©2003 Pastor Tom Miles

Paul talks in chapter four about two covenants, Sarah and Hagar and their importance, about children and their rights.  He also talks about the bondage of the law until Christ came and how Christ's coming frees us from the bondage.

Verses 1-2 tell us this  that Paul is again saying that while a Believer is under the law they are not yet grown up in the Lord.  While we hold on to the law we are like infants.  It is not of any importance that an infant is heir to a kingdom as long as they are infants they are subject to the law of the family and must follow all the rules of the guardian.  Even though heir to the riches of the Father the infant is no different even than a servant, he must follow the rules of the master until the age time appointed for him to take his inheritance.   We also are under the things of the world held in bondage according to the law according to verse three and this includes both Jews and Gentiles.  We were infants, children, not yet delivered from bondage as it was appointed us to be delivered.  The Law of Moses was only a temporary fix; the law of Christ is permanent!  Verse four: But God sent forth His Son born into humanity of a virgin to bring to us fullness, a completeness of the law and all things!  Verse five: To redeem the ones under bondage to the law or from the curse of the law (Romans 8:5).  Jesus came to redeem the faithful ones; all those that believe by faith!  Verses six and seven tell us the Holy Spirit has come forth to children of God and we are no longer slaves but instead set free from the curse joint heirs with Christ to the kingdom of God!  Father, always keep me aware of my right standing as an heir to Your kingdom!

Paul assures them in verse eight that the idols many were looking at as god or gods were not right and they were not divine in nature.  Paul continues in verses nine and 10 to say that he is trying to understand how a person can come to know God and God to know them yet they slip back into a life of sin and idolatry.  Paul says they have come to follow and worship days and months and seasons and years instead of true worship to Christ Jesus.  Their worship is towards things of the world not things of God.  In verse 11 Paul is saddened that they have known Christ yet so easily give up their inheritance for worldly things.  Paul says this makes it seem as if he, along with Christ, have labored in vain!  Verses 12 to 20 tell us that Paul has always had good relations with them and they have always shown him love and respect in such a way that they would have plucked out their eyes for him.  Now this statement referring to eyes does not necessarily mean that the infliction or thorn in Paul's flesh is necessarily his eye; this use of language was most common at this time referring to one giving up their self for another.  Even though Paul was notably ill or inflicted when he visited previously they still accepted him and did not turn away or shun him.  He was treated as they would have treated Christ, in love and respect.  Paul asks if he became their enemy for telling the truth.  He also warns of the false teachers using coercion to gain support.  It seems it made no difference what they did  flattery, threats, all were used to attempt to persuade and win them over to false teachings.  Paul didn't mind if others ministered to them as long as it was in truth.  Paul wishes he were there now for he is perplexed and wishes to resolve the problems.

Paul continues in verses 21 to 32 questioning them as to their reasons for wanting to quote the law and if so should they then not also want to be under the law.  We see here that Paul is actually referring to the entire Old Testament as the law and prophets, not just the law of Moses (see Matthew 22:40 and Luke 16:29). Abraham had two sons  one by a bondwoman and one by a free woman.  The son of the bondwoman was born by flesh and the son of the free woman was born by promise.  Hagar bore children to be slaves not having authority or the blessings of God.  Sara bore children by the promise of God.  Hagar's children are under the law, Sara's children under the promise of God.  New Testament Believers are under God, not law, but must follow law also because it is God's design.  The children of Sara depict a state of freedom, and makes her the mother of all believers born of the Holy Spirit.

These are Believers by faith!  So, Paul says, we are not children of the bond-woman, Hagar, but of the free-woman -- Sara. The two covenants of works and grace are shown here in this statement that works and fruits by a man's own doing are of the law, but if they come from faith in Christ, they are of the New Covenant.  The first covenant brought bondage, sin, and death. The second covenant brought the Holy Spirit and consists of freedom, liberty, and a duty to serve the Lord.  It is not a freedom to continue in sin but a freedom to continue in respect and servitude to the Father.  No longer do we live under the spirit of death but we now live under the spirit of love.  Just as Abraham turned to Hagar, it is also possible for a believer to turn to the covenant of works mostly because of lack of faith, lack of teaching, and neglect of God's promises to us.  We try to often to do things in our own strength and fail.  This is not God's way.  God's way is for us to rest in Him for all things.  We are to be cautious as to how we present ourselves also as Believers.  We should take a look at every thing that is contrary to the truth.  We should cast away flattery and deceitful dealings.  If we are truly God's children we will not hate, lie, cheat, deceive and we will hate all things associated with those characteristics.

As children of God we will guard our passions and pleasures keeping our self free from sin.  If we yield to sin we allow the devil to come in and destroy and wreak havoc in our lives and the lives of our loved ones.  We are to stay away from all appearances of evil and idle doings.  Idleness makes one into a thief because when you do not work you are tempted to steal to get things you need.  Paul says we should keep ourselves busy so as to not be tempted to do wrong.  God hates robbery!  God hates dirty nasty words that come from our mouths corrupting the minds and ways of those that hear them. Believers should be cautious of using language such as this.  We should be kind to one another because this is the way of Christ.  Being kind one to another displays the love of God.  Repent for God's willingness to forgive will create within us a willingness to forgive others.  The Spirit of God is grieved by our evil desires, lying, lusting and idle filthy talk.  Let us be loving and kind, tender hearted, forgiving and compassionate one to another just as God in Christ is to us. Father, thank You for loving me so much that You gave Jesus so I could live and have all the blessings and promises of Abraham.  Father help me to live according to Your desire and will in all that I do in Jesus name amen!

Where Jesus is Lord!
Living Vine Ministries
Pastor Thomas Miles

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