Galatians 4:21-5:6.

Galatians 4.21-5.6

Hagar and Sarah

Some of you would like to be under the rule of the Law of Moses. But
do you know what the Law says? In the Scriptures we learn that
Abraham had two sons. The mother of one of them was a slave, while the
mother of the other one had always been free. The son of the slave
woman was born in the usual way. But the son of the free woman was
born because of God's promise.

All of this has another meaning as well. Each of the two women stands
for one of the agreements God made with his people. Hagar, the slave
woman, stands for the agreement that was made at Mount Sinai. Everyone
born into her family is a slave. Hagar also stands for Mount Sinai in
Arabia and for the present city of Jerusalem. She and her children are
slaves.

But our mother is the city of Jerusalem in heaven above, and she isn't
a slave. The Scriptures say about her,

"You have never had children, but now you can be glad. You have never
given birth, but now you can shout. Once you had no children, but now
you will have more children than a woman who has been married for a
long time."

My friends, you were born because of this promise, just as Isaac was.
But the child who was born in the natural way made trouble for the
child who was born because of the Spirit. The same thing is happening
today. The Scriptures say, "Get rid of the slave woman and her son!
He won't be given anything. The son of the free woman will receive
everything." My friends, we are children of the free woman and not of
the slave.

Christ Gives Freedom

Christ has set us free! This means we are really free. Now hold on to
your freedom and don't ever become slaves of the Law again.

I, Paul, promise you that Christ won't do you any good if you get
circumcised. If you do, you must obey the whole Law. And if you try
to please God by obeying the Law, you have cut yourself off from
Christ and his wonderful kindness. But the Spirit makes us sure that
God will accept us because of our faith in Christ. If you are a
follower of Christ Jesus, it makes no difference whether you are
circumcised or not. All that matters is your faith that makes you love
others."

Father God, forgive my sins. Thank you for sending Jesus Christ down
to die on the cross and for shedding is blood for me. Three days later
you resurrected him. I accept that. I invite Jesus Christ into my
heart as my Lord and savior. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

God bless you.