How do you deal with people that hurt you?
-       I rarely give direct suggestions on what to do…

THE SPIRIT VERSUS THE FLESH
Galatians 5:16-26
16 I say then, walk (live) by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh.
- Flesh vs Sinful Nature (* NIV 84 & New Living)
- NIV changed sinful nature to flesh in 2011 version
 - The Message - My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness.[1]
- “the flesh” does not mean “the body”

• It is a far more encompassing term involving the mind, will, and emotions as well as the physical body.
• According to R. Jewett, the flesh was Paul’s term for everything aside from God in which one placed his final trust.
• Everything outside of faith
• Only the Spirit of God who has made us free from sin and given us new life (regeneration) can keep us truly free as we walk in him through the power of sanctification.
• Sanctification – Knowing that you are vs trying to attain it.
• Here in Gal 5 Paul used four distinct verbs to designate the Spirit-controlled life of the believer, all of which are roughly equivalent in meaning:

1. to walk in the Spirit (v. 16)
2. to be led by the Spirit (v. 18)
3. to live by the Spirit (v. 25a)
4. to keep in step with the Spirit (v. 25b).

Each of these verbs suggests a relationship of dynamic interaction, direction, and purpose.

• In Paul’s vocabulary, to walk in the Spirit or be led by the Spirit means to go where the Spirit is going, to listen to his voice, to discern his will, to follow his guidance.[2]
• It is not only the Spirit’s direction… but His empowerment!
• So if that is the case it becomes:
• The Spirit’s direction vs our Selfish direction
• The Spirit’s empowerment or our own selfish power. (self-help)
• This is where you have to be careful.
• Society does a wonder in making things of the flesh seem like the “right thing”.
• Think about the acceptance of things today as compared to 10 years ago… 50 years ago.
• You can have a new heart and still live out of your flesh.
• Learn to live out of your new heart. Know God.

17 For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.
- The Spirit and the flesh are not in a stalemate.
 - The flesh does not frustrate the desires of the Spirit; rather, the Spirit frustrates the desires of the flesh.[3]
 - Here is the bad news/good news:
 - Bad news: So long as we remain in this present life, we never outgrow or transcend the spiritual conflict Paul was describing in this passage.
 - There is no spiritual technique or second blessing that can propel the believer onto a higher plane of Christian living where this battle must no longer be fought.[4]
- Good news: Knowing this is the case… allows you to walk on in victory.
- I will not become a judge of qualifying grace.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

• If you don’t completely grasp this battle, it is difficult to walk in victory… in fact, it could destroy you.
• Paul now states the obvious. Let me show you what it looks like as you walk on a daily basis.
• As we read through these lists, we not only filter our own sin issues, but we begin to attach names to the others.
• It is easy to become judgmental to others while at the same time justifying our own issues.
• I am sure Paul did not make a list (that is not exhaustive) for the purpose of analyzing each of your faults.
• This list indicates whether you are a believer or not.

 
19 Now the works (plural) of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before

• More than half of this list causes conflict with other people.
• Those putting selfish needs before others.

—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

• The Greek participle here, prassontes, is used in the present tense, referring to people who continually orient their lives toward deeds of the flesh[5]

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.

• It is not about having each item in this list...
• It is about grasping that we have the Spirit who produces these items in us.
• I am not responsible for producing the fruit.
• I am responsible for choosing to walk with the Spirit.

24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
- There is no stalemate in this battle between flesh and spirit.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.[6]
- We must encourage one another!

[1] Peterson, E. H. (2005). The Message: the Bible in contemporary language (Ga 5:16). Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress.
[2] George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, p. 386). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[3] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Ga 5:17). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[4] George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, pp. 387–388). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[5] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Ga 5:21). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ga 5:16–26). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

To be posted...

