[Galatians 4:28-31], "Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. But what does the Scripture say? ‘Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.’ 31 Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman."

Isaac was a child of promise so believers are children of God (who are co-heirs with Christ in the promise of heaven). The spiritual children of Hagar and Ishmael will not receive an inheritance (by their works of the flesh), but the spiritual children of Sarah and Isaac will receive salvation (by their faith in Christ). No one outside the covenant of grace can receive the inheritance that is only by grace (through faith in Christ).

We are not children of the world (who are slaves to sin), but children of God (who are slaves to righteousness). In concluding chapter 4 there is the following contrast between the way of the law and the way of grace (or the way of works and the way of faith). There is also this contrast: wrath/mercy, bondage/freedom, Old Covenant/New Covenant, Sinai/Zion, flesh/Spirit, and lost/saved. Satan and his way of works will end in destruction, but God and His way of grace will result in eternal life. Combining the two is unacceptable.

[Galatians 5:1-2] "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. 2 Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all."

John 8:32 & 36 says that the truth will set us free and if the Son sets us free, we will definitely be free (from ceremonial law, rituals, and formalities). Jesus died on the cross to free us from the power of Satan and to make forgiveness possible for any repentant sinner. The apostle is reminding us not to go back to self effort and slavery to sin. He says that if we go back to following Jewish customs (in order to be right with God rather than by faith in Christ), Jesus would be of no value to us. That is a serious matter, because Christ is (and must be) of the greatest spiritual value to everyone.

[Galatians 5:3-4] "Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace."

The apostle again states the main issue that if we try to obey just one rule or law (as a reason to be more spiritual or to be acceptable to God), we would then have to obey every law (which is not possible). (James 2:10) "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." The Apostle Paul then says that trying to be right with God by works of the flesh, results in being separated from Christ. He says that it is possible to fall from grace. Since we are saved by grace through faith in Christ, to fall from grace or be separated from Christ, is to be lost.

[Galatians 5:5-6] "But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."

No one can be righteous by any outwardly righteous action. The only way to be right in God’s sight is to believe in His Son Jesus. The living hope every believer has, is to be righteous through their genuine faith in the righteous Son of God. Being in Christ by following Him in faith, is of the greatest spiritual value. Observing Jewish customs, rituals, or ceremonies has no spiritual value whatever. God looks only at our heart to see if we are faithful to His Son (because of our deep love for Him).

[Galatians 5:7-9] "You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 ‘A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.’"

We know that the Christian life is often referred to as a race. Hebrews 12:1 says we are to run the race that is marked out with perseverance. In refuting false doctrines that are prevalent today, the apostle says we were running the Christian race well, but (WEY) "Who has interfered and caused you to swerve from the truth?" The Galatians knew that salvation is by grace alone and faith in Christ only, so they should not allow anyone to convince them that there is something to add.

In verse 8 he reminds us that the Lord who calls us to His truth, would not tell us that there is something to add (to make salvation possible). The sacrifice of His Son on the cross was a perfect sacrifice, so we only need to keep our faith and trust on that atonement work to enter the New Jerusalem. The apostle mentions how a little false teaching can defile many believers.

[Galatians 5:10] "I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be." The apostle is sure that they will hold steadfast in God’s truth (of salvation by grace through faith), but he then gives a stern warning to those who would hinder someone’s faith or influence them to follow a wrong teaching. God will deal with such people (he says).

[Galatians 5:11-12] "Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12 As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate [mutilate] themselves!"

The persecution he met, proved that he was teaching the true gospel. If he had taught salvation by works, the religious leaders would not be offended and thus not persecute him. They opposed him because he preached salvation by grace through faith. Jesus said that if the world hates us, it is because it hated Him first (John 15:18).

If the apostle taught a works salvation message, the Cross would not be an offense to the Jews (who did not accept Christ as their Savior). The apostle then says that if the false teachers insist on following one Jewish custom (in order to be saved), then why not go to the pagan extremes of self-mutilation. To add any human effort, works, or outward religious actions to God’s plan of salvation (through grace and faith in Christ alone), is to set aside (or to reject) the grace of God.

