Freedom’s Measure (2015)-1

FREEDOM’S MEASURE—Galatians 4:19—5:6

OR...CAST OFF THE YOKE

Read ‘The Declaration of Independence’ transcription(minus the 18 ‘Facts’—specific grievances listed—& minus 56 signers)—18 grievances...27 total[9 of which are sub-categories to “Acts of pretended Legislation”])

Paul exhorted the Galatian Christians to prioritize their freedom in Christ.

Christians should measure their freedom in Christ.

But if you do not know what freedom is then you cannot prioritize it!...So...

How can Christians measure their freedom?

5 measures of personal freedom.

1—Freedom is measured by your...

FORMATION(:19-20)

Explanation:(:19-20)

:19—“My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you”

Paul has already “birthed” the church at Galatia, but due to their actions(belying their hearts) there has resulted a miscarriage of sorts.. Thus Paul feels that he must “labor in birth” a 2nd time (“again”).

*Some of you have experienced miscarriage & the heartache it brings. Many of you still live with that pain. From that point you are hesitant to even consider the process again knowing the potential manifold pains of another failure. Yet, despite the heartache you persevere.

“Christ” must be “formed” in us rather than the sharer’s(Paul, etc.) being “formed.” Without formation in Christ Jesus, we are game for cultic practices & sectarianism.

*Many a mission has been undermined as evidenced thru nationals ‘ministered to’ taking on ‘western ways’—mannerisms, clothing, hairstyles, etc. rather than Christian ways! Personally it causes me to ponder the rationale & training received that lies behind poverty-stricken african nationals wearing suit & tie.

Granted, having received Christ, they actively stand in opposition to previous lifestyles & a culture steeped in tribalism, idolatry, witchcraft, etc. But I suspect that if they had been ministered to thru any other culture's outreach they would not have chosen to combat their own thru western culture! Rather the culture of every age & place is to be inevitably changed &/or influenced by Christ’s being “formed” in them. And this, knowing that no culture/nation will ever become intrinsically ‘Christian’ this side of heaven.

“Little Children”—teknion—1) A little child; 2) in the NT--Used as a term of kindly address by teachers to their disciples. Strong—diminutive of teknon[a child]; An infant, i.e. plural figuratively--Darlings(Christian converts). Used 9X.

“Labor in birth/Travail in birth/In labor/In the pains of childbirth/Suffering labor pains”—wdinw—1) To feel the pains of child birth, to travail. Strong—To experience the pains of parturition(literally or figuratively). Used 3X.

*“Formed”—morfow— 1st Aorist Passive Subjunctive(possibility/potentiality)—1)To form. differs from "figure, shape, fashion", as that which is intrinsic & essential, from that which is outward & accidental. Strong—To fashion(figuratively). Used 1X.

:20—“I would like to be present with you now & to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.”

Paul’s desire is to minister face-to-face. He wants the Galatian Christians to have an attitude & altitude that is determined by means of commitment to God’s apostolic message & power.

Paul is entirely perplexed(unable to get to where they are) about the Galatian’s choices which are resulting in their hypocrisy.

“Like to”(See :21—“Desire”)—yelw—Imperfect Active Indicative—1) To will, have in mind, intend. Yelw denotes the active resolution, the will urging on to action, see Ro 7:15, while boulomai is rather to have in thought, to intend, to be determined. boulomai sometimes means no more than to have an inclination. Strong—To determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas boulomai properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations), i.e. Choose or prefer(literally or figuratively); by implication--To wish, i.e. Be inclined to (sometimes adverbially--Gladly); impersonally for the future tense--To be about to; by Hebraism--To delight in.

“Present”—pareimi—1) To be by, be at hand, to have arrived, to be present; 2) To be ready, in store, at command. Strong—To be near, i.e. At hand; neuter present participle (singular)--Time being, or (plural)--Property.

“Change”—allassw—1) To change, to exchange one thing for another, to transform. Strong—To make different. Used 6X. Acts 6:14

“Tone”—fwnh—1)A sound, tone; 2)A voice; 3)Speech. Strong—A tone(articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication--An address(for any purpose), saying or language.

“Doubts/Perplexed/Do not know what to do”—aporew—1)To be without resources, to be in straits, to be left wanting, to be embarrassed, to be in doubt, not to know which way to turn; 2)To be at a loss with one's self, be in doubt; 3)Not to know how to decide or what to do, to be perplexed. Strong—from a compound of A(as a negative particle) & the base of poreuomai[ To traverse, i.e. Travel(literally or figuratively; especially--To remove[figuratively--Die], live, etc.)]; To have no way out, i.e. Be at a loss(mentally).

Argumentation:

1Cor. 4:14—“I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.”

1Jn. 2:1-7—“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, & not for ours only but also for the whole world. Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” & does not keep His commandments, is a liar, & the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.”