Galatians 4:1-19
J

Freedom As Family vv.1-7

1 Corinthians 7:21-24 “Were you a bondservant[a] when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. 24 So, brothers,[b] in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.”

This is a wonderful way of seeing our inheritance being given to us when we come to age.  In our case, when we go to Christ. 

Freedom From Former Self vv.8-11

1 Corinthians 10:20 “No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons.”

The number one thing Satan wants you to do is to turn back to your former ways.  He wants you to fall out of fellowship.  He wants you to become legalistic.  He wants you to run to the comforts of your sinful past.  Paul is calling us to flee from our former self, to run toward Christ, where true freedom is found. 

The Galatians held to paganism before Paul’s missionary journey.  So returning to a Jewish Law would be like returning to the slavery of paganism. 

Freedom Formed by Christ v.19

Why is Paul so frustrated here?  Because he knows the joy of freedom found in Jesus, not in the works of the law that these people are trying to take the Galatians captive into.  Why do we hurt for others?  Because we know the truth and have been formed in Christ.  It is almost as if we are in the waiting room of the hospital waiting to see a loved one give birth.  When we are born again, we are free!  (Example of someone seeing their child born)