Pizza dough

• 16 oz. / 3 ½ cups all purpose flour (King Arthur unbleached)
• 1 ½ teaspoons large grain salt (sea salt)
• 2 teaspoons dry yeast (Red Star – opaque sealed canister in fridge – keeps it dormant; yeast dies at 110 degrees) (do not use quick rise yeast, causes it to lose flavor/texture)
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 2 oz. / 4 teaspoons of olive oil
• 10 oz. / 1 ¼ cups warm water (keep below 110 degrees, otherwise yeast is at risk)

 

• Stir the yeast, salt and sugar into the flour. (Pour salt on one side and yeast on the other before mixing. Salt retards yeast as well as sugar)
• Add the honey, water and olive oil to the flour mixture and knead the dough for 7-9 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
• After kneading the dough, place it in an oiled container. Cover the dough and allow it to rise for 30-45 minutes or until it is doubled in size. (Dough rising places: On top of refrigerator is 85 degrees causing it to rise faster, in the window seal it is cooler and causes it to rise slower. Create a hot box by boiling water in microwave and then immediately closing the dough in the oven. The humidity/heat combination will cause it to rise rapidly.)
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into two equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball and allow the dough to rest, covered for about 5 minutes.
• After resting, roll the dough pieces out to about ½” thickness making sure to retain the circular shape of the dough.

FREEDOM OF THE CHRISTIAN
Galatians 5:1-15
1 For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.
- Summary of Chapter 3 & 4
 - Yoke – Oxen, slaves & interpretation of law.
 - Yoke – Control by someone or something over your behavior.
 - The unsaved person wears a yoke of sin (Lam. 1:14)
 - The religious legalist wears the yoke of bondage (Gal. 5:1)
 - The Christian who depends on God’s grace wears the liberating yoke of Christ.[1]
2 Take note! I, Paul, am telling you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all. 3 Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to do the entire law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace.
- According to Acts 15:1–2 (1 Some men came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers: “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom prescribed by Moses, you cannot be saved!” 2 But after Paul and Barnabas had engaged them in serious argument and debate, the church arranged for Paul and Barnabas and some others of them to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem concerning this controversy.), the Judaizers believed that acceptance of this ancient Jewish ritual was absolutely necessary for salvation and incorporation into the people of God.[2]
 - Paul was strongly opposed to the Judaistic theology which insisted that circumcision was necessary for salvation.[3]
 - His point is that anyone who insists on living under the law fails to trust in Christ.[4]
 - Paul is saying that you cannot mix Law and grace.
 - If you choose to live by 1 law you choose to live by all the Law… rather than to live by only grace.
 - 99% grace and 1% law = bondage to all Law.
5 For we eagerly await through the Spirit, by faith, the hope of righteousness.
- “Hope of righteousness” – Glorification concerning our behavior.
 - Hope “of righteousness” – Glorification of those who are already in the state of righteousness.
 - It has to filter with all 66 books.
 - Abraham was credited righteousness.
 - The Church was made righteous.
6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith working through love.
- This enables us to contrast the two ways of life.
 - When you live by grace, you depend on the power of the Spirit; but under Law, you must depend on yourself and your own efforts.
 - The efforts of the flesh can never accomplish what faith can accomplish through the Spirit.
 - And faith works through love—love for God and love for others. Unfortunately, flesh does not manufacture love.
 - Too often it produces selfishness and rivalry (see Gal. 5:15).[5]
 - In 2 verses, Paul incorporated faith, hope & love.
 
7 You were running well. Who prevented you from being persuaded regarding the truth?
- Mike Rodgers was running well
 - But someone posted lane restrictions
 - They became disqualified.
 - Still Olympians… you just competed and came away disappointed.
8 This persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough.
 - The process of leaven (yeast)
 - Matthew 13:33 –  He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and mixed into fifty pounds of flour until all of it was leavened.” [6]
10 I myself am persuaded in the Lord you will not accept any other view. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty. 11 Now brothers and sisters, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12 I wish those who are disturbing you might also let themselves be mutilated!
 - Paul actually wants them to cut themselves off from the religious community claiming to principles of Christianity.
 - Become impotent and unable to produce new converts.
 
