Let’s follow Paul’s logic a while.
He is (successfully) trying to illustrate how we Christians enjoy real “liberty” (not “license” to sin, but “freedom” to live a godly life, via the sweet Holy Spirit’s Guidance, Power) in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Paragraph in focus is Galatians 4:22-26. The whole “thought” continues through verse 31, but we’ve not reached that point yet in our studies.
“22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. 24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. 25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. 26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.”
Today verse 26 is in our purview, our “range of thought.” Literally, our “sight” or “scope.” Precisely, in the King James Version: “But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.”
Ishmael, born of slavery.
Isaac, born of freedom.
Ishmael and Hagar are symbols of some “legalistic” means of salvation! Like the “bondage” placed on the Jews at Sinai, the Mosaic Law! Or the current religious state in Jerusalem (in Paul’s day), even though Jesus had been born, crucified, buried, and raised from the grave! Jerusalem, its people, the vast majority of them … still wanted to earn their salvation via the Law! Still wanted to emphasize (overemphasize) Moses, to the (near) exclusion of Jesus!
Wow!
But Isaac (and Sarah his mother), are symbols of those who have been born again by faith in Jesus … here pictured as another Jerusalem! The one which is “above!” A heavenly City!
One that is “free!”
Free in Jesus!
Free to live a life that pleases God!
I suspect a man claiming his liberty in Jesus, and full of the Holy Spirit … will live a far more godly life than anyone ever did under the “requirements” of the 613 laws in that vast Mosaic Code!
Then Paul “spiritualizes” a bit, he really does! “Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.”
He makes this “Heavenly City” the “mother” of us all!
By faith, not by works!
We have been born (again) into freedom!
Saved people are not slaves to a list of “dos” and “don’ts!”
We are under the “Law of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 8:2), Who has led us to Jesus Christ the great Liberator!
The Emancipator!
The Preacher of Grace, of Belief, of Salvation as a Gift of God!
Hallelujah!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
Now, it will take tomorrow’s verse (Thursday’s too) to complete our thought. Paul is laying a careful groundwork for the Grace of God to be enjoyed, as Jesus meant it to be.
Not legalism!
Not libertinism!
But Biblical literalism!
Meaning: salvation by believing, by trusting in Jesus and His Shed Blood … then living a godly life as motivated by the Spirit of Jesus, living deep within our hearts!
Again, who needs the Law of Moses?
When he or she already has “the Law of the (Holy) Spirit of Life” abiding within his chest!
Yes, if a choice must be made, Jesus is better than Moses!