Loose and Free-Posted 04/04/2007

Paul wrote in Galatians 4:31 and 5:1, " So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free. Stand fast
therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."

Who is this "bondwoman" that Paul was talking about?

To answer this you must look at Genesis 16:1.

" Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar."
(emphasis mine)

The bondwoman, the handmaid of Abram's (or, Abraham's) wife, Sarai (or, Sarah), was an Egyptian named Hagar.
Hagar was a slave. She belonged to Abram and Sarai.

Sarai was barren, and felt "less of a woman" because she was unable to bare a child for her husband, Abram. So, Sarai took
matters into her own hands, and sent Abram unto Hagar that a child might be conceived, and give him the long sought for
son.

The problem was this...

God does not work in the realm of bondage.

Yes, a son was conceived. Yes, Abram got the boy he always wanted. Yes, Sarai's plan worked.

But, God was displeased with this.               WHY???

The child, Ishmael, was the son of the bondwoman. He was a representation of what happens when man thinks for himself
concerning spiritual issues. Ishmael symbolized the ill actions of humanity, against the backdrop of an Holy God's plan.

Ishmael was the equivalent of a Christian of today, accepting the promises of God, and then recanting his faith in those
promises, and leaning once again on the arm of the flesh.

My friend, if someone took a rope and tied you up, with your hands and feet lashed together, and you managed to wriggle
your way out of those knots, do you not think it would be very foolish to go back later and tie yourself back up?!?!

God had come to Abram, and promised him a son... God! Now remember, God cannot lie.

But, when things seemed like they were not working out the way Abram and Sarai wanted them to, they decided to "make
things happen" , and sidestep the plan of God for their own plan.

The promised son was ordained of God. But, this other son, Ishmael... he was born from disobedience.

The child of the bondwoman...

Recall again what Paul said in the text.

"...we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free."

My friend, there is no reason to return to sin once Christ has set you free from it. As a matter of fact, God likens it to a dog
returning to it's vomit.

Paul wrote earlier in 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?"

In other words, " What are you doing going back to the sinful ways, and why do you want to???"

This was why Paul wrote in the very next chapter to, " Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us
free..."

Once you have tasted of the goodness of God's provision, which is the Son, why would you return to the former lifestyle and
bonds of sin? You are promised "liberty" in Christ Jesus. But there are only bonds and imprisonment for the one who walks
away from the grace of God.

Scripture reveals that he who begins to live a life as a Christian, and then leaves the faith, is not suitable for God's heaven.

Luke 9:62 reads, "And Jesus said unto him, " No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the
kingdom of God."

So why then are so many leaving their faith? Why are so many backsliding? Why are many cold and indifferent?

Why? Why? Why?

That is what God wants to know... WHY???

Is your sin really that fun?

Does the hangover the next morning make the drunken stupor of the night before worth it?

Does the empty, used feeling the next day make the immoral sexual behavior from the previous evening make sense?

Is all the swearing and cursing, and the nasty, filthy jokes really necessary?

What about the lies? What about the cheating? The envy and jealousy?

What point is there in the frivolous gambling and foolish chances you take?

Why are you running from the liberty of Christ Jesus?

Does it even make sense to " become entangled again with the yoke of bondage"?

The answer is obviously...no.

Then why are you?

Christ desires that you be free from the bonds of sin. He also desires that you remain free from those same clutches of
iniquity once you begin to walk with Him.

A songwriter wrote these words;

             I have decided, to follow Jesus.
             I have decided, to follow Jesus.
             I have decided, to follow Jesus.
             No turning back, no turning back.

A simple, yet profound statement.

God loves you my friend. So do I.

You must decide. The bondwoman or the free?

Loose and free or bound and captive?

The choice is yours.

II Corinthians 6:2 says,"...behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation.)”  (emphasis mine)