Son or Servant?

In reading Galatians 4, I am left with lots of questions. I am curious about the bodily condition Paul mentioned in 4:16. It seemed the Galatians had favorably received him in spite of this yet now they were questioning Paul after hearing other teachers. In the overall theme of Chapter 4, Paul contrasts the Old Covenant with the New and the Law with the Promise. However, a lot still seems unclear so I will look forward to any insight from you about this chapter.

Yesterday our sermon by Pastor Shawn was on “Seleh” stopping to consider God’s truth in His Word. I liked the questions he suggested we ask when reading any passage so I will share them with you.

Is there a promise found?

What picture of God do I see?

Is there a problem of life addressed?

What principle should I live by?

What is God’s personal message for me in this?

The picture I noticed was the contrast between relating to God as his son or as his servant.

A son is free and a servant is in bondage
A son relates based on a relationship, a servant related based on rules
A son lives in love, a servant under law
The son has hope and a future inheritance, the servant has no hope but uncertainty and drudgery
The son recognizes the wealth of his heavenly father lives in abundance but the servant maintains a scarcity mentality
The son has rest in the promises of the Father and empowerment by the Spirit but the servant works in the flesh continually striving

And now it is your turn…. what are your observations/thoughts/applications as you read this chapter?

7 thoughts on “Son or Servant?”

Pls bear with me…house guests came in Wednesday. & I am not able to grasp much downtime to study. But I am determined to continue!

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Adela- take your time – you probably noticed it was almost 2 weeks between my postings.

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Posted June 19, 2016 at 8:38 am by Adela

Thanks for your understanding. Probably can restart on Tuesday, after they go to the mainland for 3 weeks, then return

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Reply

My take on Chapter 4 of Galations is that Paul continues his crusade of grace over law: pre-Christ, people were tied to the law. After Christ came and died, we were freed by our faith and made right with God the Father. Being reconciled, we are then considered a part of His family, an heir with all the rights and privileges that a family member can expect.

He asks the Galations why then do they want to return to their former state of affairs…before they knew Christ…by listening to the false teachers promoting compliance with laws in order to complete one’s salvation. Could they not see that nothing else but faith alone saved them?

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I did it again…or didn’t. Looking at the subtitle “Son or Servant” it seems I completely missed the theme of the chapter , not even touched upon it.

I’ll revisit the chapter to make my comment with that perspective.

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The son or servant was a tangent, not the main theme which you stated in your response.

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Lynn,
I too, have a bit more of a responsibility for two more weeks. Sarah is working until July 17 or 19 (thereabouts). Reading and contemplating, just not responding. I’m still enjoying studying with you all very much.

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