Stand Firm - Standing for Freedom

Galatians 4:21-31 NIV 

[21] Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? [22] For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. [23] His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise. [24] These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. [25] Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. [26] But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. [27] For it is written: “Be glad, barren woman, you who never bore a child; shout for joy and cry aloud, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.” [28] Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. [29] At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. [30] But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.” [31] Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman. 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/gal.4.21-31.NIV)

Galatians 5:1-12 NIV 

[1] It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. [2] Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. [3] Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. [4] You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. [5] For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. [6] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. [7] You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? [8] That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. [9] “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” [10] I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. [11] Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. [12] As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves! 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/gal.5.1-12.NIV)

A few weeks ago, I sat in my in-laws' garden, watching my mother-in-law's brother bravely dismantle Catholic thinking around death and salvation at my father-in-law's wake. He preached powerfully from the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). It was a public setting, and the crowd was largely Catholic, yet he held nothing back.

Often, I get the feeling that preachers in the UK are pressured to hold back, to avoid causing offence, even when addressing issues that shouldn't be offensive. They seem to value ministering in peace over preaching the truth.

Paul was not like that.

In his final, substantiated argument against the Jewish false teachers, Paul pulls no punches. There's no beating around the bush. What we see here is a sharp, potentially offensive, yet profoundly biblical jab at the very theological basis of their argument. He makes an uncompromising point about why relying on our good works for salvation is so wrong. Throughout his stunning diatribe, he makes three key comparisons.

Two Covenants: Slavery vs. Freedom

Galatians 4:21-27 NIV 

[21] Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? [22] For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. [23] His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise. [24] These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. [25] Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. [26] But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. [27] For it is written: “Be glad, barren woman, you who never bore a child; shout for joy and cry aloud, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.” 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/gal.4.21-27.NIV)

Paul begins by challenging those who desire to be under the law, asking if they understand what the law says. He reminds them that Abraham had two sons: one by the slave woman, Hagar, and the other by the free woman, Sarah. The son born of the slave woman was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born as a result of a divine promise.

Paul states that these women are to be taken figuratively, representing two covenants. One covenant, originating from Mount Sinai, bears children who are slaves, and this is Hagar. Hagar, he explains, stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, which is in slavery with its children. But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. Paul quotes scripture: "Be glad, barren woman, you who never bore a child; shout for joy and cry aloud, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband". He then declares that we, like Isaac, are children of promise.

This might sound a little strange to some. What could Paul be talking about? He's referring to two passages in Genesis:

• Genesis 16: Abram and Sarai are old and Sarai is barren. Sarai gives her Egyptian slave, Hagar, to Abram to bear a child, who would then be reckoned as theirs. Hagar, a slave, had no say in this and was exploited. She bore Abram his firstborn son, Ishmael.

  
  

• Genesis 21:1-14: God's promise to Abraham and Sarah is fulfilled, and Sarah gives birth to Isaac at ninety years old. Ishmael mocked Isaac , leading to Sarah demanding that Abraham send Hagar and Ishmael away. God agreed, and Hagar was fired and divorced and her son disinherited on the same day.

  
  

While these events may be highly unsavoury to our modern sensibilities, Paul's point isn't to judge ancient cultures. What he sees are two women representing two covenants.

Paul shockingly associates the Old Covenant—the Jewish law—with Hagar, the Egyptian slave. Why? Because the birth of her child was a result of human effort and ingenuity. This would have deeply offended his Jewish audience, linking them to the mother of the Arab race. He then associates Sarah, Abraham's wife, with the New Covenant of grace. Why? Because her child came about through faith in God’s promise to overcome an insurmountable obstacle.

• Hagar represents works; Sarah represented faith.

• Hagar represented obedience to the law; Sarah represented belief in Jesus Christ.

  
  

Even more shockingly, Paul states that the children of Hagar, of the Old Covenant, were born to be slaves. This means they were born to labor without hope of reward, never escaping their slavery. However, the children of Sarah—the children of faith in the promise—were born to be free.

Paul then introduces Two Mountains:

• Mount Sinai in Arabia: This is where the Old Covenant was received and agreed by the Israelites. This mountain corresponded to the earthly Jerusalem. The covenant made there was broken within forty days. This illustrates how the law, despite its power, could not prevent people from abandoning God. Paul further emphasizes this in Colossians 2:20-23, which states that human commands and teachings, while appearing wise, lack value in restraining sensual indulgence. The earthly Jerusalem, like all earthly cities, is transitory and not eternal.

