At year end tends to be a time of extremes. Some fall into one extreme of debauchery and falling back into a lifestyle that they were redeemed from. Or the other extreme, like that of the Galatians, of falling into a type of legalism of trying to earn their favour with God.
The Galatians has learned to call God “Father”. Yet they were in imminent danger of going from sonship right back into slavery. They were about to squander their spiritual inheritance by selling their birthright as sons and daughters of God.
Paul had reminded them of his own conversion by the Gospel (Gal. 1:11-2:21). He appealed to their experience of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 3:1-5). He showed them from Biblical examples and theology (Gal. 3:6-14). He used examples from everyday life (Gal. 3:15-4:7). Finally in the middle of chapter 4, Paul pleads with the Galatians on the basis of their personal relationship. Afraid that all his work has been in vain, he pours out his soul to them. (Philip Graham Ryken. Galatians: Reformed Expository Commentary. P&R Press. 2005. p. 169)
Do you have particular year end traditions? Do you make resolutions? Do you vow to exercise more or eat better? Do you promise to pray more, or read you Bible more faithfully?
Year end can be a helpful time of year of forsaking old habits and unproductive ways and embracing helpful spiritual disciplines. In this we must 1) Forsake our Former life, 2) Understand our Present Life and 3) Live for our Future Life
1) Forsaking the Former Life: Galatians 4:8
Galatians 4:8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. (ESV).
Paul has already explained that in their former life, they were
Galatians 4:3 [3]In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. (ESV)
• Before they came to know the one true God, the Galatians believed in other beings (gods such as Zeus and Hermes—(Paul’s experience in Lystra, a city in Galatia, in Acts 14:8–18) (Barton, B. B. (1994). Galatians. Life application Bible commentary (133). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House)
For the Jews that bondage lay in the belief that the law could make them righteous. For the Gentiles, the bondage was that of idolatry (1 Thes. 1:9).
To keep his beloved Galatians from slipping back into slavery, the apostle Paul tries to remind them how they had become the children of God in the first place. Paul shows from their former life them that they did not know God.”
Please turn to Romans 1
To know (gnontes, from ginōskō, lit., “to know intimately and on a personal level”) (Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (2:602). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
• It speaks of relational knowledge. God initiates the “knowing”; we know him only because he first knew us.
• It is more than just factually or head knowledge.
• The unbeliever while he may have a head knowledge of God does not have fellowship or communion with the Almighty God.
Romans 1:19-23 [19]For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. [20]For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. [21]For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. [22]Claiming to be wise, they became fools, [23]and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. (ESV)
There was a time when the Galatians did not know God in a relational way. Most of them were Gentiles, and thus they were unacquainted with the God of the Bible. They worshiped pagan gods and goddesses. Some of them were into astrology and watched the signs of the zodiac. Others worshiped the deities of ancient Greece. All through Galatia, people belonged to the Roman imperial cult. None of these deities were really gods at all. They were mere idols. Yet because demonic influences were at work, bowing down to false gods brought real spiritual bondage (Philip Graham Ryken. Galatians: Reformed Expository Commentary. P&R Press. 2005. p. 170)
• The concept of the Roman imperial cult is not so far removed from what people look to today. Countless citizens are looking to Government for deliverance. From economic stimulus to bailout of industries, they put their hope in politicians for future happiness.
o There are times when a people stray from God, that He allows them, like what is described in Romans 1, to receive the just rewards for their actions. In essence, God says: “you look to government/the economy for happiness, then see just how well that will work out”
• The issue in Galatians 4:8 and here in Romans 1 is that of Idolatry.
o It speaks of a type of slavery, an illustration pointed to previously in Galatians. It would be foolish for those redeemed from idolatry to seek to go back to such slavery.
o Some Christians will look back at the previous year, see a lack of spiritual growth and commit to a new program of memorization or Bible reading which, while helpful practices, become almost a legalistic system of trying to earn favour and merit with God.
Spiritual disciples like prayer, Bible reading and memorization are great disciplines for Spiritual growth but they do not in and of themselves earn merit or favour with God.
