Lesson 4870

 (Lesson 4870) (05-31-25) Galatians 5:1-4 

   “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” 

 

   In today’s lesson, Paul urged the Galatian believers to stand firm in the liberty provided by Christ and not become entangled again with the curse that is the old Law. He warned that those who sought justification by simply being a Jew—professing obedience to the Law—had separated themselves from Christ and had literally fallen from grace. Paul stressed that trusting in the works of the Law rendered the sacrifice of Christ of no effect. The only righteousness that avails for eternal salvation was, and is, the righteousness imputed by God to those who put their full faith in Jesus Christ alone. ~ 

Lesson 4869

 (Lesson 4869) (05-30-25) Galatians 4:21-31 

   “Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.” 

 

   In today’s lesson, Paul used the story of Abraham's two sons—Ishmael (by Sarah’s handmaiden, Hagar) and Isaac (by Abraham’s wife, Sarah). As a metaphor, Paul explained that Hagar represented the old covenant of the Law given at Mount Sinai, which brought bondage to those who were bound by it, while Sarah represented the new covenant of freedom through the promise of a coming Savior. Paul emphasized that those who put their faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ, like Isaac, are children of promise, not of bondage as was afforded by the old laws. Just as Ishmael persecuted Isaac, those under the Law persecuted those born of the Spirit. Paul concluded that believers are not children of the handmaiden, (the Law), but of the freewoman, Abraham’s wife, signifying that the old Hebrew laws were set aside by Christ's coming and ultimate sacrifice. ~ 

Lesson 4868

 (Lesson 4868) (05-29-25) Galatians 4:12-20 

   “Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all. Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you. My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice for I stand in doubt of you.” 

 

 

   In today’s quote, Paul appealed to the Galatians to be as he was—free from the law. He reminded them of their initial love and kindness toward him despite his physical infirmity when he first preached the gospel to them. They had once received him as an angel of God, even as Christ Himself. Paul demanded to know what had changed among them, wondering if he had become their enemy by telling them the truth. He warned them that false teachers were zealously courting them, but not for good but rather for evil. He expressed deep concern, likening his anguish to labor pains, longing for Christ to be fully formed in them. His tone with the Galatians reflected both love and frustration. ~ 

Lesson 4867

 (Lesson 4867) (05-28-25) Galatians 4:8-11 

   “Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain." 

 

    In today’s quote, Paul reminded the Galatians that before they knew God, they served false, manmade gods. But now, after they had come to know the true God, Paul questioned why they were turning back to the old weak and worthless practices—referring to Jewish customs and observances like special days, months, seasons, and years. Paul expressed concern that his efforts might have been in vain, fearing they were abandoning the freedom found in Christ by returning to the old worship of the law. ~ 

NOTE: It would be wise to remember that ceremonial rituals such as water baptism etc., being required as a step toward eternal salvation, were born out of the same wrong and habitual actions as those that were being taken by the Galatians when Paul wrote the letter. There is NO baptism that has the power to remit sin other that the baptism of the Holy Spirit.