Galatians 4:30 Nevertheless what said the scripture? Cast out the female slave and her son… I. FREEDOM IS THE CHARACTERISTIC PRIVILEGE OF THE GOSPEL. 1. Christ proclaimed freedom from sin (John 8:33-36). 2. Paul proclaimed freedom from the law, both ceremonial and moral 3. But does not the latter (1) contradict the former? is not lawlessness sinfulness? (2) contradict the moral sense which asserts the obligation of the moral law? II. THIS FREEDOM IS THE PROVISION OF THE COVENANT OF GRACE. 1. This covenant is no longer restricted to an observance of the law, but is fulfilled by us when we believe in Christ. 2. The purpose of this covenant is the same as that of the covenant of the law, but that purpose is effected(1) by a different method, viz., faith in One who has fulfilled the law, which we could not do. (2) By a higher method by introducing us into a state in which we keep the law by the effective motive of sonship; into which state we enter by faith in God's Son. 3. This faith works by love, which is henceforth our ruling impulse (Romans 13:10), and we become followers of God, not as servants, but as "dear children," having received the spirit of adoption. III. THIS COVENANT ANSWERS THE YEARNINGS OF THE HUMAN SOUL, which are — 1. To be reconciled to God and at peace with Him. This is accomplished through Him who fulfilled the law for us. 2. To serve Him truly. This is done by Him who conquers evil in us, and who gives us through faith a power to work the works of God (John 6:28-9). IV. THIS COVENANT BRINGS US THEREFORE UNDER THE LAW TO CHRIST. Hence the moral precepts of the gospel; which are given — 1. Because of the imperfection of our faith and lest liberty should become licence. 2. To supply us with the means of self-examination whether we are keeping the royal law of liberty. (Canon Vernon Hutton.) Parallel Verses KJV: Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. |
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