What does "free" in Galatians 4:26 imply about our spiritual inheritance? Setting the Stage: Context of Galatians 4 - Paul contrasts two women—Hagar (earthly slavery) and Sarah (heavenly promise). - Galatians 4:26: “But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.” - “Jerusalem above” represents the sphere of God’s fulfilled promise, independent of the Mosaic Law’s bondage. The Meaning of “Free” in Galatians 4:26 - Freedom from slavery to the Law: not bound to ceremonial regulations for acceptance with God (Galatians 3:24-25). - Freedom of birthright: believers are born “according to promise” (Galatians 4:28), just as Isaac was; freedom is our native status, not a granted privilege we might forfeit. - Freedom of citizenship: our homeland is the heavenly Jerusalem, already secure, not contingent on earthly systems (Philippians 3:20). Spiritual Inheritance Unpacked 1. Heirs, not hirelings • Romans 8:17: “And if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.” • Inheritance is received through sonship, not wages; the word “free” underscores grace. 2. Permanent family membership • John 8:35-36: “A slave does not remain in the house forever, but a son belongs to it forever… So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” • Spiritual inheritance is unrevoked because it rests on Christ’s finished work. 3. Access to the heavenly city • Hebrews 12:22: “You have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.” • Believers already participate in the privileges of that city: acceptance, worship, and fellowship with God. 4. Anticipation of full consummation • Revelation 21:2 describes the New Jerusalem descending; our “free” status guarantees a place in that future reality. Living Out Our Freedom - Reject legalism’s chains: do not revert to rule-keeping for righteousness (Galatians 5:1). - Walk by the Spirit, the agent of freedom (Galatians 5:16-18). - Serve one another in love, using freedom constructively (Galatians 5:13). Supporting Passages that Echo This Freedom - 2 Corinthians 3:17: “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” - Colossians 1:13: “He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son.” - Ephesians 2:19: “You are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household.” Key Takeaways - “Free” in Galatians 4:26 identifies our spiritual inheritance as grace-based, unearned, and secure. - We belong to a heavenly city whose rights and blessings are ours now and forever. - This freedom moves us from slavery to sonship, from law to promise, from earthly bondage to heavenly citizenship—every moment grounded in Christ’s finished work. |
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