Of the free

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

 

Photo by Pexels.com

Galatians 4:31 reminds us of a very important truth: through faith in Jesus Christ, we are no longer bound by slavery to sin, fear, or the impossible burden of trying to earn God's acceptance, including keeping the Mosaic law. We are not in bondage anymore. Instead, we belong to God's family as children of the promise, living in the freedom that Christ has secured for us by his all-sufficient sacrifice on the cross.

In Galatians 4:21-31, the apostle Paul contrasts slavery with freedom. Slavery represents a life of relying on human effort to achieve righteousness, while freedom represents the grace of God received by faith, a free gift. Sarah, the free woman, represents the covenant of promise and the Jerusalem above. Hagar, the Egyptian slave, represents the covenant given at Mount Sinai, the law, that brings bondage and not freedom. In this fourth chapter, the apostle Paul clearly distinguish between the two covenants (Gal 4:24).

Today, let's remember who we are. We are not defined by our past, by failures or by the expectations of the world. In Christ, we are children of the free woman—a child of God's promise. 

Live each day with the assurance that our Lord Jesus Christ, who has set us free, will continue to lead us as the Great Shepherd. Leading us to green pastures if we listen to His voice.

Reflection on Galatians 4:16-31 by Hanne

Redeem

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might have adoption as children.” – Galatians 4: 4-5

Pexels.com

Dear friends in Christ Jesus, in today’s bible passage we are able to reflect on the deep mysteries of our own redemption. The Jewish community was so much immersed into the law and they believed in it. The Jewish people were enslaved to their own law. The laws did not help them but rather gave them troubles in their daily life. Jesus who is born as a Jew is also born under the law. Jesus was not enslaved to the law. He was above the law. At the same time Jesus knew very well what the situation of the Jewish community was and how much they were troubled with their own laws. Jesus wanted them to be redeemed. Jesus was sent to the world by his Father to redeem the whole world from all kinds of slavery. Jesus wanted to give us proper identity as the children of God.

We all know that after the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Father sent to the world the Spirit of his Son so that we all might be able to inherit the kingdom of God as the children of God. In Christ Jesus, we are all children of God through faith. The moment we got baptized we were clothed with Christ. As children of God we are also heirs of God. This is a great gift that God is giving to each one of us who are created in his image and likeness.

Dear Friends, let us be grateful to God the Father for sending his Son and Holy Spirit. Let us thank God for his love for each one of us especially for redeeming us. Let us thank God for the gift of faith. Let us thank God for the sacrament of baptism. Let us thank God for making us his children. Let us thank God for making us his heirs. Let us thank God for the gift of eternal life. Amen.

Bible Reflection on Galatians 4: 1-15 by Fr. George Joseph SVD

One in Christ Jesus

There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise - Gal 3:28-29

Pexels.com

Reflecting on the pastoral writings of St. Paul to the church in Galatia, primarily of early Gentile converts, as well as Jewish believers, who were insisting that gentile converts must adhere to Jewish Laws, which included circumcision.

This Spirit-inspired pastoral letter addressed the conflict that was arising in this early Christian community and forms an important cornerstone of an important teaching about justification by faith and not by works of the Law. St Paul addresses the concerns of the Jewish converts that it was God who justified. 

This is a timely reminder to all believers that we are all one in Christ Jesus. If we belong to Christ, then automatically we are included as heirs to God’s kingdom. This was an unbroken Abrahamic Promise that God Himself had covenanted with Abram, when a flaming torch had passed between the carcasses, signifying that the Almighty God Himself was ratifying His everlasting Promises to Abram. (of Land, Nationhood & universal blessing). A perpetual blessing sealed in the One-Time Perfect Sacrifice of Christ Jesus. 

Reflecting on this passage and my own journey: I am acutely aware of the boundless grace & mercy freely given to me, even when I was walking in darkness and denied His existence as formerly fervent Buddhist believer. 

I’ll close my short sharing with this timeless hymn penned by a convicted former slave trader (John Newton) Amazing Grace (sung by: Rosemary Siemens) 

V1

Amazing Grace how sweet the sound 

That saved a wretch like me 

I once was lost, but now am found 

Was blind but now I see 

V2

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear 

And grace my fears relieved 

How precious did that grace appear 

The hour I first believed 

V3

When we’ve been there ten thousand years 

Bright shining as the sun 

We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise 

Than when we’ve first begun 

Was blind but now I see

Composed by: John Newton (in 1779)
YouTube link:  https://youtu.be/Rw2VWje6tEo?si=IDxm2-tCD0GmD2ds

Reflection on Galatians 3:15-29 by Chris Tan

The just shall live by faith

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. – Galatians 3:11

Pexels.com

In the first few verses of Chapter 3 in the epistle to the Galatians, the apostle Paul is sternly warning the Galatians against adding the law of Moses to the Gospel. Twice he calls their acts foolish. Paul is using strong language. Faith versus keeping the law of Moses seems to be the crucial issue here. 

Paul uses the example of Abraham’s faith and faithfulness. Abraham, who lived long before the law was given, was justified by God by faith. Abraham believed in God, and it was counted to him as righteousness (Galatians 3:6). Paul reminds them that the legacy of Abraham was not obedience to law or works of the flesh; it was faith in God.

The apostle Paul clearly states that ‘’no man is justified by the law’’. Paul is referring here to the Law of Moses. Paul points out that the law is not of (or from) faith (Galatians 3:12). The law was about works to demonstrate the need for faith.

Paul explains that “the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ” (Galatians 3:22). Our Lord Jesus Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law (Moses’ law). The Messiah has come and has redeemed us from obeying the hundreds of laws from the old covenant.

Let's have faith in our Redeemer Jesus Christ.

Reflection on Galatians 3:1-14 by Hanne

Servant of Christ

If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ - Galatians 1:10

Pexels.com

Through these passages, Jesus reminds us that everything we do in this world is solely for the glory of Christ. Whether we are believers or not, God sends us into the world with a specific mission, even though we often fail to realize it. 

Everything that happens in our lives occurs by God’s permission, and there is always a message for us to discover behind every event. As Christians, we must recognize that the glory of Christ is the top priority in all our endeavors, for He is the source of the knowledge, skills, and even the provision we receive to multiply the talents and abilities we possess. There is no reason for a Christian to boast, nor is there any reason to seek to direct praise and glory toward oneself.

God is very displeased with people who are arrogant and boastful.  We should always realize that we are nothing without God.  If it weren't for His will, we wouldn't be present in the world, we wouldn't be living the life we ​​are living now.  Through the scripture verse above, the message conveyed to us is very clear, that we should never try to look great in the eyes of humans because there is still a God who is always watching our movements at all times.  

Don't be arrogant and boast because our God is not pleased with arrogance.  Servants of Christ work to serve Christ not to please others excessively and then forget God and all His glory.  Act as a good servant who never betrays the goodness of his master.

Reflection on Galatians 1:1-10 by Sr Yanti Purnawati SFSC