"Redeemed From The Law"

Galatians 4:1-5

1) Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

2) But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

3) Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

4) But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

5) To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

T

he “law” spoken of in the scriptures, is a dispensation given by God to govern men. From its creation, its purpose was to prove to man that it could not be kept. Indeed, we have spiritual proof that it was never kept.

In the same vein, the commandments of God were given to men to inform them of what God said they were not to do. Isn’t it ironic that men pride themselves in keeping only a “part” of the commandments, evidently, feeling that not doing only some of what one is commanded not to do at all, is reason to rejoice?

The problem with all of this “backslapping” is that it is misplaced, for scripture informs us that when one commandment is broken, all are broken. The explanation for this is that in that the commandments are given to govern the flesh,” if one breaks even one, it is indicative that that individual is directed by the flesh.

Until Jesus came to set us free from bondage to the flesh, we had no freedom from sin—and no possibility to be free. This is because sin is housed in and the result of operating in the flesh. Therefore, if one is freed from one’s flesh, he is then freed from sin.

The Lord has directed the start of this new series, “the motive of the ministry” because we need to understand that ministry exists for a purpose. Apart from understanding this, we are just “attending church.”

To avoid disappointment, don’t be deceived into believing that all preachers are aware of the purpose of the ministry or that those who do know agree on that purpose.

Included in the “method of the ministry” is teaching people about trials and tests and what they mean. One should not be taken by surprise in them and when one is, it is indicative of the fact that he does not understand.

There is no law against that which is spiritual. In other words, if one operates in the Spirit, he will never be under penalty of the Law.

One knows he is operating in the Spirit if all that he “knows,” he knows by the direction of the Spirit of God. After salvation, there is nothing that should be dealt with in the flesh, for as spiritual beings, consulting the flesh will only “confuse” and “disorient” us.

Our scripture speaks of the “heir,” though he be an heir, being the same as a servant—until he grows to maturity. We are then reminded that though man is destined to be a Son of God, before he “inherits” that position, he, too, is in bondage to the things of the world.

The receipt of all that has been promised us is dependent upon our willingness to fulfill God’s requirements. Rest assured, all “promises” will be granted to us if we ever get to the place (in God) to which we have been “bound.” That “place” is spiritual operation with no influence of the flesh, which means that we will be sinless, holy and sanctified.

Even after all of these years of apostolic teaching and “knowing God,” there are still people who will dare to say that no one can live “sin free.” What most do not want to accept is that one’s unsuccessful spiritual life is indicative of his spiritual state. If you don’t live sin-free, guess what it says about you? That you are selfish and do not love God. If you have no “sustained life” in Christ, it is because of having no “sustained relationship” with God.

One’s willingness to “live saved,” is not just about your getting to heaven. Even in your salvation, others are to be considered. You see, there is no way to win people to the Lord but by (the people who would win them) living saved, Yes, one can knock on doors, make ones calls, have neighborhood “drives.” But, even if people are won through these means, how will they be kept in the church?

God made salvation “interactive,” giving us standards and requirements that through their keeping, are to communicate a “bond” and a “community” dedicated to the Lord and glorifying a risen Savior.

Contrary to what many may believe, “beating people into submission” brings neither community nor cooperation. When one has something to “sell,” he extols its praises to as many people as possible. If Jesus has been the healer, deliverer, doctor, lawyer and Savior we claim He has been, then why are we so quick to “hide” Him and the things He does, is and stands for?

It would seem as if since the coming of the Holy Ghost to the United States in 1901, men have lived a salvation consisting of discovering “rules” and keeping them. The problem this brings about is that “rules” dictated by Man are bound to be broken. This is why the Lord admonishes us that His commandments must be written on “the tables of our hearts,” meaning our minds. Since the mind is the “seat” of that which motivates man, “doing right” must be part of what motivates us or we will never do right.

One is “redeemed from the Law” only if freed from the flesh. But, if one is not freed from the flesh, he cannot be saved, for flesh is “anathema” to the Spirit. And salvation is all about Jesus—Who He is and what He has done!