liberty in Christ

Liberty in Christ

(in the book of Galatians)

Liberty in Christ is a thought presented in the scriptures.
What does this mean??

1. About the circumcision (2: 1- 5)

Gal 2:2 And I went up by revelation; and I laid before them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles but privately before them who were of repute, lest by any means I should be running, or had run, in vain.

Gall 2:3 But not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:

Gal 2:4 and that because of the false brethren privily brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

Gal 2:5 to whom we gave place in the way of subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

Here we find the first indication to the liberty in Christ.
    -Circumcision was a enemy to liberty.
    -Here we see the connection with bondage.
    -Gal. 4: 21- 31

We see here the connection with Acts 15.
    -Acts 15: 6- 11

Gal. 3: 10
    -Those that are under the law are under the curse.
    -The law brought a curse, it made man a sinner.

Gal. 3: 13:
    -Christ has redeemed us.

What is the purpose of the law?
    -This is what is under consideration. (bondage & liberty)
    -3: 19- 29

What does this passage say in regards to liberty?
    -21: Could have given life.
    -23: Kept under guard.
    -26: Sons of God through faith.

See also 2 Kor. 3: 1- 18
-v. 6
-v. 14- 18

The same principle of liberty is taught here.

2. Children and heirs.

Chapter 4: 1- 7

Here we see the writers point illustrated:
    -A child: Relating back to 3: 23- 25
    -An slave:
    -An heir:

The child is under guardians and stewards:
    -The law of Moses. (Rom. 9: 3- 5)
    -A son, not a slave but an heir.
    -See here the connection between bondage and freedom.

3. Pauls fears.

4: 8- 10

His points:

-How can you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements?
-These things are connected to bondage.

4. The two covenants. (21- 31)

Those who desire to be under the law.
-Bondwoman - freewoman.
-Liberty – bondage.

Gal 4:26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is our mother.

5. Freedom.

Gal 5:1 For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage.

Gal 5:2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that, if ye receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing.

Gal 5:3 Yea, I testify again to every man that receiveth circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

Gal 5:4 Ye are severed from Christ, ye would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace.

Which is the bondage that he has been discussing.
-The law versus the gospel.

What is said in Rom. 6

Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

Rom 6:2 God forbid. We who died to sin, how shall we any longer live therein?

The great concept of the new Testament:
-Through love serving one another.

Gal 5:13 For ye, brethren, were called for freedom; only use not your freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through love be servants one to another.

Gal 5:14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, evenin this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

Gal 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

Webbijbel

Gert-Jan Van Zanten