13 For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.
- We are prone to go to extremes.
 - One believer interprets liberty as license and thinks he can do whatever he wants to do.
 - Another believer, seeing this error, goes to an opposite extreme and imposes Law on everybody.
 - Somewhere between license on the one hand and legalism on the other hand is true Christian liberty.[7]
 - Anytime you want negative things to occur to someone, we call that “walking according to your flesh.”
 - Paul, is saying, “It’s not about you… look around.”
14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself. 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.[8]
- Flesh refers to fallen human nature, the center of human pride and self-willing.
- Flesh is the arena of indulgence and self-assertion, the locale in which “the ultimate sin reveals itself to be the false assumption of receiving life not as the gift of the Creator but procuring it by one’s own power, of living from one’s self rather than from God.”[9]
 
- Wild animals in a deadly fight—to warn the Galatians that attacking one another ultimately will destroy their community.[10]

• How you “feel” vs what the Spirit leads you to do in love.
• The key word, of course, is love. The formula looks something like this:
• liberty + love = service to others
• liberty − love = license (slavery to sin)[11]

License – Cheap grace

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 713). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, p. 356). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[3] Campbell, D. K. (1985). Galatians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 605). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[4] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Ga 5:2). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[5] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 715). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 13:33). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 717). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[8] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ga 5:1–15). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[9] George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, p. 377). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[10] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Ga 5:15). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[11] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 717). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Paul uses six different arguments to prove that God saves sinners through faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law.

1. He begins with the personal argument (Gal. 3:1–5) in which he asks the Galatians to recall their personal experience with Christ when they were saved.
2. Then he moves into the scriptural argument (Gal. 3:6–14), in which he quotes six Old Testament passages to prove his point.
3. In the logical argument (Gal. 3:15–29) he reasons with his readers on the basis of what a covenant is and how a covenant works.
4. He then presents the historical argument (Gal. 4:1–11), explaining the place of Law in the history of Israel.
5. At this point, Paul’s love for his converts comes to the surface. The result is a sentimental argument (Gal. 4:12–18) as the apostle appeals to them to remember his love and their happy relationship in days past.
6. But then Paul goes right back to his close reasoning, and concludes with the allegorical argument (Gal. 4:19–31), based on the life of Abraham and his relationships with Sarah and Hagar.

• Practical application of his doctrinal argument follows in the last two chapters.[1]

Galatians 4:21-31
21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, don’t you hear the law?
 - the Galatians would be rejecting God’s gift and missing the purpose of the law altogether.[2]
22 For 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and the other by a free woman. 23 But the one by the slave was born as a result of the flesh, while the one by the free woman was born through promise. 24 These things are being taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery—this is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar represents Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written,
Rejoice, childless woman, unable to give birth. Burst into song and shout, you who are not in labor, for the children of the desolate woman will be many, more numerous than those of the woman who has a husband.
28 Now you too, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as then the child born as a result of the flesh persecuted the one born as a result of the Spirit, so also now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Drive out the slave and her son, for the son of the slave will never be a coheir with the son of the free woman.” 31 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of a slave but of the free woman.[3]

Breakdown – Genesis 12-21

Age 75— (Gen. 12:1–9) - Abraham is called by God to go to Canaan; and God promises him many descendants. Both Abraham and his wife, Sarah, wanted children, but Sarah was barren.
 - God was waiting until both of them were “as good as dead” before He would perform the miracle of sending them a son (Rom. 4:16–25).

85— (Gen. 16:1–3) - The promised son has not yet arrived, and Sarah becomes impatient. She suggests that Abraham marry Hagar, her maid, and try to have a son by her.
 - This act was legal in that society, but it was not in the will of God. Abraham followed her suggestion and married Hagar.

86— (Gen. 16:4–16) - Hagar gets pregnant and Sarah gets jealous! Things are so difficult in the home that Sarah throws Hagar out.
 - But the Lord intervenes, sends Hagar back, and promises to take care of her and her son. When Abraham is 86, the son is born, and he calls him Ishmael.


