Text: Galatians 4:1-18 (NASB)
Introduction: Many well-meaning Christians today get involved in legalism in a desire to become better Christians. Legalism means "a relationship that is governed by rules or by law."
Their motives may be right, but their method is wrong.
At Galatia, these young converts, whom the Apostle Paul had, lead to Christ, were being assaulted by the Judaizers who told them unless they kept the law, they could never grow or be spiritual. As they measured their performance; they thought themselves making good progress, and no doubt, felt a sense of pride within. Instead of going forward, as they believed, they were in truth going nowhere.
Such people are in a situation similar to the airplane passengers who heard their pilot announce: "Our navigator has lost our position, folks, and we have been flying rather aimlessly for over an hour. That is the bad news. But the good news is that we are making very good time."
Legalism will never ever bring us spiritual growth. It will only bind us to its rules and regulations. The Scripture makes it plain.
John 8:31-36 (NASB)
Romans 8:2-4 (AMP)
The believer lives a righteous life, not in the power of the law, but in the power of the Holy Spirit. The law does not have the power to produce holiness; it can only reveal and condemn sin. However, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit enables you to walk in obedience to God’s will.
In the Holy Spirit, we have life and liberty. The legalist tries to obey God in his own strength and fails to measure up to the righteousness God demands.
However, the Spirit-led Christian, as he yields to the LORD experiences the sanctifying work of the Spirit in his life.
Philippians 2:13 (NASB)
It is this fact that leads to the freedom we enjoy as Christians.
In our text the Scriptures gives us some reasons why we do not need legalism to live the Christian life. We have all we need in Christ Jesus our Savior!
I want to speak on this subject, "Living as a Slave, When You Are a Son."
Many live as slaves and not as children that have been adopted in to the Family of God.
I. They do not appreciate their adoption into the Family of God
A. Galatians 4:1-7 (NASB)
B. The meaning of adoption
1. One of the greatest blessings of being born-again is that we have been adopted.
2. Ephesians 1:1-7 (NASB)
3. In the New Testament, the word "adoption" means "to place as an adult son."
4. We do not become part of God’s family by adoption.
5. However, we do become part of God’s family by spiritual regeneration.
6. John 3:3-5 (NASB)
7. But once we are regenerated-"born-again"-God "adopts" us.
8. We are given all the privileges of an adult son.
9. The Jewish child, though he might be heir to a vast fortune, could not enjoy it until he reached maturity.
10. The Greek word here for "child" means "one of tender years," which is in stark contrast to one of full age.
11. While in this condition, the immature child is according to verse 1 of our text "does not differ at all from a slave"
12. He is lord of all by birthright and title, but has no rights over it until he reaches full age.
13. Israel under the law was but a child, an immature one who can neither speak for himself nor govern his own actions.
14. Both a person and his property was guarded by tutors and governors until the time previously fixed by his father.
15. In verse 3 of our text the Scripture exclaims that, “while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world.”
16. The word "children" here means "not speaking, an infant, or a minor. A simple-minded person."
17. This was the spiritual condition of the Jews under the age of the Law.
18. Therefore, when these Judaizers were trying to lead the Galatians back into legalism, they were leading them not only into religious bondage, but also into moral and spiritual infancy and immaturity.
C. The majesty of adoption
1. One dictionary defined the word majesty as “exalted dignity, stateliness; grandeur.”
2. All of us were in bondage to the "law of sin and death" until we by faith accepted God’s offer of grace!
3. Then were we made free!
4. Then were we adopted.
5. Galatians 4:7 (NASB)
6. When a sinner trusts Christ as his Savior, and is saved, as far as his condition is concerned, he is a "babe" spiritually who needs to grow; but as far as his position is concerned, he is an adult son who can draw on the Father’s wealth and exercise all the wonderful privileges of son ship.
7. We do not have to wait to enjoy all the spiritual riches we have in Christ.
8. Galatians 4:7 (NLT)
9. We can enjoy them here and now!
10. But many instead of enjoying the new life and freedom they have in Christ, "go [ing) about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God"
11. Romans 10:3 (NASB)
12. They are proud of their works and their "keeping" of the law, but are like Israel, without God, it profits them nothing!
13. Someone has said, "When the rules rule us they ruin us."
14. These Galatian believers thought by keep a set of rules and ceremonies that they would become more righteous, but were, in fact, enslaving themselves to the rules and ceremonies they sought to keep!
II. They do not acknowledge the Spirit’s authority in their lives.
A. Galatians 4:6 (NASB)
B. A relationship gained
1. Galatians 4:4-5 (NASB)
2. These two verses of scripture explain that Christ came in order that we might be redeemed and receive the adoption of sons.
3. In Christ, we take our position as the Children of God.
4. "That we might receive the adoption of sons" in verse 5 implies family likeness with its position, privilege, and prestige.
5. Being born-again gives us our relationship with God, but adoption gives us our position we enjoy in God.
6. 1st John 3:1-2 (AMP)
C. A reality given.
1. How was our redemption and adoption made a reality?
2. Through the Spirit of God!
3. The contrast between slaves and sons can easily be seen:
D. The Son has the same nature as the Father but the slave does not.
1. When we trusted Christ as our Savior, the Holy Spirit came to indwell and live in us.
2. Because of that, we become partakers of the divine nature of God our Father.
3. 2nd Peter 1:2-4 (NASB)
4. The law with all its rules and requirements could never do that.
5. Its purpose was to show a person what a desperate condition he was really in.
6. When a believer goes back to the law, he is denying that very nature of God within him, and giving the "old man"-the flesh an opportunity to work in his life.