  
  

• The New Jerusalem: This Jerusalem is from above, permanent, and eternal. In this New Jerusalem, there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain , and nothing impure will enter it (Revelation 21:3-4).

  
  

Paul's contrasts are sharp and searing : two covenants (works vs. grace) , two women (slave vs. free) , and two mountains (moral failure vs. moral transformation).

His conclusions are clear:

• The children of the New Covenant will outnumber those of the Old , which is happening now.

  
  

• The children of the Old Covenant persecute those of the New , a persecution that has continued for two thousand years and still occurs. This persecution isn't just from Jews but from other groups with a "works-not-faith mentality".

  
  

• Those of the New Covenant must be done with the Old Covenant. Obeying the Old Covenant is fruitless slavery, while belief in the New Covenant leads to receiving God's promises.

  
  

For Paul, theology is binary: black or white, in or out, Old or New Covenant. You cannot claim to believe in Jesus Christ while also relying on rituals or religious celebrations for salvation. You either believe in salvation by grace through faith, or you do not. This history and theology lead to a critical question: are we truly saved? Are we relying on God's grace, or on something we can do? This is of eternal significance.

Two States: Freedom vs. Slavery

Galatians 5:1-6 NIV 

[1] It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. [2] Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. [3] Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. [4] You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. [5] For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. [6] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/gal.5.1-6.NIV)

Paul sees salvation as a binary choice , much like binary code. Grace and works are utterly contradictory. He warns about the seriousness of choosing justification and salvation by works:

1. It Burdens with Slavery : Those who choose works are duty-bound to submit to the law and carry out its wishes, even if they will gain nothing from it. Jesus made a similar criticism of the teachers of the Law. Without grace, the Law is burdensome and fruitless, leading only to eternal punishment.

   
   

2. It Cheapens Christ : Seeking salvation through works means "Jesus Christ brings you no benefit". Paul previously stated that if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing. The more we claim our efforts can save us, the less the cross means. If we believe salvation is by our own efforts, Jesus' sacrifice is empty and useless. This is a shocking conclusion. God demonstrated His love by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). Claiming to be righteous on our own terms invalidates the cross and is blasphemous.

   
   

3. It Obligates to Obedience : If one accepts the outward sign of Judaism (circumcision), they are obligated to live like Jews and follow Jewish Law. Yet, even the Jews could not follow their own Law. Choosing to earn salvation through works is signing up for a lifetime of failure.

   
   

4. It Alienates from Christ : This refers to the willful severance of your relationship with Jesus Christ. By rejecting His solution and choosing to do things our way , we attempt to steal the glory that rightfully belongs to Him. This is what Paul describes as "falling from grace".

   
   

While society may argue for nuance, when it comes to salvation, there is only a binary choice: you are either saved or you are not saved". The Bible is plain : "whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). Those who truly believe in Jesus and His sacrifice are saved, but those who try to find any other way to be saved are not. Your eternity depends on this choice.

Two Teachers: Life vs. Destruction

Galatians 5:7-12 NIV 

[7] You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? [8] That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. [9] “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” [10] I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. [11] Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. [12] As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves! 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/gal.5.7-12.NIV)

Paul doesn't hold back, and the sharpness of his words might be alarming. Yet, we should also be comforted and encouraged.

Let me explain to you why. 

Communities in parts of Asia suffer for Western obsession with fast fashion. Dyes used in our clothing are being washed out and pumped into the water supply of poorer people – often the same people who work in the factories that poison their water supplies. It leads to sickness, birth deformities, cancer. 

It’s as far from right as possible. 

What we are looking at here is the spiritual version of poisoning water supply. Something that ought to bring life is perverted to bring death. Paul fights for the Galatians' freedom against those who want to enslave them and lead them to a vain life. He exposes the Jewish false teachers as being five things:

1. Those who Obstruct: The Galatians were "running a good race" for God , but these false teachers "impeded their progress," blocking their way and diverting them from heaven to hell.

   
   

2. Those who Persuade: They don't just debate; they lure people towards their own destruction, who seek to deceive for personal gain, who are like theological Sirens luring unwise souls to be shipwrecked. Unlike Paul's persuasion, which was for the benefit of his listeners, theirs was for the destruction of their listeners.

   
   

3. Those who Pollute: Paul uses the analogy of yeast working through dough, which in Jewish thinking was negative and associated with something to be removed. False teaching, like a pollutant, must not be tolerated as it will affect the whole church.