99— (Gen. 17–18) - God speaks to Abraham and promises again that he will have a son by Sarah and says to call his name Isaac.
- Later, God appears again and reaffirms the promise to Sarah as well.

100— (Gen. 21:1–7) - The son is born. They name him Isaac (“laughter”) as commanded by God.
 - But the arrival of Isaac creates a new problem in the home: Ishmael has a rival.
 - For fourteen years, Ishmael has been his father’s only son, very dear to his heart.

103— (Gen. 21:8–14) - It was customary for the Jews to wean their children at about the age of three, and to make a great occasion of it.
 - At the feast, Ishmael starts to mock Isaac and to create trouble in the home.
 - There is only one solution to the problem, and a costly one at that: Hagar and her son have to go.
 - With a broken heart, Abraham sends his son away, because this is what the Lord tells him to do.

- On the surface, this story appears to be nothing more than a tale of a family problem, but beneath the surface are meanings that carry tremendous spiritual power.
 - Abraham, the two wives, and the two sons represent spiritual realities; and their relationships teach us important lessons.[4]

- Paul begins with the two sons, Ishmael and Isaac, and explains that they illustrate our two births: the physical birth that makes us sinners and the spiritual birth that makes us the children of God.

The Old Covenant
The New Covenant

Law
Grace

Hagar the slave
Sarah the freewoman

Ishmael, conceived after the flesh
Isaac, conceived miraculously

Earthly Jerusalem in bondage
Heavenly Jerusalem which
is free

Isaac illustrates the believer in several particulars.
He was born by God’s power. In fact, God deliberately waited twenty-five years before He granted Abraham and Sarah their son.
 - Isaac was “born after the Spirit” (Gal. 4:29), and, of course, the Christian is “born of the Spirit” (John 3:1–7).
 - Isaac came into the world through Abraham (who represents faith, Gal. 3:9) and Sarah (who represents grace); so that he was born “by grace … through faith” as is every true Christian (Eph. 2:8–9).

He brought joy. His name means “laughter,” and certainly he brought joy to his aged parents.
 - Salvation is an experience of joy, not only to the believer himself, but also to those around him.
He grew and was weaned (Gen. 21:8). Salvation is the beginning, not the ending.
 - After we are born, we must grow (1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18).
 - Along with maturity comes weaning: we must lay aside “childish things” (1 Cor. 13:11).
 - How easy it is for us to hold the “toys” of our earlier Christian days and fail to lay hold of the “tools” of the mature believer.
- The child does not enjoy being weaned, but he can never become a man until it happens.

He was persecuted (Gen. 21:9). Ishmael (the flesh) caused problems for Isaac, just as our old nature causes problems for us.
 - Ishmael created no problems in the home until Isaac was born, just as our old nature creates no problems for us until the new nature enters when we trust Christ.

 - In Abraham’s home we see the same basic conflicts that we Christians face today:
Hagar versus Sarah = Law versus grace
Ishmael versus Isaac = flesh versus Spirit
It is important to note that you cannot separate these four factors.
 - The Judaizers taught that Law made the believer more spiritual, but Paul makes it clear that Law only releases the opposition of the flesh and a conflict within the believer ensues.
 - There was no Law strong enough either to change or to control Ishmael, but Isaac never needed any Law.
 - It has well been said, “The old nature knows no Law and the new nature needs no Law.”
 
Ishmael and Isaac represent the two lines of descendants that sprang from Abraham.
- According to Gen 25:13–18, Ishmael begot twelve sons who became the ancestors of the Arab tribes, which occupied the territory “from Havilah to Shur,” that is, the desert lands between Egypt and the Euphrates River.
- The birth of Ishmael was the result of the outworking of the philosophy that “God helps those who help themselves.”[5]
 - Not even in the Bible.

Having explained the significance of the two sons, Paul now turns to an explanation of the two wives, Sarah and Hagar.
 - He is illustrating the contrasts between Law and grace and is proving that the believer is not under Law but is under the loving freedom that comes through God’s grace.