Before the Galatians came to Christ their religion was that of works, and they were enslaved to various man-made gods that were actually not gods at all. The unredeemed are slaves not only to the law but also to idols (1 Cor. 8:5).
1 Corinthians 10:20 [20]No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. (ESV)
• Satan and his workers, Demons, are behind every false religion and mysticism, from fortune telling, Tarot cards, to weegie boards.
• Even while they did not know God (intimate relationship), they still sought to fulfill the void that was missing from their lives with religion.
• Religion says what can we do to please God or to find favour in the eyes of God.
• The Bible says that without faith it is impossible to please God, while it is true that we do have works, but our works are the outward evidences of our faith. (http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=117622&Page=1)
All this effort is an expression of Idolatry:
Definition: “Idolatry is worshiping anything that ought to be used, or using anything that ought to be worshiped.” -Augustine.
• It is worship of anything other than the one true God who reveals himself in Christ.
o Anything that supplants Christ as central to our lives is idolatry. For a Christian to think that he or she can assume the role of God to control every aspect of their lives is likewise idolatry.
o True Christian living is purposeful but cognisant that we live under the sovereign control of the almighty God and must live according to His timing.
Quote: For Israel there were the Canaanite Baals, those jolly nature gods whose worship was a rampage of gluttony, drunkenness, and ritual prostitution. For us there are still the great gods Sex, Shekels, and Stomach (an unholy trinity constituting one god: self), and the other enslaving trio, Pleasure, Possessions, and Position, whose worship is described as “The lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16). Football, the Firm, and Family are also gods for some. Indeed the list of other gods is endless, for anything that anyone allows to run his life becomes his god. (Your Father Loves You by James Packer, Harold Shaw Publishers, 1986, page for April 17)
Illustration: Year end sees many high profile sports competitions. But when does sports as entertainment become sports as idolatry? Consider this banner seen at Lambeau Field in 1996, the season the Green Bay Packers won the Super Bowl in New Orleans and their quarterback Brett Favre was named the most valuable player:
“Our Favre who art in Lambeau, hallowed be thy arm. The Bowl will come, it will be won, in New Orleans as it is in Lambeau. Give us this Sunday our weekly win. And give us many touchdown passes. But do not let others pass against us. Lead us not into frustration, but deliver us to Bourbon Street. For thine is the MVP, the best of the NFL, and the glory of the cheeseheads, now and forever. Go get ’em!”
• Apparently some fans recognize their team support for what it really is: worship. (Larson, C. B. (2002). 750 engaging illustrations for preachers, teachers & writers.)
We must 1) Forsake our Former life and
2) Understanding the Present life: Galatians 4:9
There is a change that takes place to the Christian, specified in verse nine:
Galatians 4:9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?
“Knowing God” is not enough
Matthew 7:23 [23]And then will I declare to them, ’I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (ESV)
We need to be Known by God
Quote: “Relationship with God does not have its basis in [human] seeking (mysticism), or doing (legalism) or knowing (gnosticism), but it originates with God … and is carried on always by divine grace.”( Longenecker, Galatians, p. 180 as found in Witherington III, B. (1998). Grace in Galatia : A Commentary on St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians (300). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.)
Please turn to John 10
2 Timothy 2:19 [19]But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity." (ESV) (cf. Ex. 33:17; Nah. 1:7; 1 Cor. 8:3)
There is a particular relationship between those God knows and how they relate to Him.
John 10:14-30 [14]I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, [15]just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. [16]And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. [17]For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. [18]No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father." [19]There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. [20]Many of them said, "He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?" [21]Others said, "These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?" [22]At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, [23]and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. [24]So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." [25]Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, [26]but you do not believe because you are not part of my flock. [27]My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. [28]I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. [29]My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. [30]I and the Father are one." (ESV)
How does this all fit together in terms of being in terms of being known by God and directing our lives. It all comes down to what we honor.
• For the Jews, they sought light. The light of the one to come.
• For the Greeks, they sought knowledge and wisdom as a path to enlightment.