   
   

4. Those who Confuse: These individuals deliberately target those who are new in the faith and not quite so theologically literate in order to cause confusion and ruin their faith. Jesus warned that false messiahs and prophets would appear to deceive, if possible, even the elect (Mark 13:22). However, God is still in control, and these people will receive their deserved punishment^.

   
   

5. Those who Abolish: That is, by preaching salvation by works, they are also preaching that the cross is meaningless and useless and irrelevant. They silence the message of the cross, which speaks of humanity's deep need for a Savior, because it contradicts their message one hundred percent.

   
   

Paul's conclusion is striking: he wishes these agitators would "go the whole way and emasculate themselves!". While shocking, this language reflects the seriousness of the crime these men were committing. They were trying to lead the Galatians back into the slavery of the Old Covenant, away from the life offered by the New. They were seeking personal gain by causing harm.

Paul's anger and frustration stemmed from understanding what was at stake. He used sharp and emotive language because the false teachers were selling a product that cannot work, a placebo for sin that gives a false sense of assurance.

Conclusion: The Choice is Yours

Galatians 5:12 NIV 

[12] As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves! 

(Read the full passage at:https://bible.com/bible/111/gal.5.12.NIV)

Perhaps the strength of Paul’s language shocks you. It is, after all, very strong. 

This verse is the strongest of them all. Yes, he is wishing that those who are trying to lead the Galatians into error have a bit of an accident with a knife and cut off a lot more than intended. 

That is quite something. 

If this language troubles you, we need to remember that Jesus too didn’t hold back when talking about those who lead His followers into error (Matthew 18:6-7; Mark 9:42; Luke 17:2). And if that also troubles you, remember that the crime these men were committing was very serious. 

Paul talked of two covenants: Old and New. The Old would lead to slavery to a way of life that would deliver only death. The New would bring only life. 

These false teachers wanted the Galatians to subject themselves to the Old Covenant.

He talked of two states: one in which people believed in Jesus and were saved; one where they disbelieved and were lost. 

The scandal was that the false teachers were trying to get the Galatians to disbelieve Jesus. 

He also talked of two teachers: him, who wanted them to gain their salvation; the Jewish false teachers, who sought to lead them away from it. 

He is so angry because these Jewish false teachers are out to cause the Galatians harm for their own personal gain. That is nothing but evil and despicable. 

We are furious when we hear of other people causing harm for their own gain. We believe people like that deserve to be punished. And we are fully justified. 

So why would Paul let these people get away with it? 

Paul was angry and frustrated. He was angry and frustrated because he knew what is at stake. That’s why he used such sharp and emotive language. I believe he was right to do so, even if it does offend our modern sensibilities. 

The question is: do we understand what is at stake? All around the world, there are large and very profitable companies who make enormous sums of money selling harmful and addictive substances because they are guaranteed repeat customers. 

That is why Paul uses the emotive term of ‘slaves’ to describe those who are caught up in works-based religion. They are being sold a product that cannot work, but they buy it because it gives them a false sense of assurance. They buy a placebo for their sin disease under the false impression that it will save them from death. 

It will not. 

Only Jesus saves. 

Maybe today you are startled by that assertion. Maybe you think that in our post-modern society, no-one has the right to make such a bold, exclusive claim. 

I say they do. But only if it’s true. 

And in Jesus’ case it is. 

Right at the beginning of this letter, out ears rang with Paul’s hard words: 

Galatians 1:6-9 NIV 

[6] I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— [7] which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. [8] But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! [9] As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse! 

(Read the full passage at: https://bible.com/bible/111/gal.1.6-9.NIV)

Now it’s up to you. You have to choose your solution for your sin problem. You can choose to try to work your way out of it, slaving away to the best of your abilities knowing that your best might not be enough, or you can surrender to God and accept what Jesus did for you on the cross, repudiating any and all who say there is another way. 

The choice is yours. 

Which will you choose? 

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, I choose You. I am done trying to achieve the unachievable. I will not listen to those who say otherwise. I entrust myself to Your grace. I trust in Your glorious work on the cross. I am a sinner, saved by grace. Help me to live a worthy life that shows this. Amen.

Questions for Reflection:

• Paul is very hard on the Jewish false teachers in these verses. Why?

  
  

• What are the elements of Jewish history that Paul uses to compare them to? What can we learn from these?

  
  

• What is at risk when we choose between a works-based and a grace-based salvation? Why is it at risk? Which do you choose?