February 21

Today's reading: Galatians 4:1-31

The entire chapter is great, but I'm going to focus on Paul's discussion of Hagar and Sarah in verses 21-31. Once again Paul points out that the promise God made to Abraham wasn't carried down through all of his sons, but only through Isaac. Paul uses the example of Hagar, Abraham's slave and Sarah, his wife, to demonstrate that our righteousness does not come from the law, but rather through faith in Jesus alone. Faith in Jesus brings true freedom, but adherence to the Law brings slavery.

That does not mean, however, that our freedom in Christ, is to be used as an excuse to live an ungodly life or to engage in what the Bible defines as sin. Unfortunately, I've known people over the years who have told me that they know what they are about to do is sin, but that God will forgive them. But as Paul reminds us in Romans 6:1-2:

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

Are you using your freedom in Christ as an excuse to sin? If so, confess that to God right now and repent.