Why carry that weight?

Who would want to walk around with extra weight strapped to their back? Yes, perhaps someone who is trying to strengthen themselves but truly most people would not want to be bother to do it all the time. But if carrying the weight did not bring any benefits no one would be interest in lugging that weight.

Gal 4:21-31 21 Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not A listen to the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, A one by the bondwoman and B one by the free woman. 23 But A the son by the bondwoman 1 was born according to the flesh, and B the son by the free woman through the promise. 24 1 A This is allegorically speaking, for these women are two covenants: one proceeding from B Mount Sinai bearing children 2 who are to be C slaves; 3 she is Hagar. 25 Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But A the Jerusalem above is free; 1 she is our mother. 27 For it is written, "A REJOICE, BARREN WOMAN WHO DOES NOT BEAR; BREAK FORTH AND SHOUT, YOU WHO ARE NOT IN LABOR; FOR MORE NUMEROUS ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE DESOLATE THAN OF THE ONE WHO HAS A HUSBAND." 28 And you brethren, A like Isaac, are B children of promise. 29 But as at that time A he who was born according to the flesh B persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, C so it is now also. 30 But what does the Scripture say? "A CAST OUT THE BONDWOMAN AND HER SON, FOR B THE SON OF THE BONDWOMAN SHALL NOT BE AN HEIR WITH THE SON OF THE FREE WOMAN." 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, 1 but of the free woman. NASU

Paul is telling the Galatians that the law really explains that the promises of God are passed on through the free woman and not the bond woman. Why would carry the weight of trying fulfill the law (when it does not bring salvation) when it does not produce any benefits.

Explore for yourself
1. According to the law who was the free son of Abraham? Why?
2. What is the connection between Hagar, Mount Sinai and Jerusalem?
3. What is the Jerusalem above?
4. How are we like Isaac? What difference is there between those of the flesh and those of the spirit?
5.What will happen to those who are "born of the bondwoman"?

Let you love for Christ drive you to be obedience!