Galatians 4:8b
"...when ye knew not God, (they were steeped in pagan darkness Paul says) ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods." See,
they worshiped those pagan gods, made of mans imagination with hay,
wood and stubble or clay, silver, gold or any other thing. Who, by
nature when you boil everything down, they weren't gods at all. They
were nothing but a piece of wood or stone, a ritual of worship, a
holiday of some sort but now verse 9, and here is another one of our
favorite words.
Galatians 4:9
“But
now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn
ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again
to be in bondage? “
Galatians 4:9
"But (they're no longer in that paganism, they're no longer worshiping wood and stone, or some sort of man made religion or thing) now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God,
(God knows them personally now because they're His. They're His
children and Paul says if you are in such a glorified position ) how turn ye again to the weak, and beggarly elements, (the religious legalism of Judaism or any other paganism) whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?"
Now what does it mean to be beggarly? Well just exactly what the
word implies. It's to be just sort of groveling, and just begging for
mercy. And that's all those things were, they were beggarly, and weak
and had absolutely no power to lift these people out of their bondage,
and out of their religious paganism. Then why turn back to something
that is no good? Now we've been studying Titus and the Epistle of
Hebrews, and all through both, what's the comparison? The things that
were good, and they were. But we've got things that are so much better. A
thousand times better, and so here Paul is responding, "Why, when
you've had it so good, you're feet have been planted on something solid,
you're an heir with God, you have the Holy Spirit to direct you, then
why turn back to that which is beggarly?" Well what's he talking about?
The Law, and religious legalism, and legalism is beggarly. As is any
religion which exults itself about the knowledge of God, that's
idolatry. It is a dust groveling system, and if people could see that.
Religious Legalism is just putting people literally crawling in the
dust, and begging that, "Somehow I can make it." We hear of many who
have lost hope because there's no power in the churches or signs and
wonders and people have no more knowledge of God and His Truth than a
babe who is seventeen and still on the bottle. We know these people
because of the fruit of their lips and the depression of darkness that
frustrates them. When we try the share what God is doing and has done in
us they just turn and go in the opposite direction, why? They love
darkness more than Light....even though they claim to have Light there
is none in them.
But listen, this was just the opposite of what the Galatians were
doing. The Galatians were going back into that stuff, if we may call it
that. And they were giving up their freedom and joy and letting
themselves get wrapped up again in the Jewish legalism and Law-keeping,
which had a form of Godliness but denied the power thereof. Paul says
how, "can you desire again to be in bondage?" It
is hard to understand that isn't it? And yet that's the human race.
Even tonight the whole human race for the most part is just simply
groveling in religious legalism, and good works trying to keep the Ten
Commandments, and not realizing that when Christ died, He paid it all.
And all that we can hope for is for God to open the hearts of people to
the fact that Christ has paid it all. Christ was sent to redeem us from
the idolatry of religious legalism, He came to set the record straight
to reestablish God's righteousness in the spirit of the Law. Not
condoning mans irreligiousness of self works, self fulfillment and self
abasement to God's true religion. Turn to Titus chapter 1 and verse 9:
Titus 1:9-16
“Holding fast the faithful word (trustworthy Word of God) as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound (stimulating instruction and encouragement in wholesome) doctrine both to exhort and to convince (refute and convict those who contradict and oppose it) the gainsayers (those who are wayward in their err). For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers (vain, empty and misleading and self-deceivers who deceive others), specially they of the circumcision (the Hebrews): Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert (mentally distressing and subverting) whole houses, teaching things which they ought not (especially those who have come over from Judaism),
for filthy lucre's sake. One of themselves, even a prophet of their
own, said, The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. (Paul turns on his lawyer character in argument) This witness is (this account of them is really) true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply [deal sternly, even severely with them] , that they may be sound in the faith (and free from error); [And may show their soundness by]Not giving heed to Jewish fables, [or to rules laid down by mere men] and commandments of men, that turn (their backs) from the truth. Unto the pure (in heart) all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled (corrupt) and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled (polluted, rotten and worthless). They profess that they know God [to recognize, perceive, and be acquainted with Him]; but in works they deny (disown and renounce) him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” Paul is rebuking the Judiazer and Hellenist's while instructing Titus in the office of a bishop.
Acts 17:10-12a
"And
the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea:
who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more
noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with
all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those
things were so. Therefore many of them (Bereans) believed;..."
So
now let's begin in chapter 4 and let's just drop right down to verse
10. Remember these Galatians believers were turning back to the weak and
beggarly things which tells you what the Law really was from man's
point of view. The Law was perfect from God's point as it was spiritual
but man unredeemed is earthy, carnal. It was absolute, it was righteous,
but from man's point of view it was weak and beggarly because it had no
power to help people keep it. We hope that everyone understands that.
The Law had absolutely no power to help people keep its demands, but
this Gospel (I Corinthians 15:11-4) is empowered by the Person of the
Holy Spirit, and He is the One that now sets us in the right direction,
so, consequently, we do not need the Law, we're not under it because the
Holy Spirit takes up where the Law leaves off. So now then verse 10,
and Paul says that this is all a sign of their weakness by going back
under legalism. That's why so many are in depression and are disparaged,
they just want it all to end, they don't know where or to whom to turn
because their pastors don't know and have no power to change them or
things. Why? Because they're following the wrong doctrines they're doing
the wrong things and looking in all the wrong places. If not every
Sunday then at least in their rituals and customs. And as long as they
willfully do those things God's hands are tied and removed from them.
They mock God and grieve the Holy Spirit by their willful disobedience
in the practice of their holidays and other profane customs.
Galatians 4:10
"Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years." Now
what group of people did that? Well, not only the pagans but also the
Nation of Israel. The whole Israel economy was based on the new moon,
and on the Holy days, the high Sabbath, as well as the regular Sabbath,
and everything was regulated according to the moon, signs, and so forth.
This si also the thing which our religious systems do as well. Because
of a lack of knowledge and are therefore in darkness and remain ignorant
of God. And Paul says, "You're going back under that same stuff? Listen
we're not under any particular day, or feast day or celebration day."
Now reading on in verse 11.
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