Galatians – Week 9 – Day 1

READ 

Galatians 4:28-29 

28 And you, dear brothers and sisters, are children of the promise, just like Isaac. 29 But you are now being persecuted by those who want you to keep the law, just as Ishmael, the child born by human effort, persecuted Isaac, the child born by the power of the Spirit. 

Paul stressed that the believers in Galatia were children of promise as Isaac was. They were saved by grace through faith. Those who thought one could become right with God by keeping the law persecuted those who believed one is saved by faith in Jesus. This was an age-old conflict as seen in the lives of the descendants of Isaac and Ishmael. 

REFLECT 

Are you also being treated contemptuously by those who think you should be living by a list of rules? 

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend about witnessing to others about this problem. Let others know you understand the thinking that one must earn everything he has. But point out this is not the same with salvation. It is offered to everyone freely because of Jesus’ death on the cross. Trusting in Him by faith will make one right with God. Point out Romans 6:23 that contrasts the wages of sin with the free gift of salvation.