1What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father.
Even though we are heirs of god, when as children we still need to submit to authorities that god has entusted us upon i.e.: our earthly parents, spiritual leaders etc. Being older, they would have more experience and are wiser.
Paul's concern for the Galatians
8Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? 10You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!
This refers to christians who still observe certain traditions and festivals of their ancestors which are linked to superstitions or other strongholds from their past. Astrology, horoscope, superstition and fengshui are some examples of things which we have allowed to control our lives.
Always look to our maker - God for decisions. We want to please Him in all that we do. Remmember, we are covered by the blood of Jesus!
Hagar and Sarah
Paul writes about Ishmael and Isaac born of two woman, but fathered by Abraham. Ishmael was a result of Sarah's unbelief that God would give her descendants despite His promise through the words of an angel. (She told her servant, Hagar who was younger to lie with Abraham such that she may conceive a child).
Isaac was a child born out of God's promise to give Abraham and Sarah a child despite her old age.
We are the modern day Isaac and are born out of freedom and thus should not be enslaved in slavery. Be joyful and rejoice living as princes and princesses of God! =)
Galatians 5
Freedom in Christ
4You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. 6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
Paul addresses the issue of circumcision. During Old Testament times, every male born had to be circumcised as it represented an act of being set apart and holy for the Lord. However in New Testament, when Jesus had died on the cross, it was an act of love and grace which wiped out the system of circumcision. Thus everyone is equal in God's eyes circumcised or not.
13You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature[d]; rather, serve one another in love. 14The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."[e] 15If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
Paul warns the people against engaging in sinful activity with the full knowledge that Jesus had already died on the cross for out past, present and future sins. Indeed, all the more so, we should live a holy life out of awe, fear and gratefulness for God's grace which was given freely!
The most important command is summed up as 'love your neighbour as yourself'. Let's learn to love others just as christ loved the churc, glorifying God in all we do.
I pray for us that we might catch the heart of Jesus and be as compassionate as He is, loving others as He does.
Life by the Spirit
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Let's live our lives according to the Fruit of the Spirit.
Misconception: Often people refer to "love joy peace patience kindness goodness faithfulness gentleness and self control" as many fruits. However, these characteristics actually sum up to only one Fruit. Think of them as seeds that together form a fruit.
Galatians 6
Doing Good to All
1Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Helping our fellow brothers and sisterd who are in need is something we should all rise up to. But we must ensure that our own spiritual life is in order, that our walk with God is straight before we attempt to help others. This is very important as we need wisdom from God and must be able to hear him properly if we are to help others.
One thing i learnt in SOL is not to carry each others 'monkeys'. It is crucial to discern between helping our friends or family and allow their problems to step over our heads till we ourselves get sucked into their burdens and both end up drowning in defeat.
Not Circumcision but a New Creation
13Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. 14May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which[g] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation.
The only thing we should be boasting about is having the love of Jesus Christ in us, that we know and understand God as He sent himself in the flesh as His son, Jesus to die for us on the cross.We are new creations in Christ who has set us free!! =) Praise Him