 - Notice, then, the facts about Hagar that prove that the Law no longer has power over the Christian.
Hagar was Abraham’s second wife. God did not begin with Hagar; He began with Sarah.
As far as God’s dealings with men are concerned, God began with grace.
 - In Eden, God provided for Adam and Eve by grace. Even after they sinned, in His grace He provided them with coats of skins for a covering (Gen. 3:21). He did not give them laws to obey as a way of redemption; instead, He gave them a gracious promise to believe: the promise of a victorious Redeemer (Gen. 3:15).


In His relationship with Israel also, God first operated on the basis of grace, not Law.
 - His covenant with Abraham (Gen. 15) was all of grace, because Abraham was in a deep sleep when the covenant was established.
 - When God delivered Israel from Egypt, it was on the basis of grace and not Law, for the Law had not yet been given.
 - Like Hagar, Abraham’s second wife, the Law was “added” (Gal. 3:19). Hagar performed a function temporarily, and then moved off the scene, just as the Law performed a special function and then was taken away.

Hagar was a slave. Five times in this section she is called a “bondmaid” or “bondwoman” (Gal. 4:22–23, 30–31).
 - Sarah was a freewoman, and therefore her position was one of liberty; but Hagar, even though married to Abraham, was still a servant.
 - Likewise, the Law was given as a servant.
 - It served as a mirror to reveal men’s sins (Rom. 3:20) and as a monitor to control men and ultimately lead them to Christ (Gal. 3:23–25); but the Law was never meant to be a mother!

Hagar was not meant to bear a child. Abraham’s marriage to Hagar was out of the will of God; it was the result of Sarah’s and Abraham’s unbelief and impatience.
 - Hagar was trying to do what only Sarah could do, and it failed.
 - The Law cannot give life (Gal. 3:21), or righteousness (Gal. 2:21), or the gift of the Spirit (Gal. 3:2), or a spiritual inheritance (Gal. 3:18).
 - Isaac was born Abraham’s heir (Gen. 21:10), but Ishmael could not share in this inheritance.
 - The Judaizers were trying to make Hagar a mother again, while Paul was in spiritual warfare for his converts that they might become more like Christ.
 - No amount of religion or legislation can give the dead sinner life. Only Christ can do that through the Gospel.

Hagar gave birth to a slave. Ishmael was “a wild man” (Gen. 16:12), and even though he was a slave, nobody could control him, including his mother.
 - Like Ishmael, the old nature (the flesh) is at war with God, and the Law cannot change or control it.
 - By nature, the Spirit and the flesh are “contrary the one to the other” (Gal. 5:17), and no amount of religious activity is going to change the picture.
 - Whoever chooses Hagar (Law) for his mother is going to experience bondage (Gal. 4:8–11, 22–25, 30–31; 5:1). But whoever chooses Sarah (grace) for his mother is going to enjoy liberty in Christ.
 - God wants His children to be free (Gal. 5:1).

Hagar was cast out. It was Sarah who gave the order: “Cast out this bondwoman and her son” (Gen. 21:9–10), and God subsequently approved it (Gen. 21:12).
 - Ishmael had been in the home for at least seventeen years, but his stay was not to be permanent; eventually he had to be cast out.
 - There was not room in the household for Hagar and Ishmael with Sarah and Isaac; one pair had to go.

- It is impossible for Law and grace, the flesh and the Spirit, to compromise and stay together.
 - God did not ask Hagar and Ishmael to make occasional visits to the home; the break was permanent.
 - The Judaizers in Paul’s day—and in our own day—are trying to reconcile Sarah and Hagar, and Isaac and Ishmael; such reconciliation is contrary to the Word of God.
 - It is impossible to mix Law and grace, faith and works, God’s gift of righteousness and man’s attempts to earn righteousness.

Hagar was not married again. God never gave the Law to any other nation or people, including His church. For the Judaizers to impose the Law on the Galatian Christians was to oppose the very plan of God.
 - In Paul’s day, the nation of Israel was under bondage to the Law, while the church was enjoying liberty under the gracious rule of the “Jerusalem which is above” (Gal. 4:26).
 - The Judaizers wanted to “wed” Mt. Sinai and the heavenly Mt. Zion (Heb. 12:22), but to do this would be to deny what Jesus did on Mt. Calvary (Gal. 2:21). Hagar is not to be married again.

