September 10, 2021 – Galatians 3,4

So much in this third chapter of Galatians! Paul explains the roles of the law and the gospel and the relationship between the two. The big take-away? “Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for ‘The righteous shall live by faith’” (3:11).

Paul continues: “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God” (4:4-7). Just think about this! Once enemies of God, we are now children of God, part of his family. We get to call him “Father,” and “he walks with us and he talks with us and he tells us we are his own” (from In the Garden, one of Grandpa’s favorite hymns; we sang it at his funeral).

I come to the garden alone

While the dew is still on the roses

And the voice I hear falling on my ear

The Son of God discloses

And He walks with me

And He talks with me

And He tells me I am his own

And the joy we share as we tarry there

None other has ever known. --Charles A. Miles (1913)