• For the Romans, they sought glory. They sough to honor their personal ideals.
2 Corinthians 4:6 [6]For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (ESV)
Christ is the fulfillment of enlightenment, wisdom and glory. It cannot be found in worshipping nature, personal enlightenment or self-help. It is only found in being known by God through faith in Christ.
The tenses of the verbs in verse 9 indicate that the Galatians were in the process of turning back to legalism but (were not yet apostate). They were observing the Jewish holy days and holy seasons but they had not as yet accepted circumcision, the gateway into Judaism, (5:2) The Judaizers were crafty, for they were leading the Galatians by degrees into legalism.(Gingrich, R. E. (2005). The Book of Galatians (25). Memphis, TN.: Riverside Printing.)
It is significant that the word Paul used for “turning back” (epistrephō) was a technical term for both religious conversion (cf. 1 Thess 1:9; Acts 9:35; 15:19) and religious apostasy (cf. 2 Pet 2:21–22).
However, real apostasy, (as opposed to a temporary backsliding), is possible only for those who have never been genuinely converted. Paul had good reason to believe that this was not the case with his Galatian converts, whom he called “brothers” and “my dear children.” At the same time, Paul did not claim to possess infallible knowledge of the spiritual status of his readers. He therefore had to entertain the possibility that at least some of them may have feigned repentance, received water baptism, and even “tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come” (Heb 6:5) without being savingly converted (George, T. (2001, c1994). Vol. 30: Galatians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (316). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
They were in danger of going back to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world,
Paul was amazed and dismayed. Did they understand that they would be going back to a state of religious slavery? Was this their desire? If so, why would they be attracted to a system that was weak (it could not justify or energize for godly living- compare Heb 7:18) and worthless (it could not provide an inheritance (Eph 1:18)). (Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (2:602). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
Paul is asking here: Why do you desire to be enslaved all over again? Now that you are sons, he asks the wavering Galatians, why do you want to go back into slavery? Now that you are free adults through faith in Christ, why do you want to revert to your childhood servitude under the law?
Poem: On Backsliding William Cowper wrote:
Dear Lord! accept a sinful heart,
Which of itself complains,
And mourns, with much and frequent smart,
The evil it contains.
There fiery seeds of anger lurk,
Which often hurt my frame;
And wait but for the tempter’s work,
To fan them to a flame.
Legality holds out a bribe
To purchase life from Thee;
And Discontent would fain prescribe
How Thou shalt deal with me.
While Unbelief withstands Thy grace,
And puts the mercy by;
Presumption, with a brow of brass,
Says, “Give me, or I die!”
How eager are my thoughts to roam,
In quest of what they love!
But ah! when duty calls them home,
How heavily they move!
Oh, cleanse me in a Saviour’s blood,
Transform my by Thy power,
And make me Thy beloved abode,
And let me roam no more.
(Olney Hymns, William Cowper, from Cowper’s Poems, Sheldon & Company, New York)
We must 1) Forsake our Former life, 2) Understand our Present Life and
3) Live for our Future Life: Galatians 4:10-11
Galatians 4:10 You observe days and months and seasons and years!
The Galatians were returning to the ritualistic observance of days and months and seasons and years.
The expression days, months, seasons, and years probably refers to the Jewish system of religious feasts, since it is the Judaizers who are the strong opponents of Paul in Galatia. If this is so, days could refer to the sabbaths, and other feasts celebrated only for a day; months to the monthly celebrations (for example new moons, as in Num 10.10); seasons to the annual festivals which were not limited to a single day, for example Passover, Tabernacles, et cetera. (see 2 Chr 8.13); and years to the New Year celebrations, the year of Jubilee, or perhaps the Sabbatical year. One cannot be very sure as to the contents of these terms, but, taken together, they simply refer to the total system of celebrations observed by the Jews at that time (Arichea, D. C., & Nida, E. A. (1993). A handbook on Paul’s letter to the Galatians. Originally published under title: A translator’s handbook on Paul’s letter to the Galatians. c1976. UBS handbook series; Helps for translators (97). New York: United Bible Societies.)