From the human point of view, it might seem cruel that God should command Abraham to send away his own son Ishmael, whom he loved very much.
 - But it was the only solution to the problem, for “the wild man” could never live with the child of promise. In a deeper sense, however, think of what it cost God when He gave His Son to bear the curse of the Law to set us free.
- Abraham’s broken heart meant Isaac’s liberty; God’s giving of His Son means our liberty in Christ.[6]

 - We must keep in mind that legalism does not mean the setting of spiritual standards; it means worshiping these standards and thinking that we are spiritual because we obey them.
 - It also means judging other believers on the basis of these standards.
 - A person can refrain from smoking, drinking, and attending theaters, for example, and still not be spiritual. The Pharisees had high standards; yet they crucified Jesus.[7]
- Legalism is one of the major problems among Christians today.
 
Galatians 4:31 - Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of a slave but of the free woman.[8]

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 697). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Ga 4:21). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ga 4:21–31). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 709). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[5] George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, p. 338). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[6] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, pp. 709–711). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 712). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[8] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ga 4:31). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

Paul uses six different arguments to prove that God saves sinners through faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law.

1. He begins with the personal argument (Gal. 3:1–5) in which he asks the Galatians to recall their personal experience with Christ when they were saved.
2. Then he moves into the scriptural argument (Gal. 3:6–14), in which he quotes six Old Testament passages to prove his point.
3. In the logical argument (Gal. 3:15–29) he reasons with his readers on the basis of what a covenant is and how a covenant works.
4. He then presents the historical argument (Gal. 4:1–11), explaining the place of Law in the history of Israel.
5. At this point, Paul’s love for his converts comes to the surface. The result is a sentimental argument (Gal. 4:12–18) as the apostle appeals to them to remember his love and their happy relationship in days past.
6. But then Paul goes right back to his close reasoning, and concludes with the allegorical argument (Gal. 4:19–31), based on the life of Abraham and his relationships with Sarah and Hagar.

• Practical application of his doctrinal argument follows in the last two chapters.[1]

Galatians 4
1 Now I say that as long as the heir is a child, he differs in no way from a slave, though he is the owner of everything. 2 Instead, he is under guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were in slavery under the elements of the world.
- In this section of the text, Paul draws a contrast between sons and slaves.
 - In doing so, he aims to help the Galatians understand that reliance on the law is a sign not of maturity, but of immaturity.
 - In contrast to the law, faith in Christ produces children who become heirs of God’s promises.[2]
 - One of the tragedies of legalism is that it gives the appearance of spiritual maturity when, in reality, it leads the believer back into a “second childhood” of Christian experience.[3]
 - Their motives may be right, but their methods are wrong.
 - Their old nature felt an attraction for the Law because the Law enabled them to do things and measure external results.
 - As they measured themselves and their achievements, they felt a sense of accomplishment, and, no doubt, a little bit of pride.
 - They thought they were going forward when actually they were regressing.[4]
 - Once I flew a plane. “I was flying pretty aimlessly because I thought I was heading in the right direction. That’s the bad news. But the good news is that we are making very good time.”
4 When the time came to completion, God sent his Son,
 - God sent his Son not just from Galilee to Jerusalem, nor just from the manger to the cross, but all the way from heaven to earth.
 - The full implications of this text can hardly be grasped in human language.
 - In sending Jesus, God did not send a substitute or a surrogate. He came himself.[5]
born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
 - Jesus was born incarnate… He did things that resembled His mother.
 - as a Jew… under the Law.
6 And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then God has made you an heir.
- Intimately
 - I John 2:12-13 - I am writing to you, little children,
since your sins have been forgiven
on account of his name.
13 I am writing to you, fathers,
because you have come to know
the one who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
because you have conquered the evil one.[6]

- An intimacy with the Creator. The One who started it all. The One who is from the very beginning.

