Kristi Burchfiel

Don’t turn back. Paul is reminding the people what they left and telling them to be sure to not turn back. Read Galatians 4:8-11. However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again? You observe days and months and seasons and years. I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain. Galatians 4:8‭-‬11…

An heir. We saw yesterday that through Jesus Christ, our relationship with God has changed and he has adopted us. Today we see that He takes it one step further and not only are we God’s children, but we are God’s heirs. Read Galatians 4:6-7. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. Galatians 4:6‭-‬7 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gal.4.6-7.NASB Being called sons and daughters of God is an amazing truth. But it’s even more amazing when we start to think about the…

Adoption. The chance to become a son. Through the sacrifice of Christ, we have that. Read Galatians 4:1-5. Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we…

One. Not equal or identical, but unified. That is what Christ does. Read Galatians 3:26-29. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise. Galatians 3:26‭-‬29 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gal.3.26-29.NASB We are all one together in Christ. However, that is not the same as everyone being equal. Each and every one of us…

No longer under the law. Read Galatians 3:23-25. But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. Galatians 3:23‭-‬25 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gal.3.23-25.NASB The law was given before we understood what our faith should be in. As Paul mentions, the law was designed to be a tutor for us so that we could better understand our need for faith. However, now that Christ has…

The law leads to Christ. Read Galatians 3:19-22. Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made. Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one. Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might…

God’s promise. God made a promise to Abraham and that happened long before the law was given to Moses. Read Galatians 3:15-18. Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it. Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ. What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified…

The law and faith. As the people continue to look at both of these, Paul goes into more detail. Read Galatians 3:10-14. For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, ” Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them .” Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, ” the righteous man shall live by faith .” However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, ” He who practices them shall live by them .” Christ redeemed us from…

Faith leads to righteousness. Read Galatians 3:6-9. Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness . Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, ” All the nations will be blessed in you. ” So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer. Galatians 3:6‭-‬9 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gal.3.6-9.NASB Paul uses Abraham, one of the great fathers of the faith, as his continued example of the importance of believing in Christ alone and not in works to…

How does God work? God moves and works within the structure and framework that he has set up. But does God do works by the law? Read Galatians 3:5. So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Galatians 3:5 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gal.3.5.NASB As we saw yesterday, God set up the law so that we would understand our need for Christ. So, when we think about how God works, God is the ultimate fulfillment of the law. However, God is not limited by the law. God is greater than the law and…