Morning Moments

VI. THE ARGUMENT AGAINST ABDUCTION 4:1-31
I use the word "abduction" because the definition is to take someone away by force or DECEPTION and that is precisely what these Judaizers were doing to these Gentile believers. They were deceiving them, just as many Christians have been and are deceived today in the same manner. God has provided for us in Christ a "love life" with cheerfulness of heart and joy of soul. We live and give because we love, not because we MUST tithe, go to "church", or a hundred other things. When we live "free" it is a cheerful and joyful life and THAT is what has been missing in some many so-called Christian lives. It is why so many don't want a taste of the "Christian medicine". Where is the joy unspeakable and FULL of glory that rejoices evermore that Paul wrote about?

A. The Explanation 4:1-7
Remember that Paul was talking about the law being a tutor and a teacher for children. So what is the difference between a well treated servant and a child in terms of treatment? NONE! That is precisely how it was with the law. Think about it this way: If you are a servant, you have a master. If you are a child, you have a master. So what is the difference? Even though the child might have been heir of everything he had access to nothing until the adoption (which was the placing of a child as an adult son or in adult standing) or until someone died. He was under a tutor till 14 and a governor till 25. God has given us the Spirit of ADOPTION which means we are now placed as adult sons with full rights.

There is so much that comes with being "justified". Who is so foolish as to "go back" to the law? It's like saying "lock me up again" to one who has been acquitted.

Then Paul tells us how God did it. When He knew the time was just right He sent His Son as a man, a real human being, to show us what God designed man to be - totally yielded to God. He was born of a woman as we are (but conceived of the Holy Spirit). He was in every sense of the word a man with mind, will, and volition. He was born under the law and was the only one who never violated it and always kept it, but because He didn't keep it the way the legalists thought He should, they criticized and ultimately crucified Him. But He was obedience unto death, even the death of the cross so that He could redeem those who were under the law (Jews) and that we (both Jew and Gentile) might receive the adoptions of sons, and as proof of what God has done, He has sent His Holy Spirit into our hearts moving us to cry in such a personal way "abba" (daddy) Father. We are no more as little children in standing or as under tutors or governors, but full heirs of God through Christ.

B. The Experience 4:8-14
Because the Gentiles were what they were, they had not been worshippers of Jehovah, as had been the Jews. Those who worshipped at all had worshipped "them which by nature are no gods." But they had since learn of God, then about God, then turned to God, so why on earth or heaven would they turn back from where they had come? I am absolutely convinced that the people we run through the little gospel booklets with superficially rarely understand that the Christian life is not about getting your out of hell but about getting the hell out of you. There are too many "Church folks" with too much hell still in them.

Almost in despair, Paul asks, "Was my labor their in vain?" He preached to them through pain and weakness (infirmity of the flesh). The physical testing that they had accepted and received him as an angel of God, even as they would have Christ Himself.

B. The Expectation 4:15-21
The blessedness thy had shown him had seemed to have vanished. Why, seeing the problem with his vision, which obviously came from the Damascus road experience, they would have plucked out their own eyes and given them to him because they loved him so. What could possibly have changed them so drastically? Paul adds, "Why should I become your enemy by telling you the truth?" What an amazing contrast!

The word of verse 17 are pretty interesting. Literally they are: "They are courting you, but not for honorable intentions." Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 23:15, "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twoforl more the child of hell than yourselves." BEWARE!

There is nothing wrong with being zealous, in fact we should always be, for God Word says that whatever we do we are to do it heartily as unto the Lord. He is not criticizing their zeal.

What does a man know about having a baby? A woman would say nothing, but Paul uses the word in verse 19 in terms of his agony that Christ would be formed in the Galatians. It indicates his intense desire for them to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ rather than being conformed to the laws of Judaism. It is the process of Christian maturity after birth. My does not with to speak to them in this manner, but wishes he could be with them and change his tone. Had he been with them they could have seen his agony. Then Paul says, "Why don't you just listen to the Torah!" And he gives the example.

BLESSINGS!