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Religious
Harmony Is Only Possible In Christ (Galatians 3:26–4:7)
Author: Paul Purpose: To refute
that believers must obey Jewish LAW in order to be saved, and to call Christians to faith and freedom in Christ.
In last month’s lessons was focused on God creating the universe. This month’s lessons focus on God recre- ating the universe through redeeming his people for freedom to live in holiness. Our study takes us to Gala- tians, the charter of Chris- tian freedom.
In strongly defended that Christians are saved by faith in Christ and not works of the law (so significant that he stated that truth three times in one verse—Gala- tians 2:16).
(vv. 19-25).
Faith is what puts us in God’s family (3:26–4:20). Faith is the basis for our
freedom (4:21-31).
Our Clothing Shows Our Family | Galatians 3:26-29
When God redeems us by grace through faith (Eph- esians 2:8, 9), he places us into his forever family. The ground is indeed level at the foot of the cross. All are em- braced and equal. Harmony is possible only in Christ— notice also the phrases, into Christ, in Christ, and to Christ. Responding to God in faith makes us children of God (see also John 1:12).
The entry point for this harmony is baptism. The New Testament writers had what we might term their own doctrines of baptism. For Matthew baptism was fulfilling righteousness (Matthew 3:13-17). For Mark baptism was an im- mersion in suffering (Mark
10:36-39). For Luke bap- tism was forgiveness and the reception of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). For John bap- tism was the new birth (John 3:1-8). For Peter baptism was a pledge of a clear conscience (1 Peter 3:21). For the Hebrew writer baptism was drawing near to God (Hebrews 10:22). For Paul baptism was identification with Christ (Romans 6:1-4). Metaphorically speaking, baptism is putting on clothes that mark out our clan (family).
People get out of tune be- cause of race, social status, and gender. Yet faith ex- pressed in baptism destroys disunity.
Certainly a high water- mark of the New Testament is Galatians 3:28. Har- mony is possible when we are recreated, regardless of race (Jew nor Gentile), so- cial status (slave nor free), or gender (male and fe- male).
Picking up the argument
from earlier in the epistle, Paul said, If you belong to Christ, then you are Abra- ham’s seed, and heirs ac- cording to the promise.
The baptismal clothes make us all look the same. We may have different roles and gifts, but the harmony can be in perfect pitch.
Our Family Shows Our Identity | Galatians 4:1-7
Paul did not create a chapter division at Gala- tians 4:1. The link word to this next section is heir. You can’t talk about an heir with- out thinking in terms of family.
The slave and the heir were very different when it came to who inherited the estate.
But the good news is that we who were once slaves are now God’s very own chil- dren with an intimate rela- tionship to him. God jumped in and changed all of this in the perfect time.
Paul
In chapters 3 and 4 Paul made several arguments for that theme:
Faith is the vehicle of re- ceiving the Holy Spirit (3:1- 6).
Faith puts us in touch with the promise of God through Abraham (vv. 7- 18).
Faith is the result of let- ting the law lead us to Christ
Galatians,
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