Galatians 4:21-5:1
"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 as 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. Stand fast, therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage," Galatians 4:21-5:1.
When Paul wrote this epistle to the Galatians, the New Testament was still in the process of being written. The Scriptures Paul would use to convince others would be the Old Testament. Jesus Christ and others also used the Old Testament Scriptures. "And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself," Luke 24:27. "And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?" Luke 24:32. "And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures," Luke 24:44-45. In John 5 when Jesus Christ healed the lame man at the pool of Bethesda, the Jews sought to kill Jesus Christ because He healed on the Sabbath day. They even questioned who Jesus was and by what authority would He do this miracle. Notice what Christ said in John 5:39, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."
The Judaizers would know the Old Testament Scriptures. Paul also knew the Scriptures. Paul had the equivalent of three doctoral degrees in theology. When the Lord saved Paul, those Scriptures came to life in Paul's mind and heart. He could plainly see the Scriptures pointed to Jesus Christ as the Messiah that was to come. Turn to Acts 9:20-22. Paul used the Scriptures to confound the Jews, and to prove that Jesus is the Christ. "And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ," Acts 17:2-3. Apollos also preached Christ from the Scriptures. Turn to Acts 17:24-28. "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope," Romans 15:4. "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures: And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures," I Corinthians 15:3-4. From Genesis to Revelation, the scriptures point to Jesus Christ.
The Old Testament Scriptures always pointed to the coming Messiah for the forgiveness of sins, deliverance from the wrath of God, and eternal life. The Levitical system was types and pictures of the One to come. The Law of Moses was a school master (Galatians 3:24). The Judaizers had so influenced the Galatians that what Paul writes from Galatians 4:21-5:1 would immediately be recognized by the Judaizers, and would again cause the Galatians to examine the Scriptures. "Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?" Galatians 4:21. What does the law say? Simply put, it says you can never earn salvation. You can never earn forgiveness of sins; you can never earn deliverance from the wrath of God; and you can never earn eternal life by doing good works. The law says you are guilty of breaking the law and the consequences of breaking the law is eternity in the torments of hell. No one ever has nor ever will earn their salvation by keeping the law in any way. "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified," Galatians 2:16.
Those who try to use the law to earn their salvation put themselves under bondage; and bring others under bondage. Even today people pick certain parts of the law to try and obey as a means of convincing themselves that they are able to earn their salvation. The law plainly says no, you cannot earn your salvation. The sad part is this type of teaching puts all emphasis on self, and not all on Christ. Christ hath fulfilled the requirements of the law. He lived a sinless life. He went to the cross and paid the sin debt in full for all who have and will believe on Him for salvation. When He saves us, He gives us eternal salvation. He does all this by His grace. No one has ever, nor ever will earn their salvation. How many of you are still trying to earn your forgiveness with God? Do you not hear the law? Stop trying to earn salvation and simply trust the finished work of Christ. The ripple of false doctrine continues to impact people. Have you been impacted by false doctrine? Repent and believe the gospel, and you shall be saved. We are thankful for the truth, and that the truth sets us free.
Please send questions and comments to richardsonbaptistchurch@gmail.com. Soli Deo Gloria.
