April 23, 2014

WHY DO YOU DO THE THINGS YOU DO AND WHO DO YOU DO THEM FOR?

Galatians 4:13–31

Jessica Nokes
Wednesday's Devo

April 23, 2014

Wednesday's Devo

April 23, 2014

Central Truth

Who we are in Christ should be determined by what God has done through Jesus (grace), not by what we do for God (fulfillment of rules or our own works).

Key Verse | Galatians 4:31

So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman. (Galatians 4:31)

Galatians 4:13–31

13 You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, 14 and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. 15 What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? 1 4:16 Or by dealing truthfully with you 17 They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. 18 It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, 19 my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! 20 I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

Example of Hagar and Sarah

21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. 23 But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. 24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; 2 4:25 Some manuscripts For Sinai is a mountain in Arabia she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written,

“Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear;
    break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor!
For the children of the desolate one will be more
    than those of the one who has a husband.”

28 Now you, 3 4:28 Some manuscripts we brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” 31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.

Footnotes

[1] 4:16 Or by dealing truthfully with you
[2] 4:25 Some manuscripts For Sinai is a mountain in Arabia
[3] 4:28 Some manuscripts we

Dive Deeper | Galatians 4:13–31

I am really good at finding shortcuts. My Bachelors required 10 hours of Spanish. I convinced my advisor that I only needed 5, wanting to use my hours for The Literature of Tim O'Brien and Vietnam Vets. End result? I had a great time, but I scraped by that Spanish class with a D. It was fun, but it didn't do my GPA any favors.

In Genesis 15, the Lord promises a childless Abraham a son. In Genesis 16, Abraham takes a shortcut at his wife's suggestion. He ends up with a son. And a home rife with trouble. Almost 15 years later, according to God's plan, Abraham and Sarah conceive the son that He promised them.

Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, contrasts the women who bore sons to Abraham -- Hagar (slave) and Sarah (free woman). He describes Hagar as representing the old covenant (the law), while Sarah represents the new covenant (grace). Ishmael, born of the slave, is a product of Abraham's unbelief, his attempt to fulfill God's promises in his own strength. Isaac, born of a free woman, is a product of faith and God's fulfillment of His promise to Abraham. In both instances, Abraham had a child. But going his own way, instead of waiting for the Lord's provision, caused heartache and despair.

In my head, I know that I can trust the Lord to meet all of my needs and work all things together for good. But my heart, being wicked, wants to challenge the process, find a shortcut, and have an easy life.

Sometimes, this makes me focus on the law and mange my outward appearance of doing good, which leads me to believe that what I do for God makes me right before Him. My focus becomes my own performance while neglecting the motives of my heart.

By contrast, grace-filled living is about what God has done for me through Jesus's death on the cross, and my focus is on Him and having a relationship with Him.

Discussion Questions

1. Is your relationship with God based on your own works or on the works of His promises?

2. Where are you not trusting God's promises and making your own way by taking shortcuts?

3. Do you have community who encourages you towards grace-filled living and holds you accountable?

4. If you don't have community, what is your plan to engage in one?