—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!
Summary: In this passage we gain greater insight into the threat to the Galatians’ faith that had Paul so worried.
In some ways, Paul’s letter to the Galatians is like the beach. The force of Paul’s argument rises up and marches forward like a wave upon the shore. Then, like a wave receding, Paul’s mood changes, and he returns to the topic of his fear.
He has been explaining his reasons for having faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Now, he seems to stop and take a breath. Then he asks, “How is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces?”
It is almost as if, after reviewing the facts in his letter, he is even more astounded that anyone who has once known the true gospel message could wander away from it!
So, what are these “weak and miserable forces” he mentions? What is it that might enslave us all over again?
Paul gives us a clue: It has something to do with the calendar. This is a different topic than circumcision … or is it?
For the Hebrews, circumcision goes back to Abraham (Genesis 17:9-14). When God led the Hebrews out of Egypt, he gave Moses the Law and a series of dates and times that the Hebrews were to honor. The Mosaic laws included:
- The Sabbath (special days, Genesis 2:2-3, Exodus 20:8-11),
- New Moons (Months, Numbers 10:10),
- The Festival of Weeks/Firstfruits (harvest season, Leviticus 23: 10-21),
- and the Year of Jubilee (years, Leviticus 25:8-13).
If the Galatians had deserted the gospel of Christ for a “different gospel” (Galatians 1:6), then we are left with the question, “What is this ‘different gospel?’”
The answer becomes clearer as we continue through Paul’s letter.
The Galatians were being told that to truly honor Christ they had to also honor the Jewish laws and calendar. They were being “enslaved” to a religion Jesus describes as an “old garment” or an “old wineskin” (Mark 2:21-22). To put it another way, if God were a new chick, the Jews were worshipping the broken shell.
Application: Keep it simple. Trust Jesus.
Food for Thought: How is being enslaved by a religion different than being free in Christ?
Our word “religion” goes back to a Latin word that means to “tie back.” It refers to things we must do to be in God’s good graces. Jesus didn’t teach a religion but a relationship based on not what we do, but what He did. The difference is between being a slave or a son. The son is free, the slave is not.
John 8: 31 – 36: To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
33They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” 34Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Matthew 11: 28 – 30: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Thank you Brother Rich,
Well said!
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
— John 8:36
Its sometimes a difficult thing to explain, the difference between being enslaved by a religion and being free in Christ. I say that because, on the outside, two people can be observed doing the same things, but internally, they are done for different reasons. One will live a life devoted to God, through Christ, and the presence of Christ in their heart leads them to observe and obey because of the honor for God that lives in their hearts. Their desire is to remain in His presence and have a relationship with Him. Another may live a life according to what they think honors God, what they have read or been told honors God, and in doing so, they believe they will in turn be honored by God. They begin to put their faith in their works for justification, instead of in Christ. But in that case there is always doubt, and doubt leads to fear. We become enslaved to it. Freedom in Christ is freedom to love, serve, and live in peace from doubt and fear.
James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Thank you, Chris.
You point us to the fact that faith in Christ is a personal relationship. It is not something that we can judge from the outside.
This is why Jesus cautions us about judging:
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:1-2)
How is being enslaved by a religion different than being free in Christ?
As a 33 year old, new believer, I lived alone, studied my bible and never missed a Sunday in church. At the same time my life was like the pendulum of a clock. I would swing from one extreme to another as God revealed His truths to me. At one time I would live a very restrained life as I adhered to every law that would come to mind, and at other times I would take full advantage of the freedom I had in Jesus as I lived according to His will, doing right and avoiding wrong AS I PERCEIVED THEM.
As time went by, in spite of myself, I grew in Christ. As He grew in me I gradually released control of my life and lived according to the small still voice in my heart. I began to listen to Christ’s evaluation of the alternatives set out before me, prior to making decisions. Prayer became a greater part of my life as I increased my dependance on Him over me. Stability began to become a big part of my life as I relaxed and obeyed God’s Word , allowing His counsel to rule.
47 years have passed and today I live a quiet but active life seeking God’s will in Christ over my own. I am not perfect, but I live a wonderful life as each day I seek obedience to my Lord over everything else. Yesterday is over, tomorrow has not arrived, leaving me free to fully live today which is given to me by God, according to according to His plan.
My freedom and stability, sanity in Christ are the greatest gifts I could ever have been given. He leads me in peace and uses me to share His good news with those He brings into my life. He has provided me with a wonderful family, we are fed, clothed and housed in safety, comfort and I have witnessed many miracles as He has through the years, kept us alive and well.
In Him I am home!
I really liked that imagery of the pendulum and your testimony that it illustrates.
Thanks, Ron!
I concur with Chris’s comment: Well said! 🙂