Some thoughts on Galatians 3:23-29: A new era of freedom and equality in Christ
With Christ’s arrival, God has ushered in a new era of freedom and equality. The “positional concepts of superiority” that divided the human race have been removed by Christ. Three prominent examples are given by Paul. Jews were no longer superior to Gentiles, or free citizens superior to slaves, or males superior to females (v.28). Paul’s words here are totally radical. Jews for generations saw themselves as God’s chosen people. “Civilized society” logically deemed free Roman citizens superior to slaves. And in a world where males have always been given privileged domination in all aspects of society, men were assumed superior to women. To accept justification in Christ by faith was to also embrace the freedom that comes with it requiring a total major shift in one’s worldview, resulting in a political, social, cultural, and religious revolution.
Females in Christ are given the rights of sons, stressing the positional privileges of sons in a male dominated world (v.26). All who belong to Christ are Abraham’s children, even if one was a Gentile or a slave (v.29)
But why is it that after almost 2,000 years, the church still struggles with these basic issues of freedom and equality? Why are people in Christ still divided and judged according to race, socio-economic status, and gender?
Perhaps a clue (among other things) can be found in verse 25-27. We are free in Christ, but we must not forget that being free assumes we understand the depth and width of sin, in order that we might live freely from sin and law (see also previous notes). And it assumes a maturity that comes with being clothed with Christ, which is living as Christ would have us (v27).
Paul’s words here are radical. Jews for generations saw themselves as God’s chosen people. “Civilized society” logically deemed free Roman citizens superior to slaves. And in a world where males have always been given privileged domination in all aspects of society, men were assumed superior to women. To accept justification in Christ by faith was to also embrace the freedom that comes with it requiring a total major shift in one’s worldview, resulting in a political, social, cultural, and religious revolution.
For personal reflection:
What should it mean in practice that we are all one in Christ? ... See MoreSee Less
We are very blessed to have the youths lead us in worship this Sunday. Please join us at 10am at KCC or live at bit.ly/KCClive. Our speaker is one of our young people, Isaac Wan. The sermon topic/title will be "The Gospel: Back to the BASICs". ... See MoreSee Less
Our service is now live (Sunday 10am). Come join us at bit.ly/KCClive. Our speaker is Max Liddle. The sermon topic is "He Ascended Into Heaven". ... See MoreSee Less
Some thoughts on Galatians 3:21-22: Only Christ can set us free from the prison of sin
21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 22 But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
The law was given because of "transgressions" (parabasis) (v.19), i.e. the law was given so we might know that we have broken God’s laws (v.22). The law was meant to be a temporary thing, until the Promised Seed (Christ) came (v.19) to rectify our sin problem / bondage by setting us free (v.22).
The law is not opposed to the promises of God (v.21). Rather it points us to the promises of God. The law reveals sin as sin and reminds us of our need for a Saviour. The law is good and gives life but only if we are able to do fully and consistently do everything the law requires (see Leviticus 18:5, Galatians 3:12). But that we know is impossible (v.22). The best of us might at a moment in time in our lives have kept all the law requires but we can never do this every single day of our lives. To fail at one point at any time would mean we have broken the whole law.
So again, we are left with no other choice but to trust (have faith) in the promise of God in Christ to be set free from our sins. Christ is God’s promised Saviour and has fully kept the Law on our behalf. It is something to rejoice in and be glad in!
For personal reflection:
Why do so many find trusting and embracing and the salvation He freely offers so difficult to do? How can you help someone you know trust in Jesus? ... See MoreSee Less
Kelston Community Church
Pastor’s notes for 30 March 2025
Some thoughts on Galatians 3:23-29: A new era of freedom and equality in Christ
With Christ’s arrival, God has ushered in a new era of freedom and equality. The “positional concepts of superiority” that divided the human race have been removed by Christ. Three prominent examples are given by Paul. Jews were no longer superior to Gentiles, or free citizens superior to slaves, or males superior to females (v.28).
Paul’s words here are totally radical. Jews for generations saw themselves as God’s chosen people. “Civilized society” logically deemed free Roman citizens superior to slaves. And in a world where males have always been given privileged domination in all aspects of society, men were assumed superior to women. To accept justification in Christ by faith was to also embrace the freedom that comes with it requiring a total major shift in one’s worldview, resulting in a political, social, cultural, and religious revolution.
Females in Christ are given the rights of sons, stressing the positional privileges of sons in a male dominated world (v.26). All who belong to Christ are Abraham’s children, even if one was a Gentile or a slave (v.29)
But why is it that after almost 2,000 years, the church still struggles with these basic issues of freedom and equality? Why are people in Christ still divided and judged according to race, socio-economic status, and gender?
Perhaps a clue (among other things) can be found in verse 25-27. We are free in Christ, but we must not forget that being free assumes we understand the depth and width of sin, in order that we might live freely from sin and law (see also previous notes). And it assumes a maturity that comes with being clothed with Christ, which is living as Christ would have us (v27).
Paul’s words here are radical. Jews for generations saw themselves as God’s chosen people. “Civilized society” logically deemed free Roman citizens superior to slaves. And in a world where males have always been given privileged domination in all aspects of society, men were assumed superior to women. To accept justification in Christ by faith was to also embrace the freedom that comes with it requiring a total major shift in one’s worldview, resulting in a political, social, cultural, and religious revolution.
For personal reflection:
What should it mean in practice that we are all one in Christ? ... See MoreSee Less
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We are very blessed to have the youths lead us in worship this Sunday. Please join us at 10am at KCC or live at bit.ly/KCClive. Our speaker is one of our young people, Isaac Wan. The sermon topic/title will be "The Gospel: Back to the BASICs". ... See MoreSee Less
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Our service is now live (Sunday 10am). Come join us at bit.ly/KCClive. Our speaker is Max Liddle. The sermon topic is "He Ascended Into Heaven". ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Pastor’s notes for 23 March 2025
Some thoughts on Galatians 3:21-22: Only Christ can set us free from the prison of sin
21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.
22 But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
The law was given because of "transgressions" (parabasis) (v.19), i.e. the law was given so we might know that we have broken God’s laws (v.22). The law was meant to be a temporary thing, until the Promised Seed (Christ) came (v.19) to rectify our sin problem / bondage by setting us free (v.22).
The law is not opposed to the promises of God (v.21). Rather it points us to the promises of God. The law reveals sin as sin and reminds us of our need for a Saviour. The law is good and gives life but only if we are able to do fully and consistently do everything the law requires (see Leviticus 18:5, Galatians 3:12). But that we know is impossible (v.22). The best of us might at a moment in time in our lives have kept all the law requires but we can never do this every single day of our lives. To fail at one point at any time would mean we have broken the whole law.
So again, we are left with no other choice but to trust (have faith) in the promise of God in Christ to be set free from our sins. Christ is God’s promised Saviour and has fully kept the Law on our behalf. It is something to rejoice in and be glad in!
For personal reflection:
Why do so many find trusting and embracing and the salvation He freely offers so difficult to do? How can you help someone you know trust in Jesus? ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
... See MoreSee Less
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