken relationship with God on our own.  We were bound to a set of rules to follow in which our only hope came through ourselves and our actions to be justified in God’s eyes.  “BUT, when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son!”  He came to “redeem those under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons!”  Our hope no longer lies in us alone, but totally in Jesus our Savior.  Our status has been changed from slave to son.  God is no longer viewed as our Master, but as our Father.  That change is revealed through the phrase “Abba Father” Paul uses here.  It is an endearing term much like we would call our fathers affectionately “Daddy.”  What a difference! 

          How do you view your walk with Jesus this morning?

  Do your feel more like a servant, or a child of God?

God loves you so much that He sent His Son Jesus to die upon the cross for your sins so that you could heal your broken relationship with Him.  The work is done; your sin has been paid for.  You are no longer a slave, but a son of God.  Walk through this life knowing you are loved, wanted, needed and accepted into the family of God.  Let love and gratitude for the One who gave His all for you to have this new status be your motivation to walk closer and be more faithful to Him.  Don’t take your new relationship with God for granted, but treasure it as your greatest possession.