Chapter 16 - As Children of God, We are Free

Chapter 16

AS CHILDREN OF GOD WE ARE FREE

(Galatians 4:1-7)

Let us open our study with prayer,

Dear Heavenly Father,

We come before You in the Name of Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Father God, please open our eyes, ears and heart so we can better understand our new position in Jesus Christ. Help us to receive and accept the fact that we are Your children, born a new of the Holy Spirit and members of Your Household. Help us to see that as Your child we have received all the privileges that belong to the members of Your family.

Amen

INTRODUCTION

In our previous study we saw that, through faith in Jesus Christ, we became children of God and heirs of eternal life. Consequently, we are also recipients of the promise given to Abraham. To refresh our memories let us read from,

Galatians 3:26-29

"[26] You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, [27] for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. [28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. [29] If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

Now that we see and understand that the born again believer in Jesus Christ is a child of God, the Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, reveals the glorious freedom we have in this exalted position. To see this let us read from,

Galatians 4:1-7

"[1] What 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. [2] He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. [3] So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. [4] But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, [5] to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. [6] Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." [7] So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir."

Perhaps the best way for us to see and appreciate the significance of what we just read would be to return and examine, in more depth, each of the above Scriptures. To do this let us begin with,

GALATIANS 4:1-2

In these verses we find the illustration of a young child who is to inherit his parent's possessions and/or business. While the child is young he has yet to be given the freedom as a true owner of these things. Instead the young child is placed under the authority of a guardian, nanny or teacher to watch over him. This guardian is to correct, teach and discipline the child till the time that the child is ready to be given his rightful status or position as an heir. In other words, the Law was given to teach, correct and discipline mankind till the time arrived for the Messiah to come and bring us to our rightful position as children of God. To amplify upon this, let us read from,

GALATIANS 4:3

"[3] So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world."

As we reflect upon the above verse, one is left with the question of: "What are these basic principles of the world?" A clue to the answer of this question comes to us in,

Colossians 2:20-21

"[20] Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: [21] "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"?"

Namely, the basic principles of this world relates to the do's and don'ts of the Law. To see this let us first look to,

THE CEREMONIAL LAW

As we study the ceremonial law we find there were,

FOODS THAT WERE CEREMONIALLY UNCLEAN

To see this let us read from,

Leviticus 11:1-8

"[1] The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, [2] "Say to the Israelites: 'Of all the animals that live on land, these are the ones you may eat: [3] You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud. [4] "'There are some that only chew the cud or only have a split hoof, but you must not eat them. The camel, though it chews the cud, does not have a split hoof; it is ceremonially unclean for you. [5] The coney, though it chews the cud, does not have a split hoof; it is unclean for you. [6] The rabbit, though it chews the cud, does not have a split hoof; it is unclean for you. [7] And the pig, though it has a split hoof completely divided, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. [8] You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you."

As we study the Scriptures we discover that these animals were ceremonially unclean, that is they were not unclean of themselves. Specifically, the Scripture is not teaching us that these animals or other animals were unclean. In fact our Lord Jesus Christ teaches us that all foods are clean. This is recorded for us in,

Mark 7:17-23

"[17] After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable. [18] "Are you so dull?" he asked. "Don't you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him 'unclean'? [19] For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body." (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods "clean.") [20] He went on: "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.' [21] For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, [22] greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. [23] All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.'""

Let us notice the following verses,

18 … No food entering a person from the outside makes that person unclean.

19(b) … Jesus declared all foods clean.

20-23 … It is what comes out of a person that makes them unclean. In other words, it is the sinful desires within a person's heart that makes that person unclean.

This does leave us with the question of: "What was the purpose for the law of foods?" The answer to this question lies in,

Leviticus 20:22-26

""'[22] Keep all my decrees and laws and follow them, so that the land where I am bringing you to live may not vomit you out. [23] You must not live according to the customs of the nations I am going to drive out before you. Because they did all these things, I abhorred them. [24] But I said to you, "You will possess their land; I will give it to you as an inheritance, a land flowing with milk and honey." I am the LORD your God, who has set you apart from the nations. [25] "'You must therefore make a distinction between clean and unclean animals and between unclean and clean birds. Do not defile yourselves by any animal or bird or anything that moves along the ground--those which I have set apart as unclean for you. [26] You are to be holy to me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own."

