Tonight, we will be reading through Galatians 4:1-11. The reading this week may be the most succinct statement of the the good news: 1) We were enslaved to sin, to death, to the Law, and to the dark powers of the universe, 2) the Son has redeemed and ransomed us from these external taskmasters and our internal fallen human condition, so that 3) we too become the very sons of God. We are no longer slaves or even under a guardian/custodian/tutor, rather we are co-heirs with Christ ready to be freely given our inheritance – which is never earned but simply bestowed. God doesn’t simply forgive us of our sins, but like the Prodigal (Luke 15:11-32) the Father makes and restores us to our divine status. This is the Good News. As Martin Luther points out in his commentary on verse 6, “Nothing is required (to obtain salvation) but that childlike groaning that seizes on a sure hope and trust that says ‘You promised and called me your child for Christ’s sake; I receive your promise again and call you Father.’” p.210. Like a child, we can do nothing for ourselves, neither obedience to the Law nor the performance of any holy obligation, except to cry out to God.
SCHEDULE: Next Tuesday , August 7, is my birthday. We are having a steak cookout with no lesson. If you can be here next Tuesday, please RSVP.
Dinner is at 6. The menu is Cuban. Discussion about 6:45. Hope to see you here. Please bring a friend.
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, but which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, that through these you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of passion, and become partakers of the divine nature.
2 Peter 1:3-4