Lent IV- Galatians 4:21-31

 For this Sunday, our attention is drawn to the Epistle from Galatians 4:21-31. In this passage, the Apostle Paul uses a figurative approach to the Old Testament that was familiar in his day but may seem unusual in our time. Abraham's two wives, Hagar and Sarah, along with their sons, are seen as types or models of two different kinds of covenant relationship with God. Hagar and her son Ishmael represent the covenant based on law; Sarah and her son Isaac represent the new covenant based on grace and the promise in Christ. 

St. Paul opposes those who wish to turn the Christian message into some sort of legalistic code. He calls on believers to realize that they serve under a new and higher covenant with God. While the Law has good purposes in exposing sin and promoting goodness, Christ offers a more spiritual relationship with God. Christians have been set free from legalism to serve God as true spiritual sons and daughters.

Christians continue to need this reminder about our relationship with God. On one hand, we live in an age characterized by moral and spiritual lawlessness. In such a social context, people do need to be reminded of the Law and Commandments. Sin should be pointed out. Efforts do need to be made to limit its damage to society and to individuals. People should be called to repentance. In these ways, the Law continues to have useful purposes.

On the other hand, in terms of our covenant relationship with God, the Law is not supreme. And if we do not advance beyond the Law in our moral and religious lives, we are not free or spiritual. Only grace and promise received through faith in Jesus Christ can make us heirs of the higher and heavenly covenant. Law is only a general guide while the work of the Spirit goes further and frees us for true service as children of God.

This general truth has a special application as we look toward Good Friday and Easter. During Lent, Christians focus on preparations and spiritual discipline. Historically, the Church has encouraged certain practices to promote self-denial and deeper devotion. Many may have decided to give up certain things, to read more Scripture, to study a book, to engage in more personal or corporate devotions, to perform some new service for other people, etc. Such disciplines and rules can have useful purposes, but there is also the danger of falling into legalism. We should remain aware that even good and useful practices do not make us holy. We can not earn our way into being God's children. The higher purpose of all devotional practices is to encourage us to be more open to divine grace, the promises of the Gospel, and the workings of the Holy Spirit. May we always live as "children of promise" and "children of the free" (Gal. 3:28, 31)!