Amazing Grace (Part 2) | Galatians 4:21-31

Although there are many choices in life, the Christian can always look behind at the paths that he’s taken in life and be absolutely sure that all the decisions that was made in the past were the correct ones. It’s no surprise – after all, God has promised so in His word. (Rom 8:28) In fact, we, as Christians, can be confident that God will always lead us to the path that he wants us to travel; this is because God’s grace oversees, directs, and protects the believer. Although we may choose the wrong things in life, including sin, God upholds our salvation by His power and grace.

In Galatians 4:21-31, Paul shows us the two conditions of mankind, illustrating the benefit that is given to the Christians using the historical account of Sarah and Hagar.

There are two mothers. All of mankind are either sons of Hagar, the slave woman, or the sons of Sarah, the free woman. All men are naturally born as slaves to sin, so that their identity is aligned with Hagar. Just as a slave cannot free himself, so no sinner can overcome sin by himself. There is nothing men can do to escape their identity as a slave – Christian heritage and the highest work cannot free them from who they are. Only God can change men from the inside out – and Scripture tells us that the believers of Christ are children of the free woman, Sarah, born to her through promise. It is the supernatural work of God to take slaves and make them anew with a different identity altogether.

There are two covenants. All of mankind are subject to one of the two covenants. The Old Covenant is exacting; it demands absolute obedience to the perfect law of God. The New Covenant is gracious (Jer 24:7b); it is a covenant of grace which tells of God’s willingness to forgive on the basis of faith. Does the new covenant then forsake the law? No, because God has always saved men on the basis of their faith according to His grace. (Rom 4:3) When God establishes a new covenant relationship with the believer, He creates in them a new heart of righteousness and begins a relationship with them. The salvation that comes from the new covenant establishes the believer so that his every spiritual need is met. (Psalm 23:1)

There are two cities. All of mankind are living to fulfill their joy in their current home or their future home to come. In Paul’s days, Jerusalem was the hub of Judaism and the center of Pharisaical legalism. The children of Hagar are still living in the current Jerusalem; that is, they are living in the present condition of their false religious views. However, the believers are promised by Jesus a new Jerusalem that will be established on earth. (Rev 21:2) This new kingdom will be ruled by King Jesus, and all the believers will be in His royal court. (Phil 3:20)

There are two ways of life. If all of mankind are either sons of Hagar or Sarah, it’s important to observe the characteristics of the two people. Hagar’s child was Ishmael, who was constantly at war with others and was the one that attacked, offended, and avenged. (Jn 8:44) Sarah’s child, Isaac, was gentle and humble, and he did not repay evil for evil. Jesus was like Isaac; He was reviled but did not revile in return. Christians must be like Jesus and Isaac.(Rom 12:19-21) This is not a moral lifestyle, it’s a spiritual lifestyle. We must always reflect God’s grace, seeking to be just, righteous, and meek. (Matt 5:11-12)

There are two inheritances. All of mankind are promised one of two fates – heaven or hell. Just as Abraham gave the largest portion of his inheritance of Isaac, God will give heaven to the children of Sarah. (1 Pet 1:4) The inheritance for the children of the slave woman will be hell. (Gal 5:19-21)

In Conclusion, the children of Sarah, as allegorically depicted by Paul, are the very children of God. Of the two ways that Paul presented, the believers are clearly seen as the benefactors. The reward is coming, because Jesus is coming soon. We must respond with faithfulness to God in every way, because we have been saved by God’s amazing grace.