INTRODUCTION
In our society, everything is merit-based. We get promoted based on how well we perform on the job. Our children are rewarded with an “A” when they work hard in school. The result of our performance makes us want to “do our best;” however, this want is based on what the world expects. Because of these worldly expectations, we have difficulty understanding the TRUTH, that our salvation is FREE, given by grace, through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
In the previous lesson from Galatians 3 (Wednesday night), we spoke of how Paul’s letter to the church at Galatia was intended to keep them from moving further away from the truth. In the fourth chapter, Paul reminds the Galatians that before they knew God, they had been slaves to pagan gods (Gal 4:8-9), and that they are NOT the children of bondage, but of freedom (4:31).
In this chapter, we begin to DISCERN the differences between legalism and freedom that comes with responsibility, EXPERIENCE freedom as trusting in the work of Christ rather than our own efforts for salvation and CHOOSE a life of freedom in Christ that is guided by serving and loving others with humility.
