From Slavery to freedom: (Chap.4)
Paul continues with more illustration to hammer the nail on its head that Salvation is only by grace and not by observing the Law. In an attempt to turn the Galatians from the terrible yoke of legalism, Paul appeals to them speaking to their heads and hearts.
A legal illustration (4:1-7):
- Roman father and his son (4:1-2): Paul gives us a portrait of a young boy in a wealthy Roman home. This boy is the legal heir and future master of the entire estate. But as long as he is a child, his life is just like that of a slave. He is subject to guardians and trustees. They supervise him, discipline him and control him. Their orders regulate and restrain his behaviour. He is under their authority until the time set by his father, when he will be free from their control and enjoy his full rights as heir and master of the family estate. But God’s timing was perfect.
- The redeemer’s Father and the Father’s children (4:3-7): Before Christ came and died for us, we were under the bondage of Law. When the right time came, the Father sent His own Son Jesus into this, born of a woman. He was human and was born as a Jew. He was subjected to God’s Law and fulfilled it perfectly. Thus He became a perfect sacrifice because although He was fully human, he never sinned. His death brought freedom for us who were enslaved to sin so that we could be adopted into God’s family. Eventually he rose again on the third day. Through his death and resurrection and by putting our faith in him we receive our inheritance and become no longer slaves, but sons and heirs of God.
Without Jesus, we would have remained in slavery, but since God loves us, bestowed His grace upon us and He sent Jesus so that we may be freed from slavery. Because we are the children of God, we are also His heirs and we receive the inheritance that He gives us. ‘Abba’ is an Aramaic word for father. It was used by Christ in His prayer in (Mk.14:36). As adopted children of God, we share with Jesus all rights to God’s resources. As God’s heirs, we can claim what He has provided for us. We have our full identity in Christ.
A personal plea to believers: (4:8-20)
- He rebukes them: (4:8-11): Before their conversion, the Galatians were in ignorance and worshipped the false gods , Zeus and Hermes. But a great change took place and they came to know God or to be known by God. Even after coming to know the true and living God, the Galatians were turning back. Paul was amazed and dismayed. Did they understand that they would be going back to a state of religious slavery? Was this their desire? If so, why would they be attracted to a system that was weak and miserable. Under the influence of the Judaizers the Galatians had at least begun to observe the Mosaic calendar. They kept special days (weekly Sabbaths), months (new moons), seasons (seasonal festivals such as Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles) and years (sabbatical and jubilee years). They observed these special times, thinking that they would thereby gain additional merit before God. But Paul had already made it clear that works could not be added to faith as grounds for either justification or sanctification. Now-a-days many Christians observe Christmas, New Year, Good-Friday and Easter. Many people would ask, is it wrong to observe such festivals. Not necessarily but if we observe special days like slaves, hoping to gain some spiritual merit, then we are sinning. But if in the observance, we express our liberty in Christ and let the Spirit enrich us with His grace, then the observance can be a spiritual blessing. Further the Government announces holidays on these festivals. It would be wise for Christians to spend more time in the presence of the Lord and use such opportunities to give Gospel to others. The New Testament makes it clear that Christians are not to legislate religious observances for each other (Rom.14:4-13). We are not to praise the man who celebrates the day, nor are we to condemn the man who does not celebrate. But if a man thinks he is saving his soul, or automatically growing in grace, because of a religious observance, then he is guilty of legalism. Looking at their behaviour, Paul expressed his fears somehow his labour has been wasted.
Our evangelical churches have many different kinds of observances and it is wrong for us to go beyond the Word of God in comparing, criticizing, or condemning. But all of us must beware of that legalistic spirit that caters to the flesh, leads to pride and makes the outward event a substitute for the inward experience. (from The Bible Exposition Commentary).