Bulletins - First Baptist Church of Huntersville West Virginia

Christus Victor (Amen)
As The Deer
It Is Well With My Soul
Galatians 4:21–31 CSB
21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, don’t you hear the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and the other by a free woman. 23 But the one by the slave was born as a result of the flesh, while the one by the free woman was born through promise. 24 These things are being taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery—this is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar represents Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written, Rejoice, childless woman, unable to give birth. Burst into song and shout, you who are not in labor, for the children of the desolate woman will be many, more numerous than those of the woman who has a husband. 28 Now you too, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as then the child born as a result of the flesh persecuted the one born as a result of the Spirit, so also now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Drive out the slave and her son, for the son of the slave will never be a coheir with the son of the free woman.” 31 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of a slave but of the free woman.
This weeks passage may need a little explanation - Paul is using allegory to make his point.
He goes back to Abraham who is promised to be the father of the people of promise (Israel) - it is in Abraham that ALL nations will be blessed because the final salvation will come through his lineage.
This first issue Abraham had was not waiting on God but trying to force and heir… enter Hagar. Hagar was a slave who had a son with Abraham through natural means - she represents the law.
Even though Abraham got ahead of God, God remained faithful and gave him the promised son… enter Sarah who in her old age had a son who was a miracle from God - she represents the promise and freedom from God - in other words… GRACE.
The inheritance of legalism is conflict.
Think about it - when we set up a bunch of rules that say, “If you don’t do certain things or behave a certain way then you are not Christian enough.”, conflict will come.
Again, I am not talking about a free for all in life of in church - God is a God of order. He has set some in authority for His plan and purpose.
Jesus has set a standard to which we are to try and attain in life - He is the only One who can say if we are “enough” and the good news is He did, on the cross.
We must have nothing to do with legalism and those who push it.
Paul says to “drive out the slave and her son” - in other words drive out legalism and the legalizers.
So what do we look for?
Adding to the gospel for salvation - while I believe baptism is absolutely vital to the obedience of scripture and sets you on a path of faithfulness baptism is NOT a requirement to be saved… things like adding church membership, service, giving etc…. or making statements like “real Christians do or don’t…”
Personal appearance - expecting conformity to a specific “church look” - legalism says, “look the part,” Grace says, “Come as you are.”
Tradition over transformation - elevating church traditions above all else… this can be insisting on certain worship styles, Bible translations, or order of service, saying things like, “It’s not church if it doesn’t have pews”, “we need our room set this way”, “this is how we have always done it”… it can even be certain expectations of leaders…
Behavior policing without heart change - this is focusing on external morality… no drinking, you can’t watch certain things or listen to certain styles of music, - I am not saying these things are good but we tend to focus on certain things while ignoring pride, bitterness or gossip. This also includes measuring someone’s spirituality by how busy they are in church activities rather than their walk with Christ.
Spiritual elitism and comparison - treating those who don’t serve, give, or lead as second -class Christians.
Judging others by personal convictions - you may have certain boundaries or spiritual routines but those are your and you cannot assume others must follow them too - trust me, no one in her is the personification of spiritual perfection and thus not qualified to set the standard… Jesus did that.
Legalism thrives when external rules, expectations, traditions and personal convictions replace internal transformation.
I am sure they often begin with good intentions - to honor God, protect truth, or avoid sin - but it ends up enslaving rather than freeing.
In Christ, we are not children of legalism but we are heirs of grace.
See legalism sets a standard that is constantly moving and cannot be achieved.
Why would you want to be under the law when we have been set free…
The standard has been met through the blood of Jesus Christ and because He has adopted us as sons and daughters by grace and through faith in His completed work then our inheritance is Grace…. AMEN.
- - Galatians 4:21–31CSB
Room At The Cross For You

The inheritance of legalism is conflict.

We must have nothing to do with legalism and those who push it.

In Christ, we are not children of legalism but we are heirs of grace.

Galatians 4:21–31CSB