The key verses are 23 and 26.. In other words, God was using the eating of foods to physically illustrate to the people of Israel that they were His. Thus, they were not to live according to the ways of those that were under His wrath. The separation of foods was an everyday visible example that the Israelites were to be different. That is, they were not to partake of the evil or sinful customs of the other nations. Thus, God was using a basic principle of the world; in this case it was the eating of food, to constantly remind the people of Israel that they belong to Him.

As we continue reading about the ceremonial law we find that God also instituted what is called,

THE SACRIFICIAL SYSTEM

For an example of this system, let us read an excerpt from the requirements of the sin offering in,

Leviticus 4:27-31

""'If a member of the community sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the Lord's commands, he is guilty. [28] When he is made aware of the sin he committed, he must bring as his offering for the sin he committed a female goat without defect. [29] He is to lay his hand on the head of the sin offering and slaughter it at the place of the burnt offering. [30] Then the priest is to take some of the blood with his finger and put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering and pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. [31] He shall remove all the fat, just as the fat is removed from the fellowship offering, and the priest shall burn it on the altar as an aroma pleasing to the LORD. In this way the priest will make atonement for him, and he will be forgiven."

As we saw earlier the purpose of this law was to teach us that the penalty for sin is death. In the case of the Old Testament, it was through the death of the animal that God was teaching the Israelite of how grievous their sin was. This was also a foreshadowing to teach us about the fact that Jesus Christ died on the cross to make atonement for our sins. Through faith in Him and the sacrifice He made we are forgiven of our sins and freed from its penalty, which is death. Hence, in Jesus Christ we will receive the promised gift of eternal life. To see this let us read from,

John 3:16-17

[16] For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. [17] For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Thus we find that God used the sacrificial system to teach the people of the Old Testament and now us about the coming Messiah. And, as we just read, the Messiah, who is Jesus Christ, came to save us from our sins and bring with Him the promised eternal life. In other words, God was using basic principles of the world to instruct the Israelites and now us about the horror and penalty of sin. He did this so we would look forward to and cherish the arrival of our Lord and Savior.

As we read the Old Testament we find that in addition to the Ceremonial Law there was,

THE MORAL LAW

In previous studies we saw that one of the purposes of the Moral Law was to teach us about the sin dwelling within us, which is our sin nature. To refresh our memories let us read from,

Romans 3:20

"[20] Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin."

Thus we find that God was using basic principles of right and wrong as a tutor to keep mankind from total anarchy until the Messiah would come to set us free from this law of sin and death and bring us into the law of life in the Holy Spirit. To see this let us read from,

Romans 8:2

"[2] … through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death."

This brings us to,

GALATIANS 4:4-5

"[4] But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, [5] to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons."

As we reflect upon verse 4, we find there are at least two significant points being made. The first point is that,

JESUS CHRIST WAS BORN OF A WOMAN

In other words Jesus is not only our Lord and God but He was a physical man. To refresh our memories of this fact let us read about His birth in,

Matthew 1:18-25

"[18] This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. [19] Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. [20] But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. [21] She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." [22] All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: [23] "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" --which means, "God with us." [24] When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. [25] But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus."

Let us notice the following verses,

19 … Since Joseph had no relations with Mary; he had full intention of separating himself from Mary. In other words, Joseph thought Mary had cheated on him.

20 … By telling him the child in Mary was from Him, God the Holy Spirit, God stopped Joseph’s plan. In other words, Mary's conception was not from man but from God. The significance of this is that even though Jesus came to this earth as a man, His lineage is from God. That is, Jesus Christ is our Lord and God.

21 … Jesus came to this earth to save you and I from our sins.

22-23 … Since Jesus is God; His would be called Immanuel, which means God with us.

24-25 … Joseph had no relations with Mary till after Jesus was born.

