Your Choice: Bondage or Freedom?

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Freedom in Christ- 8

 

TITLE: Your Choice: Bondage or Freedom?

TEXT: Galatians 4:21-31

TONE: Warning

TARGET: Believers

TASK: To warn believers of the dangers of living under the law.

TEACH: If we truly contemplate all the other religions of the world we will soon conclude that there are really only two.

 

The first religion, which comes in countless shapes and variations, is the religion of human effort and merit (Tower of Babel). Those who believe they gain salvation or blessing through some set of religious requirements -something they do, fulfill, accomplish or earn.

 

The second religion is the religion of divine grace and mercy. Adherents of this religion forsake their own merit and rely exclusively on the gracious provision of God, which is based on what He has done for us in Christ.

 

TRUTH: Like a masterful attorney, he uses the Judaizers own methods of argument and biblical interpretation to prove their position. He opens with a question (4:21), provides some historical background from the life of Abraham (4:22-23), then sets forth an allegory in typical Jewish form (4:24-27), ultimately applying the allegory to the Galatians situation (4:28-31). After which, Paul rests his case.

 

Let’s first discuss the….

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I.  Historical Facts

Explanation: At 75 Abraham called by God to go to Canaan and God promises him many descendants (Gen. 12:1-9). At 85 the promised son has not yet arrived and Sarah becomes impatient (Gen. 16:1-3). At 86 Hagar gets pregnant and Sarah get jealous. Things become so difficult at home that Sarah throws Hagar out. Of course, the Lord sends her back and promises to care for her (Gen. 16:4-16). At 99 God speaks with Abraham and promises again that he will have a son by Sarah and says to call his name Isaac (Gen. 17-18). At 100 the son of promise is born (Gen. 21:1-7). They name him Isaac. At 103 it was customary for the Jews to wean, their children at about the age of three. At the feast, Ishmael starts to mock Isaac (Gen. 21:8) and to create trouble in the home.

 

On the surface the story appears to be nothing more than a take of a family problem, but beneath the surface are meanings that carry tremendous spiritual power.

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Second, we look at the…

 

II.                        Spiritual Realities

a.       Two Mothers

Explanation: Paul explains that these two women, the bondwoman Hagar and the free woman Sarah, are illustrations of two covenants. The two mothers and two sons represent two covenants.

 

Hagar is the slave woman. She represents the old covenant and the law. Ishamel was born to her from the flesh, symbolizing human effort and striving. She represents those who live under the law and the bondage, fear, and striving for acceptance it entails.

 

Sarah is the freewoman. She represents the new covenant and promise. Isaac was born of the Spirit, symbolizing grace and divine intervention. Through Sarah we see the implications of living in grace: freedom, acceptance, and the free gift of eternal righteousness.

 

b.      Two Sons

Explanation: Paul tells them that, like Isaac, they are children of promise. Every believer, like Isaac, is supernaturally conceived, miraculously reborn and the offspring of God’s promise to Abraham fulfilled in Christ.

 

The children of promise vs. The children of slavery. The descendants of Hagar are those who live under the law. Relying on human means of salvation.

 

The children of the free woman are the descendants of Sarah who embrace faith in the promises of God.

 

c.       Two Mountains

Explanation: Paul refers to the first Jerusalem as present, showing he had in mind the earthly, historical city by that name. Just as God chose Mount Sinai as the geographical location to give the Old Covenant to Moses, He chose Jerusalem as the geographical location where the Old Covenant would be upheld. The spiritual descendants of Sarah through Isaac, on the other hand, live in the Jerusalem above and are free, because she is our mother.

 

First, Mount Sinai, the Mountain of the Law. The place where the law was given, representing the bondage of legalism.

 

Second, Mount Zion, the Mountain of Grace. The heavenly Jerusalem, symbolizing freedom and the community of God’s people.

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Finally, we will look at the…

 

III.                   Practical Steps

Explanation: There are primary two things here: (1) Stand fast in the liberty from all bondage to the law, and (2) Be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage to the law. Below are practical biblical truths to help you stand fast, be not entangled.

 

1.      We can try to change them. This will fail, for we cannot change either the law or the old nature.

 

2.      We can try to compromise with them. This did not work in Abraham’s home, and neither will it work in our lives. The Galatians were trying to effect such a compromise, but it was only leading them into bondage.

 

3.      We can cast them out. This is what we are supposed to do. First, Paul applied this to the nation of Israel (Gal. 4:25-27): then he applied it to the individual Christian (Warren Weirsbe, Exposition Commentary: Matthew-Galatians, pg. 711). Paul wrote, “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be an heir with the son of the free woman.” 

 

Living under grace instead of the law is a transformative journey that affects every area of a believer’s life. Here are some practical pieces of advice to help you embrace and live out the grace of God.

 

1.      Understand Your Identity in Christ. Your identity is not based on your performance but on God’s love and grace.

 

2.      Claim Your Inheritance. Recognize that you are an heir of God, which means you have access to all the blessings and promises of God.

 

3.      Cultivate Your Relationship with God. Spend time in prayer, not as a duty, but as a conversation with your loving Father. Engage with the Bible daily.

 

4.      Shift Your Mindset. Replace “I have to” with “I get to.” Understand that God desires your heart, not just your actions. Seek to please Him out of love rather than obligation.

 

5.      Embrace Forgiveness. Acknowledge that you are forgiven and that your sins are removed. Do not let guilt or shame keep you from drawing near to God. Make sure you extend forgiveness to others.

 

6.      Live in Community. Surround yourself with fellow believers who emphasize grace rather than legalism. Build each other up in grace.

 

7.      Practice Grace in Your Daily Life. When faced with challenges, practice responding with grace rather than reacting out of fear or obligation. Understand that growth is a process.

 

8.      Focus on the Spirit’s Leading. Cultivate sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s leading in your life. Trust that He will guide you in making decisions that reflect God’s heart. Allow the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.) to manifest in your life.

 

9.      Celebrate Grace. Regularly recount and share stories of how God has shown you grace, both in your life and in the lives of others.

Tie-Up: “It was for freedom that Christ set us free, Paul says, Therefore, keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”

 

 © 2012 - 2025 Blake Gideon. All rights Reserved

Location: Edmond, OK, USA

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