Slave or Son

Background Scripture: Galatians 4
Lesson Scripture: Galatians 4:1–11, 28

Introduction

Christianity is the only faith that saves the soul. Salvation is secured by faith and not merited by good works. Other religions prescribe works and rituals that need to be done first in order to receive approbation. Salvation cannot be earned by trying to clean up an immoral life, breaking bad habits, or performing good works. Those who try these methods are living under the delusion that salvation is obtained by paying for it. The life of a slave consists of always working but never obtaining freedom. God grants salvation to those who come with nothing to offer like the song says, “Just as I am, without one plea.” 1 God invites everyone to accept his offer of adoption and be his child in exchange for a life of slavery and bondage to self-effort.

Key Verse

So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free (Gal. 4:31).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

In these verses, the apostle uses analogies that are easy to understand. A child who will someday inherit an estate is not allowed to be the ruler while he is still a child. He is rather treated as a servant. He is told to go and come as a servant and is expected to obey those who are managing the estate. They are training him for the day that he comes of age and receives control of the inheritance.

God’s people were in servanthood under the law of Moses. Its demands were heavy, as those of a rigorous tutor or governor. The law demanded the shedding of blood from animal sacrifices as well as other sacrificial offerings. Its commandments included rituals to keep and certain holy days, months, and years to observe. It required death by stoning for certain sins. Peter, before his conversion to the gospel, was an avid supporter of keeping the law. Later, in Acts 15:10 he called it, “a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear.” Yet, under the first covenant, obeying the law and making blood sacrifices to atone for sin was the way Jehovah provided for those who wanted to be his children.

The law was like a schoolmaster, and God’s children were governed by its relentless rigors. It had no power to save, only to condemn, but through it, God was preparing a much better plan. He sent his Son Jesus to redeem mankind and set us free from the bondage of guilt. He adopts us as sons and daughters, joint heirs with Jesus, to receive the Father’s bountiful kingdom. He redeemed us out of slavery and paid the ransom by assuming our debt to the law. When God adopts us as his children, He puts his Spirit into our hearts.

Abba was a word used by children when informally addressing their fathers. It equates to terms like “daddy” or “papa” in our vernacular. Since God calls us sons and daughters, we can have the same relationship with Him that children have with Christian parents who care for them. This includes obedience and respect because of a love relationship, not fear and performance-driven notions as would be the case in a tutor-scholar or governor-subject relationship.

The Galatians were confused and losing the understanding that their salvation did not come by keeping the law. The apostle instructed them that it was displeasing to God to turn again to the “weak and beggarly elements” of Jewish rituals. They were returning to slavery instead of enjoying the freedom of spiritual life in Christ Jesus.

Practical Truths for Today

Imagine a master with his slave. The slave lives in dread of breaking his master’s dictates and suffering punishment. The only way he knows to live is cringing under his master’s rules and trying to earn his approval.

One day the master says, “I am setting you free and adopting you as my son.” No longer a slave but a son, he has access to all the rights and privileges of being part of the family and living in the father’s house. He is in constant communication with his father. He learns to understand the mind of his father through the close relationship they share. They deeply appreciate each other, and the newly adopted son is prudent in his pursuits and diligent in his duties. He is grateful for his freedom from bondage and fear and especially for the relationship he has with his father. Instead of following rules to appease a master, he is learning to pattern his life after his father’s. In doing so, he and his father are drawn ever closer together. He feels his presence and influence, even when they are not together. He now serves his father by choice instead of dutifully trying to stay inside the parameters of a set of rules.

As he goes about his father’s business, others can see the inner happiness and contentment he has. They observe that he instinctively understands his father’s will and gladly performs it. His relationship is the secret to his happiness. This could be drawn as a parallel for the Christian and his heavenly Father.

God’s plan for families is that parents are an example for their children and lovingly fill the role of instructor, mentor, and trainer for them. Paul used the term tutors and governors to describe this role, and parents who use biblical discipline methods, such as praise for well­doing and consequences for disobedience, accomplish this responsibility. Children are fortunate if they have parents who teach them right from wrong. Strong homes with good structure provide a safe environment for children to be nurtured where courtesy, kindness, and respect are practiced. Included in the structure of the home is a clear line between what is acceptable behavior and what is not. A child needs to have boundaries and to know what the consequences are of crossing them. Children reared where the importance of moral standards is emphasized will be secure and have a foundation for becoming an asset to society. Although children need the instruction and safety of guidelines, they find freedom when they keep them because they love their parents.

When we are born again, we embark on a new way of living. If we are converted when we are young, there is a time of transition as we mature. Although a child is still under his parents’ tutelage, he is developing another level of accountability—he is responsible to the heavenly Father and the church. He will mature in this new walk of life by listening to the personal impressions from the Holy Spirit. Wise parents will help their child make the transition from a child living by rules to living a Spirit-filled life as a Christian within the guidelines of the church.

Some Christians live in fear and doubt, struggling to live by faith while trying to satisfy their perceived demands of God. To look at Christian life as keeping a set of rules is akin to slavery. A slave lives in fear of breaking a rule and being punished for it. Christians living by form or under the fear of man should learn to listen to the Holy Spirit for their direction and thereby find the freedom God gives.

God’s will for his children is that they trust Him and allow Him to care for them. Carefully following the quiet direction of the Holy Spirit is evidence of this freedom. We no longer feel compelled to vindicate ourselves. We live a consistent life of humility, guided by the inner voice of the Holy Spirit who comforts us in our obedience.

Questions

1. What are indicators of living Christian life by rules instead of in the Holy Ghost?
2. Learning to live by the rules is good for a child. How can we help a brother or sister who continues to try to live Christian life by rules instead of in the freedom of the Holy Spirit?
3. What helps develop an intimate relationship with the heavenly Father?
4. Tell an experience of learning to follow the Holy Spirit instead of trusting in rules and one’s own ability.
5. 1 Charlotte Elliot, “Just as I Am,” Christian Hymnal
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).