In Galatians chapter 4, we are invited to see our identity in Christ as that of children of promise rather than as slaves to the law. Paul uses a powerful allegory that contrasts two covenants—one represented by Hagar and one by Sarah—to show us that our inheritance from God comes through faith and grace, not through human effort or the keeping of the law.
Paul begins by reminding us that, before we came to know God through Christ, we were like children under guardians and managers. These guardians symbolize the old covenant, which, although it provided structure and guidance, also held us in bondage. In our own lives, we might recall times when we felt confined by rules and obligations, when the legalistic expectations of the world or even our religious traditions seemed to limit our freedom. Paul makes it clear that such a state is not our destiny. Instead, God’s promise through Christ transforms our status from that of a slave to that of a son.
The apostle then introduces the allegory of Hagar and Sarah. Hagar represents the old covenant given at Mount Sinai—a covenant that brought forth the children of slavery, marked by limitations, fear, and a lack of true freedom. In contrast, Sarah represents the new covenant, the promise of freedom and sonship that comes through God’s grace. For us, this comparison is deeply personal. It speaks to the internal shift we experience when we come to trust in Christ: we are no longer defined by our past mistakes, our burdens, or the rigid demands of the law. Instead, we are adopted into the family of God, where we can call Him “Abba, Father,” experiencing an intimacy that frees us from any feeling of unworthiness or restraint.
Paul’s explanation goes beyond mere symbolism. He reminds us that the children of the slave woman, Hagar, are born into bondage, while those born of the free woman, Sarah, are free. In our everyday experience, this means that when we accept the gospel, we receive not just forgiveness but also a new identity—one that grants us the full rights and privileges of being God’s children. Our inheritance is not something we can earn by following rules; it is a gift, freely given through the promise made to our spiritual forefather Abraham. This promise was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, and through Him, we have access to a freedom that the law could never provide.
As we reflect on our own journey, we are reminded of the dramatic transformation that occurs when we leave behind the old ways of living and step into the new life offered by Christ. Paul’s words are both an encouragement and a warning to us: they challenge us to remain vigilant so that we do not revert to a state of bondage. At one time, some of the Galatians were tempted to turn back to the old covenant, returning to the strictures and limitations of the law. Paul’s appeal is for us to hold fast to the freedom we have in Christ, to embrace our status as sons and daughters of the Most High, and to live in a way that reflects the hope and joy of our new identity.
In this chapter, Paul also makes it clear that our transformation is not simply a legal change but a spiritual renewal. The old order, symbolized by Hagar and the works of the law, has passed away, and a new order has come through faith. This new order is not bound by the same restrictions or based on our own merits; it is founded on God’s unmerited favor. When we experience this, we are free to live lives marked by love, grace, and mutual respect. We no longer carry the heavy burden of trying to earn our salvation or prove our worth; instead, we rest in the assurance that our identity is secure because of what Christ has accomplished on our behalf.
Paul’s heartfelt message in Galatians chapter 4 speaks to the core of our spiritual identity. He reminds us that the freedom we enjoy is not a license to do whatever we please, but a call to live as children of the promise. Our lives are to be marked by a profound sense of belonging—a belonging that comes from being adopted into God’s family, not through our own works, but through faith in Jesus. This perspective should inspire us every day to live with gratitude and humility, knowing that our inheritance is eternal and that our relationship with God is personal and transformative.
Ultimately, Galatians chapter 4 is a call for us to reject the bondage of legalism and to embrace the freedom and full sonship we have in Christ. It challenges us to see ourselves not as slaves to rules or to our past, but as heirs of a divine promise—a promise that transforms our hearts and renews our lives. As we walk in this new identity, let us remember that we have been set free by the love and grace of God. We are called to live as His children, to experience the joy and intimacy of a relationship with Him, and to share that freedom with others, so that all may come to know the liberating power of the gospel.