The second point made in verse 4 is that,

JESUS WAS BORN UNDER THE LAW

Perhaps the best way to see this is by example. First we find that,

JESUS WAS CIRCUMCISED

According to the law, after eight days a boy born in Israel had to be circumcised (Leviticus 12:1-3). Hence, Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day after His birth. This is recorded for us in,

Luke 2:21

"[21] On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived."

As we read the New Testament we find that in accordance with the Law,

JESUS PAID THE TEMPLE TAX

This is recorded for us in,

Matthew 17:24-27

"[24] After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?" [25] "Yes, he does," he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. "What do you think, Simon?" he asked. "From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes--from their own sons or from others?" [26] "From others," Peter answered. "Then the sons are exempt," Jesus said to him. [27] "But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.""

Let us notice the following verses,

24-25(a) … After being questioned by the Temple tax collectors, Peter assured them that Jesus does pay the Temple tax.

25(b)-26 … To illustrate the new privilege Peter was to enjoy, Jesus asked Peter whether or not the kings or rulers exact taxes from their family members. Peter responded by saying that the taxes are not for the ruler’s household but for those outside. Jesus acknowledged that Peter responded correctly by stating that the sons are exempt. In His response, Jesus extended this earthly principle to a Heavenly one. Specifically, since the born again believers are children of God, they are exempt from paying taxes and tithes imposed by God through the Law.

27 … However, to avoid controversy, Jesus obeyed the Law and paid the Temple tax.

We also find that,

JESUS OBSERVED THE HOLY DAYS

As an example let us read about the preparation for His last Passover in,

Luke 22:7-13

"[7] Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. [8] Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover." [9] "Where do you want us to prepare for it?" they asked. [10] He replied, "As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, [11] and say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' [12] He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there." [13] They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover."

For our last example we find that,

JESUS SUBMITTED TO THE AUTHORITY OF THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND SCRIBES

To see this let us read what Jesus said to His disciples when the multitude came, under the authority of the chief priests and scribes, to arrest Him in the garden of Gethsemane.

Matthew 26:47-54

"[47] While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. [48] Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him." [49] Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him. [50] Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for." Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. [51] With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. [52] "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. [53] Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? [54] But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?""

Let us notice the following verse,

53 … Jesus had the freedom and authority to request God the Father’s assistance. Instead, to fulfill the Scriptures and the Law, He submitted to the authority of the chief priests and scribes.

SUMMARY

In fact, Jesus told the people then and us now that He did not come to abolish the Law but fulfill it. To see this let us read from,

Matthew 5:17-18

""[17] Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. [18] I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished."

In considering the above discourse one may ask; “What did Jesus mean?” “What was He telling us?”

Perhaps the best way to answer this question is by reading,

Hebrews 10:1-10

"[1] The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming--not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. [2] If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. [3] But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, [4] because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. [5] Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; [6] with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. [7] Then I said, 'Here I am--it is written about me in the scroll-- I have come to do your will, O God.'" [8] First he said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them" (although the law required them to be made). [9] Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first to establish the second. [10] And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

For this study the key verse is verse 9. In this verse we find that Jesus Christ set aside the first, which is the law of sin and death, and established a new covenant, the law of Spirit and life.

In other words, Jesus came to fulfill the Law for us. In doing this, He redeemed us, who were under the Law. To see this let us read from,

Galatians 4:4-5

"… when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, [5] to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons."

Consequently, we find that,

WE ARE NO LONGER SLAVES BUT SONS

To see this let us read the following Scriptures,

Galatians 4:6-7

"[6] Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." [7] So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.

Since the born again believer in Jesus Christ is a son of God and an heir of eternal life with Him, they also have been,

SET FREE FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH

To see this we begin by reading from,

Romans 8:1-4

[1] There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. [2] For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. [3] For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, [4] that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

With the above blessing in mind let us close this study by reading the following exhortation from,

Galatians 5:13-18

[13] For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. [14] For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” [15] But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! [16] I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. [17] For the flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. [18] But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Shall We Pray?

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