4:21–27
Paul used an illustration from the account of Sarah and Hagar to show us the difference between religion and relationship with God.
With religion we get bondage and no spiritual life. With a relationship with God by faith we get spiritual life and freedom.
Paul associated the gospel with the “Jerusalem which is above”. The gospel, and Jesus, and the New Jerusalem are tied together. These are also tied together with the phrase “the faith of Abraham”.
Remember scripture told us that Abraham was like a stranger and a pilgrim in this world system. He was living for something else which he saw by faith. Read Hebrews 11:8–10.
Some Galatians were ready to turn their back on the gospel and return to Jewish legalism. They wanted to put themselves under the law of Moses.
Paul asked them since they wanted to go back under the law did they understand what they were doing? Then he used this account from “the law” to prove his point about the law bringing men under condemnation. Those who are under the law bring themselves under condemnation and spiritual death. The law cannot give spiritual life. The law was put in place because of sin and was to be an instructor pointing us to the Savior Jesus Christ.
These two sons of Abraham illustrate a pattern in the Bible. We often see examples of two men who contrast the flesh and the spirit. We see in the accounts of the patriarchs and their families. There is a brother of the flesh. There is a brother of the spirit. These stand in stark contrast to one another.
This points to the principle of an overcoming remnant within the house of faith. This overcoming remnant are those who walk by faith in God’s promise. They abide in the finished work of Jesus Christ. They are not moved away from the gospel. For them the gospel is more than forgiveness of sins. It also means victory over self, sin, the world, and the devil.
The overcoming remnant is the brother of the spirit. The lazy, unbelieving man in the house of faith is the brother of the flesh. His mind is on his own self-provision, self-protection, and he is more of a self-worshiper than a worshiper of the one true God.
This same pattern can be seen in the parable of the ten virgins. Five were wise and five were foolish. They were all virgins. This pattern can be seen in the phrase “one was taken, one was left.”
We are exhorted to be awake, watching, and praying. We are told to pray that we can be found worthy to “escape all these things which shall come to pass”. Why should we be watching, waiting, and praying unless it will make a difference in whether or not we are raptured or left behind? Let us pray we can be filled with the Spirit and be ready to be caught up together with the Lord.
4:28–31
One point I think is missed here is that both of the sons were of the same family. The brother of the flesh and the brother of the spirit were in the same family. They were in the same house. It is the same in the house of Israel, in the house of the church, and in the house of the kingdom. There are brothers of the flesh and brothers of the spirit. Those who are of the flesh persecute those who are of the spirit.
The first example in the Bible is Cain and Abel. One brother of the flesh and one brother of the spirit. The brother of the flesh persecuted and murdered the brother who walked in the spirit. Nothing has changed. This pattern continues through the Bible and is true today.
The son of the bondwoman, the brother of the flesh, is the one who is cast out by God. He does not inherit the promises of God. He does not inherit the kingdom of God.
People assume because they call themselves Christian or their parents were Christians or because they darken the door of a church that they are good. They think they will inherit the kingdom of God. They won’t! They will be left behind. They will be in outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.
People are still saved through the fire but not have inheritance in the kingdom. I think this loss of reward and loss of crowns will be enough to cause anguish. Thank God one day the Lord will wipe away all our tears. Every tear will be wiped away, even the tears of loss and regret.
I’m not implying everyone is saved and will go to heaven. The only way a man can be saved is to believe in the Lord Jesus, to call on the name of Jesus, and to believe Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, that he was buried, and that he rose again on the third day.
How many people have I known in my life that would profess this and yet their lives were a wreck? I’ve known many people who called on the name of Jesus but there was no evidence of faith in their lives. I’m not judging them. I believe everyone who calls on the Lord should consider that we have the judgment of Christ in front of us. This judgment is about rewards and inheritance. This should be taken very seriously.
Those who believe in the gospel and put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are sons of freedom. We are free in Christ. Do not allow yourselves to be entangled by false religion, idolatry, psychology, humanistic ideas, or a worldly attitude. Instead, be renewed in the spirit of your mind and put on the mind of Jesus Christ. Develop a biblical attitude.