Epistles – Galatians 4-6

In this concluding portion of our reading of Galatians, we make it our aim to search into the simple message of what freedom in Christ means.

We’ll read today’s passage…

Bible Passage:  Galatians 4 – 6.

In chapter 3, we ended with the understanding that all of us baptised in Christ are one family. In chapter 4, Paul proceeds to show us just how precious we are individually as sons/heirs of God. We are no longer under the tutor/guardian (the Law), because our Father has come at the appointed time.

Being approved, accepted, and redeemed, we now can call our Father, “Father!” When I think of this each time, I stand in awe of God. Why should a good-for-nothing like myself have a Father who rules the universe?

I never can fathom why He should want to take me in as His son and I am sure that all of us who are one with the Spirit would definitely feel the same. The least I can understand is that this was possible only because of His grace under the new covenant. For if we had still been under the old covenantal Law, then we would all surely fear and run away from this awesome God.

Now, as we press on, a simple story would illustrate to us the problem that Paul was addressing:

A homeless boy is made a prince by a king.

He lives as luxurious life in the king’s palace.

One day however, he decides to go back to his old lifestyle, mixing with the vagrants and hooligans, effectively turning back into a wastrel.

This reverberates throughout Gal 2 – 5. Those who chose to return to the Law were liken to a son of the heavenly king who forsook the glories of the king’s palace in return for his old habits of being a good-for-nothing.

As the young prince returned to being a wastrel, so the “foolish Galatians” returned to the Law that previously constrained them. We should not be like this prince-turned-wastrel. We should not return to the old Law. We should not (re)turn to old, pagan, gentile ways. Rather, we reside in the period of the new covenant, in which is the grace given by God. We reside in the period of the Holy Spirit’s downpour, testifying that we are sons of God.

Gal 4:31 tells us that we are “children … of the free” and this is the greatest comfort that we have and take delight in being God’s children.

Nevertheless, an important reminder is set in place in Gal 5:13. We are free, and yes, we say Amen and we thank God. We are free, but no, we cannot misuse this freedom for the works of the flesh.

Essentially, Gal 5 continues on with Paul’s concern for the believers who might have been led astray. In reaffirming our status as the glorious sons of God, we should now take heed.

The Christian faith is one that liberates, yet it is not meant to call us to become libertines.

We are restrained and compelled by the Spirit of Sonship to act according to standards befitting of a heavenly individual. Our testimony to God’s Spirit of Sonship in us is when we bear the fruit of the Sprit.

In due course, we understand that when we act accordingly to this model of individual Christian behaviour, our conduct in the Lord’s household will consequentially be as sweet and as delightfully heavenly.

To achieve this, Paul’s concluding chapter 6 reminds us of the need for looking out for each other and to bear the burdens of the brethren.

Most importantly, we must surely, surely be reminded that in doing so, we ought to know that it is purely out of His grace that we can even bear one another’s burdens. Thus there is no way that we should even feel conceited, self-righteous, or think ourselves better than others.

A complete picture of Christian Liberty now emerges.

Galatians 4 – 6 picks up from 1 – 3 and we can take back some key points:

1. You and I are the precious Sons/Heirs of God. We should eagerly await our return Home.
2. We cannot return to the Law for we are under grace. Under grace, we act in faith, in a manner that shows our status as His Sons.
3. Bear the fruit of the Spirit, testifying that we are His Sons, and work together as a body to bear the burdens of all brethren.

“Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen!” (Gal 6:18)