Saved by grace. Galatians 4.21-28
Galatians 4 (5)
Opening Prayer: Psalm 119.25-27.
My soul clings to the dust;
Revive me according to Your word.
I have declared my ways, and You answered me;
Teach me Your statutes.
Make me understand the way of Your precepts;
So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works.
Sing Psalm 119.25-27.
(Festal Song: Rise Up, O Men of God)
My soul clings to the dust; revive me by Your Word!
My ways I have declared to You; teach me Your statutes, LORD!
Make me to understand Your precepts and Your ways,
as on Your works I meditate with wonder and with praise!
Read Galatians 4.1-28; meditate on verses 21-28.
Preparation
1. What “two covenants” does Paul mention?
2. In what way are we like Isaac?
Meditation
This is a difficult passage, especially if we try to make more out of it than what Paul explains. Two “covenants” are mentioned here, but these must not be confused with the covenant of God, as if there were two paths to the Lord. In this context, these are more like “paths”.
Ishmael represents all those who want to be born by the flesh, that is, who seek to earn salvation through the Law. They cannot, however, because they are by nature in bondage to the flesh (vv. 21-23). Shockingly enough, Paul turned this “covenant” into an allegory for the Jews of his day, who were still in bondage to sin and still trying to work their way into the Lord’s favor (vv. 24, 25).
On the other hand, Isaac is the child of promise. He was given by promise and grace and thus represents “the Jerusalem above” which is free and is the source of salvation for all who are given salvation. These are all those who, believing in Jesus for salvation—Jews and Gentiles alike (v. 27)—enjoy the freedom from sin that comes with salvation and walk the path that Jesus did, following the commandments of God (1 Jn. 2.1-6). These are the children of promise (v. 28), because they are born by grace through faith, according to the promise to Abraham.
This allegory would have outraged the Judaizers (not to mention the Jews); but it would have signaled to the truly faithful that, as Paul explained in verses 1-7, salvation is entirely at God’s pleasure, in His time, by grace through the gift of faith, and unto obedience and rejoicing in Jesus. We who believe in Jesus are the children of promise, not of the flesh; and we are free in Him from the bondage sin and the flesh formerly imposed on us.
So don’t go back to that “covenant”; it’s a dead-end.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
Paul is a magician with words. No doubt. The man could turn a phrase and a thought better than just about anyone. Here, the question he poses is masterful:
“Hey you all, you who want to be under the law so badly, so that you can save yourselves by keeping it perfectly, do you hear this law? Are you even vaguely acquainted with the requirements? And are you totally unfamiliar with Jesus’ addendum to these laws? That guilt is accumulated by not only actions, but thoughts as well? Are you serious? Have you even stopped to think this through? Let me just process this for a moment: You want to turn your backs on a gift of freedom to return to being in bondage?” (Galatians 4.21EIV-extended imagined version).
Isaiah, an amazing writer with a skill for explicit truth like Paul, wrote of the downfall of God’s people then and now: “this is a people robbed and plundered; all of them are snared in holes, and they are hidden in prison houses; they are for prey, and no one delivers…Who among you will give ear to this? Who will listen and hear for the time to come? …for they would not walk in His ways, nor were they obedient to His law. Therefore He has poured on him the fury of His anger and the strength of battle; it has set him on fire all around, yet he did not know; and it burned him, yet he did not take it to heart” (Is. 42.22-25).
The Galatians, and the Christians of today need to take God’s Word to heart.
He has given us by grace through faith the gift of salvation. Settled.
But He then wants us to live righteously in His Kingdom, to sow seeds of righteousness into our Personal Mission Field, so that others will know of His gracious gift of salvation, will accept the gift, and will have the joy of ministering into their own Personal Mission Field. And all for this reason: to give glory to Him, for His amazing grace. “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever” (The Catechism). And why not? All other ground is sinking sand.
How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss—
The Father turns His face away,
As wounds which mar the Chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory.
Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders;
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life—
I know that it is finished.
I will not boast in anything,
No gifts, no power, no wisdom;
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer;
But this I know with all my heart—
His wounds have paid my ransom.
(Stuart Townsend, 2007)
Children of This Promise—do we hear?
Reflection
1. We are called to do good works. But how do we keep from thinking we’re earning something by doing them?
2. How would you explain to a non-Christian that salvation is by grace, not works?
3. How have you seen the Lord at work in you of late, bringing more of His grace to bear through you to the people in your Personal Mission Field?
The heavenly Jerusalem, the true church from above, represented by Sarah, is in a state of freedom, and is the mother of all believers, who are born of the Holy Spirit. They were by regeneration and true faith, made a part of the true seed of Abraham, according to the promise made to him. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Galatians 4.21-27
Pray Psalm 119.28-32.
Praise the Lord, for His promise never fails. Thank Him for Jesus and for the gift of salvation, sent to you from on high. Call on His Presence and strength to help you in this day’s work.
Sing Psalm 119.28-32.
(Festal Song: Rise Up, O Men of God)
My soul weighs down with woe, I need Your strength, O LORD!
Remove from me all lying ways; grant me Your holy Word!
I choose the way of truth; Your judgments I proclaim.
Your testimonies I embrace, LORD, put me not to shame!
Command my course, O LORD; Your gracious truth impart.
I cling to You and know You will enlarge my seeking heart.
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