- It is unfortunate that many translations of the New Testament do not make a distinction between children of God and sons of God.
 - We are the children of God by faith in Christ, born into God’s family.
 - But every child of God is automatically placed into the family as a son, and as a son he has all the legal rights and privileges of a son.
 - When a sinner trusts Christ and is saved, as far as his condition is concerned, he is a “spiritual babe” who needs to grow (1 Peter 2:2–3);
 - but as far as his position is concerned, he is an adult son who can draw on the Father’s wealth and who can exercise all the wonderful privileges of sonship.
 -
The Child
The Son

-by regeneration
-by adoption

-entering the family
-enjoying the family

-under guardians
-the liberty of an adult

-cannot inherit
-an heir to the Father[7]

8 But in the past, when you didn’t know God, you were enslaved to things that by nature are not gods. 9 But now, since you know God, or rather have become known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and bankrupt elemental forces? Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again?
 - The Law could never give a person God’s nature within.
 - All it could do was reveal to the person his desperate need for God’s nature.
 - So, when the believer goes back into Law, he is denying the very divine nature within, and he is giving the flesh opportunity to go to work.[8]

10 You observe special days, months, seasons, and years. 11 I am fearful for you, that perhaps my labor for you has been wasted.
 - Celebrating one day out of the year, when it is an everyday journey!
 - You fight for the term “Merry Christmas”.
 - There is a better way to communicate Jesus.
 - Jesus is the reason for the season… come on…
 - Romans 14:5 - One person judges one day to be more important than another day. Someone else judges every day to be the same. Let each one be fully convinced in his own mind.[9]

1. At this point, Paul’s love for his converts comes to the surface. The result is a sentimental argument (Gal. 4:12–18) as the apostle appeals to them to remember his love and their happy relationship in days past.

12 I beg you, brothers: Become like me, for I also became like you. You have not wronged me; 13 you know that previously I preached the gospel to you because of a physical illness. 14 You did not despise or reject me though my physical condition was a trial for you. On the contrary, you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.
 - Paul was no felt board character wearing pastel colors with a nicely trimmed beard and pale skin.
 - That dude had something atrociously wrong with him.

• Malaria, epilepsy, eye issue.
• You don’t mention something terrible about yourself if it is just a slight issue. But when it is absolutely noticeable, you talk about it too!
• There is definitely a following of teachers.
• It is not only because of what the student receives from the message, but also the experience with the teacher.
• The task of the spiritual leader is to get people to love and follow Christ, not to promote himself and his ministry.[10]
• Take what I teach and compare it to others, but only after you compare it to the Word of God.
• Not for the sake of making one better, but for the sake of being able to filter Truth.

15 What happened to this sense of being blessed you had? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 They are enthusiastic about you, but not for any good. Instead, they want to isolate you so you will be enthusiastic about them.
 - Create divisiveness.
 - One of Satan’s greatest plans of attack.

18 Now it is always good to be enthusiastic about good—and not just when I am with you. 19 My children, I am again suffering labor pains for you until Christ is formed in you. 20 I would like to be with you right now and change my tone of voice, because I don’t know what to do about you.[11]
 - Paul’s tone of voice changes in the letter from a harsh warning to a caring parent, in the form of a mother!
 - They had not lost the experience of salvation—they were still Christians;
 - But they were losing the enjoyment of their salvation and finding satisfaction in their works instead.
 - Sad to say, they did not realize their losses.[12]
 - Have you ever been at a loss of words for someone because they are not in a place to hear your words?
 - The person is so consumed by their own situation, whether it be love, pride or selfishness… they can’t hear you?
 - Or worst yet… they refuse to listen.
 - Paul loves the Galatians and wants nothing but the best for them.

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 697). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Ga 4:1–7). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 705). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 705). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[5] George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, p. 302). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Jn 2:12–13). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 706). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[8] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 706). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[9] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ro 14:5). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[10] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 708). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[11] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Ga 4:1-20). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[12] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 708). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.