How does Galatians 4:24 illustrate the difference between law and grace? Setting the Stage • Galatians 4:24 says, “These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants.” • Paul uses the stories of Hagar and Sarah to paint a vivid picture of law versus grace. Hagar and Sarah: Two Mothers, Two Mountains • Hagar ➔ Mount Sinai ➔ earthly Jerusalem ➔ slavery • Sarah ➔ heavenly Jerusalem ➔ freedom ➔ promise Hagar: The Covenant of Law • Represents the Mosaic Law given at Sinai. • Brings bondage because perfect obedience is required yet impossible (cf. Galatians 3:10). • “The law was our guardian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith.” (Galatians 3:24) • Law exposes sin but cannot liberate from it (Romans 3:20). Sarah: The Covenant of Grace • Stands for the promise fulfilled in Christ. • Issues in freedom and sonship (Galatians 4:28–31). • “For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17) • Grace rests on God’s initiative, not human effort (Ephesians 2:8-9). Why the Law Can Only Produce Slavery • Law addresses external behavior; grace transforms the heart (Hebrews 8:10). • Under law, acceptance depends on performance—result: fear and bondage (Romans 8:15). • “For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” (Romans 6:14) Grace Brings Freedom and Sonship • Sarah’s children are “born according to the Spirit” (Galatians 4:29). • Freedom flows from the finished work of Christ, not personal merit (Galatians 5:1). • Access to God is open and joyful (Hebrews 12:22-24: “You have come to Mount Zion… to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant.”). Living in the Freedom of Grace • Stand firm—don’t drift back to rule-keeping as a means of acceptance (Galatians 5:1). • Rely on the Spirit, not the flesh (Galatians 5:16-18). • Serve in love; grace empowers true obedience from the heart (Galatians 5:13-14). Key Takeaways • Hagar = law, human effort, slavery. • Sarah = grace, divine promise, freedom. • Galatians 4:24 draws a clear line: every believer must decide whether to live under striving or under promise—law or grace. |
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