• There are still far too many people today who think that all they have to do for God, is to go to church at Christmas and Easter.
Year end has a danger for some Christians. In the one pagan extreme, some consult horoscopes, allowing themselves to but put into an artificial bondage of action or doom. Some engage in a lifestyle of abandon that encourages a return to pre-conversion debauchery.
Others look to what is otherwise helpful spiritual disciples and implement a schedule of these that in essence result in ritualistic observance.
Please turn to Colossians 2
During his ministry in Galatia, Paul doubtlessly gave believers the same warning he gave to the church at Colossae:
Colossians 2:16-23 [16]Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. [17]These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.[18]Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, [19]and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. [20]If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations-- [21]"Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch" [22](referring to things that all perish as they are used)--according to human precepts and teachings? [23]These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. (ESV)
Please turn to Romans 14
Does this mean that it is wrong for Christians to set aside one day a year to remember the birth of Christ or New Year?
• Not necessarily. If we observe special days like slaves, hoping to gain some spiritual merit, then we are sinning.
• But if in the observance, we express our liberty in Christ and let the Spirit enrich us with His grace, then the observance can be a spiritual blessing.
The New Testament makes it clear that Christians are not to legislate religious observances for each other:
Romans 14:4-13 [4]Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. [5]One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. [6]The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. [7]For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. [8]For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. [9]For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. [10]Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; [11]for it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God."[12]So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. [13]Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. (ESV)
• There is a difference between the optional observance of such a day and making it mandatory as a means of justification.
• Celebrating the turning of a calendar year (observing the day) is a great opportunity to honor the Lord and give thanks for what he has provided. Nevertheless, it is not a means of merit with God.
All of us must beware of that legalistic spirit that caters to the flesh, leads to pride, and makes the outward event a substitute for the inward experience (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1989). The Bible exposition commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire ’BE’ series"--Jkt. (Ga 4:8). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.)
• Here is one simple test if an observance is honoring to God. Looking objectively at your year end observance, which god would it seem that you were honoring? By your actions is it Bacchus, or Yahweh.
• The answer:1 Corinthians 10:31 [31]So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (ESV)
Illustration: In the story of John Newton, author of the beloved hymn “Amazing Grace.” Newton was an only child and lost his mother when he was seven. At the age of eleven he went to sea as a sailor and became involved in the inhuman African slave trade. Soon hardened by his evil surroundings, he outdid his companions in immorality, vulgarity, and blasphemy. But when he was twenty-three his ship was caught in a severe storm, and when he began to fear for his life he cried out to God for mercy and was marvelously saved. Not wanting ever to forget the depths of sin from which he had been rescued by God’s grace, Newton later inscribed the words of Deuteronomy 15:15 above his mantel:
Deuteronomy 15:15 [15]You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this today. (ESV)
(George, T. (2001, c1994). Vol. 30: Galatians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (314). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
Unlike John Newton, the Galatian Christians did not remember what they were once like, and Paul was inexpressibly disappointed with their immaturity and lack of discernment. He was not able to fathom how they could so quickly forget their former bondage in unbelief and so easily surrender their new freedom and blessings in Christ.
He concludes in Galatians 4:11[11]I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain. (ESV)
How sad for such a faithful servant of the Lord to fear that all the life-threatening, sacrificial service he had given in behalf of the people of Galatia was worthless. All the travel, illness, loneliness, struggles, even the stoning he received in Lystra that left him for dead, was for nothing if they reverted to their old slavery.
• Turning to legalism is equivalent to rejecting the gospel and renouncing Christ (KJV Bible commentary. 1997, c1994 (2392). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.)
There is one key to living a productive life:
Philippians 2:16 [16]holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. (ESV) (cf. 1 Thes. 3:5)
When we are centered in God’s will as revealed in His word, we can have confidence:
1 Corinthians 15:58 [58]Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (ESV)
(Format note: Some base commentary from MacArthur, J. (1996, c1987). Galatians. Includes indexes. (110). Chicago: Moody Press.)
