Children of Freedom

Written By Betty Predmore

GALATIANS 3:23 - 4:31

(September 18)

I love that Paul uses Sarah and Hagar as an example in his explanation to the Galatians of the law vs. freedom through Christ.

If you remember, God had told Abraham and Sarah that they would conceive a child, even though they were older. Sarah laughed at the craziness of this, thinking she was far too advanced in years to conceive a child.

She wanted God's promise to come true for her husband, so she took it upon herself to make it happen. She set him up to sleep with Hagar, who did conceive a son. In Sarah's eyes, the promise was fulfilled.

But God meant what he said. Sarah became pregnant with a son herself. And when Isaac was born, there was some jealousy between the two boys. The older brother picked at him, and this made Sarah upset, so she sent him and his mother to the desert in exile.

Hagar is a representation of the law that was received at Mount Sanai. She was a slave just as the law enslaved the people. But Sarah is a representation of the freedom found in Christ.

Paul also points out the example of a father and his children. If the father dies a wealthy man, the children are left with a guardian and cannot attain that wealth until they become adults. In other words, they are enslaved in the situation until they are of age to have freedom to inherit the wealth.

Mankind was enslaved by the law. It was Christ who came and set us free. Because of his birth, death and resurrection, we do not live by the laws of old, but by the freedom we find in our relationship with Jesus.

Apparently, the Galatians, who once acted as if they were free in Christ, are now listening to the false teachers and condemning Paul for speaking of this freedom. These false teachers are doing their best to shut the Galatians off from Paul so they will listen only to their teachings.

Why should they want to live under the law when they could live in the freedom of Christ?

The same applies to us today. Why should we choose any other type of life, when we can live as Children of Freedom? Jesus offers us true freedom, the kind that is found only in our relationship with him. This freedom navigates our earthly life and draws us into our eternal life with hope and joy.

My friends, it doesn't get much better than that!

Betty Predmore

Betty Predmore is a writer, blogger, speaker and ministry leaders. She is the founder of Mom-Sense, Inc., a ministry designed for mentorship, connection and service to women of all life circumstances. Through this ministry, women are encouraged and supported with scripture and life application. Mom-Sense helps women overcome life struggles through small group classes with biblical curriculum, individual counseling, bible studies, and other areas of support.

Betty also directs the Imperial Valley Life Center, which is a non-profit faith-based pro life women’s resource center. She has a passion for saving the unborn and supporting mothers through pregnancy and motherhood.

Betty loves to speak at events, sharing the love of Jesus with other women. She does this through practical life application mingled with God’s word, and sprinkled with humor. Having experienced a broken home, divorce, abuse, grief, single motherhood, blended families, and adoption, she uses the broken places and movement of God in her own life to share His word in an inspiring way. She enjoys sharing her blogs on social media as a way of reaching out on a broader spectrum. Betty has many speaking topics which can be found on her website: www.bettypredmore.com

As an author, she has had the opportunity to impact women and reach deep into their hearts with her words of inspiration and encouragement. Through Pondering Virtue and Whispered Grace, she has created wonderful tools for the woman who is seeking direction in her spiritual walk.

Betty serves on the writing team of A Wife Like Me, and is also a contributor to Moms Encouraging Moms and Gift of Thorns. Her blogs have appeared in several magazine publications throughout the years including Southern Faith Magazine, Purposeful Life, and Aspiring Woman Magazine.

While Betty thrives on her ministry opportunities, her greatest blessings come from being a wife to Jim and a mama to their wonderful collection of children, who bring joy, laughter, and an occasional tear to her days.


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