[Galatians 5:13-15] "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. 14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 15 If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other."

We are free to follow Christ, but not free to follow the world. God’s grace is not a license to sin, but freedom from sin. Titus 2:12 explains that true grace says ‘No, to ungodliness and worldly passions,’ but yes to helping, serving, and doing things because of divine love for others. The Apostle Paul refers to Jesus’ answer to an expert in the law (Matthew 22:37) about loving the Lord your God as the most important commandment (and loving others as the second, in importance). He then gives a warning about not criticizing and not slandering fellow believers, as it could lead to much injury and harm.

[Galatians 5:16-18] "So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law."

He mentions again the vital importance of having the Holy Spirit within to guide us each day and to help us make scriptural decisions. If the Spirit is in control (he is saying) we will not want what the world wants. He goes on to explain how opposite the two natures are and how the Christian life is a constant struggle against sin (Hebrews 12:4). We are not forced to do right and scriptural things (as the law demands), but we will want to do right and scriptural things that are in harmony with God’s will and Word.

[Galatians 5:19-21] "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality [fornication], impurity and debauchery [indecency or lust]; 20 idolatry and witchcraft [demonic activities]; hatred, discord [fighting], jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions [divisions], factions [small group against the main body], 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies [wild parties], and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit [have no share] the kingdom of God."

In another refutation of the once saved always saved delusion, the apostle lists specific sins that would prevent anyone from entering the kingdom. False teachers claim that once you come to saving faith in Christ it is impossible to lose your salvation, but the Bible doesn’t teach that. The devil is at work in the world to sidetrack any believer who is not aware of his evil intentions. He wants people to fall into serious sins in order to negate their salvation. There is forgiveness in Christ, but the individual must admit their sin, confess it before God, and return to the faith in order to be saved.

[Galatians 5:22-23] "But the fruit of the Spirit is love [harvest of love], joy, peace, patience [even tempered], kindness, goodness [generosity], faithfulness, 23 gentleness [humility] and self-control [self-restraint]. Against such things there is no law."

To live by the Spirit is to produce spiritual fruit. This is the work of the Holy Spirit within our heart. These character traits are seen in the nature of Christ and are by-products of our faith in Him. For spiritual fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc. to grow in us, we must stay connected to the Vine, because without Him we can do nothing right spiritually (John 15:5). Living in freedom from sin by the Holy Spirit, is in full harmony with the law (not against it).

[Galatians 5:24-25] "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires [appetites]. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." It is the same thought of 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." It is to say that the sin nature in us is dead and buried, but a Christ-like nature is alive and in control.

We are to walk in line with God’s will (as His Holy Spirit gives the desire, the enlightenment, and the ability to do so). We still have the capacity to sin, but Christ’s work on the cross has set us free from sin’s power and influence. We are not obligated to give in to Satan and sin, but we are obligated to live by the Spirit. We are to daily crucify our sinful tendencies and (moment by moment) to draw on the Spirit’s power to overcome the desires of the flesh.

[Galatians 5:26] "Let us not become conceited [vain], provoking [irritating] and envying [being jealous of] each other." In today’s world people are obsessed with their appearance and of being accepted by others (which can easily results in being conceited and looking down on others who don’t measure up to the world’s standards). The apostle is warning us against vanity, conceit, quarreling, and jealousy. Those things result from not living by the Spirit.

The Apostle James reminds us (3:16), "For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice." Then saying (17-18), "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."

If we are conceited, jealous, and always provoking others, we are not living by the Spirit, but living like the world. We must look only to God for approval, because He looks at the heart. We are to be humble (not conceited), contented (not jealous), and the peacemaker (not provoking). Galatians 5:16 reminds us to "live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature," [because] "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."