Background

The Galatian church was made up of both Jews and Gentiles who had come to Christ. After the church was established by the Apostle Paul, other teachers had come to the church preaching a false gospel that said Jesus was not sufficient for salvation and that obedience to the Jewish law and circumcision were required of all believers. In the first three chapters, Paul has been reminding the church that none of us are capable of fulfilling the law’s demands, but that Jesus did that for us. Our only responsibility is to live by faith in Jesus Christ alone. The law was merely a temporary “guardian,” a tool to hold things together until the Messiah Jesus came to secure our salvation. The law cannot save anyone or make anyone righteous. Even in the Old Testament, salvation was always by faith in the promised Messiah, not adherence to the law. That brings us up to chapter four.

Explanation: Heirs of the promise (vv. 1-7)

In the culture at the time Paul was writing (around 48 AD), the heir of a family was treated much like a slave until they grew up. They were often left with a guardian who would watch over them. Though they would eventually own all that belonged to the family, they had no power or authority until they reached adulthood.

Paul says that we too “were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world” (v. 3). He uses similar language in Colossians 2:6-23. This can refer to any philosophy, tradition, or set of rules that promise to change our lives but can’t deliver:

“Do not handle. Do not taste. Do not touch… These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh” (Col. 2:21-23 ESV).

If we are in Christ, believing in Christ alone for salvation, we have received the promised inheritance. We don’t have to be enslaved anymore. We can relate to God as His children. We are redeemed and adopted into His family. But do we live like that is true?

When Jesus walked on the earth He related to His Father with childlike dependence (e.g. John 14:10). What difference would it make in our lives if we lived this way? How do we try to function without depending on God?

• We rely on our checklists to make sure we don’t forget something.
• We put more value in self-help tools, personality tests, and coping mechanisms than we do in the Word of God.
• We create rules and consequences to try to stop ourselves from giving in to temptation.
• We seek to solve problems by our own ingenuity without seeking God’s will in prayer.
• We try to predict every possible complication ahead so we can plan how we will respond.

And while we’re making our own plans and doing our own thing, we may end up ignoring the people God has put in front of us right now who need a word of encouragement and prayer.

Paul reminds us we are no longer slaves but sons. Paul uses the language of “sons” because they were the heirs of the family. It doesn’t matter if you are male or female, all Christians are heirs of God. In Romans 8 Paul said,

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ” (8:14-17a).

Question: How could a Christian turn back to slavery? (vv. 8-11)

The Galatians were turning back to the law rather than living by faith in Christ. Whether it is the Jewish law or pagan idols, they have no real power. The law only points out our sin and our need for a Savior. So why would anyone depend on other things? Rules and laws give structure and can make us feel more comfortable because we can understand them. Many people turn to self-help tools for “10 easy steps to fix ____.” Those seem to promise tangible ways to change the things we don’t like about our lives. In our area, people associated with churches cling to Southern culture, family priorities, patriotism, activism, social justice issues, etc. Those things aren’t bad in themselves, but for many people they become a substitute for real faith in Christ. People accept a “Christianity-adjacent lifestyle” rather than trust in Christ alone for salvation.

Paul, along with many pastors today, wondered, “Have I labored over you in vain?” (v. 11). When they have preached and worked to communicate the gospel of grace to people of all ages, it is disheartening to see people abandon what they once claimed to believe. Parents who are committed to following Christ are more likely to have children who follow Christ and remain in the faith. We all have a responsibility to make sure the next generation understands true faith and not some culturally accepted substitute.

Entreaty: Remember your ministers (vv. 12-20)

Paul came to Galatia in weakness and they received him and his message enthusiastically. He may have had an eye condition or some other ailment that they would have done anything to help. And yet, after these false teachers came along, Paul was starting to be perceived as an enemy. False gospels drag us away from the Body of Christ. Beware the popular teachers and self-promoting leaders. If their words make the church seem like an enemy, there is something wrong. Fads come and go, even within Christian circles, but the Church still stands.

Application: Turn to your Father

True believers are children of God and can relate to Him as our Father. Dependence on any rules, traditions, self-help tools, or trending speakers cannot save us or bring any real and lasting change to our lives. God alone can change us from the inside out by giving us a new heart (Ezek. 36:26), transforming our minds (Rom. 12:2), and conforming us to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29). What are some ways we can begin to live as children of God? Here are a few suggestions, but don’t let someone else’s idea become just another rule or a new item on your to-do list.

• Praying about everything, not just the “big stuff.”
• Giving thanks for answered prayers and unexpected blessings.
• Relinquishing control and trusting God.
• Seeking God’s direction more than following your schedule.
• Letting go of your expectations of what “should” happen.
• Not beating yourself up for failures, but accepting God’s love, grace, and forgiveness.
• Not patting yourself on the back for successes, but remembering that God enables you.

“Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1).