Faith without religion.
Galatians 4: Allegory of Freedom and Bondage
In a recent teaching, we explored Paul’s insights from Galatians 4, focusing on the allegory of Hagar and Sarah. Paul wrote to the Galatians to address their misguided adherence to the Law of Moses, which he argued led to spiritual bondage. He used the story of Abraham’s two sons, Ishmael and Isaac, to illustrate the difference between living under the law and living by faith.
Paul described Ishmael, the son of the slave woman Hagar, as representing the old covenant of the law, which leads to bondage. In contrast, Isaac, the son of the free woman Sarah, symbolizes the new covenant of promise and freedom through faith. Paul emphasized that believers are like Isaac, children of promise, and should see themselves as free, not bound by the law.
He further explained that the earthly Jerusalem, tied to the law, is in bondage, while the heavenly Jerusalem is free and is the mother of all believers. This allegory highlights the freedom found in the gospel, contrasting it with the bondage of the law. Paul urged believers to embrace their identity as children of the free woman, living in the liberty granted by Christ.
The teaching concluded with a return to Genesis 17, where God, as the Almighty, called Abram to walk blamelessly before Him. This call to integrity and completeness is echoed in Jesus’ teachings, reminding us that true perfection is found through faith in Christ, who fulfills the law and makes us whole.