7. Galatians 5:16
E. The Son has a Father while the slave has a master.
1. It was not proper or allowed for a servant to call his master "father."
2. However, when we receive Christ as our Savior, the Holy Spirit assures us that we are "Children of God."
3. Romans 8: 15-17 (NASB)
4. 1st John 4:13-15 (NASB)
5. When God’s Spirit comes in our hearts, then we can cry "Abba, Father".
6. The word "Abba" means "Papa or daddy".
7. It shows us the closeness we can now enjoy with our heavenly Father!
8. A slave can never have this or know this!
F. The son obeys out of love while the slave obeys out of fear.
1. God’s Spirit works in our hearts to "quicken" and increase our love for God.
2. Romans 5:5 (NASB)
3. These Judaizers fooled these Galatians into believing they would become better Christians if they submitted themselves to the Law.
4. However, we know that the Law can never bring obedience; it can only bind us to its regulations.
5. Only love can bring obedience.
6. John 14:15 (NASB)
7. Someone has said, "Service is love made visible."
G. The Son is rich but the slave is poor.
1. Verse 7 of our text tells us we are "sons and heirs."
2. We have an inheritance.
3. In addition, because of our adoption we can begin drawing on that inheritance right now!
4. God has given to us the "riches of His grace."
5. Ephesians 1:7-12 (NASB)
6. Ephesians 2:4-7 (NASB)
7. God has given us the riches of His glory
8. Philippians 4:19 (NASB)
9. God has given us the riches of His kindness.
10. Romans 2:4 (NASB)
11. God has given us the riches of His great wisdom.
12. Romans 11:33 (NASB)
13. All of the riches of God are found in Christ Jesus.
14. Oh, how many "poor" Christians do we see among us that try to please God in the flesh instead of drawing on the "unsearchable riches" of Christ!
15. It is when we acknowledge the Spirit’s authority in our lives that we can enjoy our sonship and quit living like a slave!
III. They allow themselves to be governed by the principles of the world instead of the principles of the Word of God.
A. Galatians 4:8-14 (NASB)
B. A faithful proclamation
1. The apostle Paul had faithfully preached and given them instruction from God’s Word.
2. Now, they were turning from the grace preaching by Paul to the law.
3. Why?
4. Because they had abandoned liberty for bondage.
5. Before they were saved, they served their false, pagan gods to their detriment.
6. Now they, after being delivered from slavery, were abandoning their liberty in Christ and going back into bondage.
7. The scriptures declare in verse 9 of our text “how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?”
8. The word "weak and worthless" in the Greek NT mean "poverty-stricken, powerless to enrich."
9. Paul weeps over these believers because they are abandoning liberty for bondage, power for weakness, and wealth for poverty.
10. How?
11. By going after the rules and bondage of legalism.
12. Galatians 4:10 (NASB)
C. A fatal practice
1. Any thing we observe or do to try and gain spiritual merit is sin!
2. It becomes the world’s way.
3. Trying to be acceptable to God by keeping rules and regulations, instead of following the principles of the Word and the leadership of the Spirit!
4. Many Churches today have many different observances and practices that they believe lead people to a higher plane of spirituality, but if we are not led by the Spirit in a thing, we had better not do it!
5. Why?
6. Because all legalism does is cater to the flesh, lead to pride, and make the outward act a substitute for the inward experience.
7. Colossians 2:20-23 (NASB)
8. None of us becomes more spiritual by keeping a set of rules, or observing special days, but by following under the leadership of God’s Spirit in our lives.
IV. They have their affection and attention averted.
A. Galatians 4:15-18 (NASB)
B. A love averted
1. The apostle Paul had been a wonderful spiritual father unto these Galatians.
2. They had accepted his rebuke borne out of love with much patience.
3. They, at one time, were willing to sacrifice anything for Paul (vl5b) and had a great love for him and the things of God; but now he had become their enemy (v16).
4. These Judaizers had come, stolen their affection, and taken their attention from Paul and the grace he preached.
5. Paul asks, “Where then is that sense of blessing you had?”
6. Where is the joy, happiness, and enthusiasm you had when I preached Christ unto you and you believed and where released from bondage unto God’s grace?
7. Legalism had robbed them of the blessings of Grace.
C. A lost awareness.
1. Today there is a falling away or wandering from the simplicity of the gospel to the bondage of legalism: the observing of days, seasons, and rituals.
2. When a person despises the doctrine of pure grace, he throws away the blessing only God’s grace can give.
3. The legalist attempts to promote himself and his ministry, but the true man of God attempts to get people to follow Christ and love Him.
4. We must beware of anyone who desires complete allegiance because only he is right (v17)!
5. Christ is the one all believers owe their allegiance too!
6. Paul’s desire was that these Galatians be zealously affected in a good thing (vl8).
7. That good thing is for all Christians to be zealous and persistent and consistent in what God has saved each of us for; that is, to seek the lost for Christ!
8. This differs much from legalism that seeks only the gratification of self, not the welfare of others!
Conclusion: The apostle Paul had proved his love for them by telling them the truth. Proverbs 27:6 (NASB)
However, they would not accept it. They were enjoying the "kisses" of the Judaizers, not realizing that these kisses were leading into bondage and sorrow. Christ had made them sons and heirs, but they were rapidly becoming slaves and beggars
Many Christians today are falling into legalism-the principles’ of the world-instead of following the principles of the Word in an attempt to grow more spiritual. The Galatians had not lost the experience of Salvation-they were still sons-but they were losing the enjoyment of their salvation by finding satisfaction in their works instead. Therefore, not even knowing it, they were putting themselves in bondage once again. WE do not become better Christians by substituting the LAW for GRACE, and religious deeds of the flesh for the fruit of the Spirit. All we do is become slaves and are not able to enjoy the freedom we have as the sons of God! Are you living as a slave when you are really a son or a daughter? Is your Christian life moving forward in liberty or backward into bondage?
