"WHEN THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE" -- Monday:
The Galatians were stumbling backward, thinking they were forging forward! The Spirit has spoken forthrightly to them, affirming that their theology was about to detach them from the grace of God. "You HAVE BEEN severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace" (NASB, 5:4). They were taking a position that repudiated the death of Christ Jesus. Thinking themselves to be advancing, they were actually returning to a state of spiritual infancy. The Lord does not hold out hope of recovery from this condition when it is preferred to that of spiritual maturity. This is an arresting thought!
The "heir," in this case, is the person in Christ. Such are is "Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (3:29). Such are "heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ" (Rom 8:17). Let it be clear, they have NOT become "heirs" because of the Law (Rom 4:14)! Being "justified by His grace," they became "heirs according to the hope of eternal life" (Tit 3:7). Even angelic hosts are aware of the privileges of these heirs (Heb 1:14). They are promised they will "inherit all things" if they overcome the wiles of the evil one (Rev 21:7). A slave has no such promise! Hagar and Ishmael have no part in the promise with Isaac, and those enslaved to Law have no part with those who are justified by the grace of God (Tit 3:7) through faith (Rom 3:28)!
There is a time when no apparent difference exists between those enslaved to Law and those liberated by grace. Although it is not intended to be a time of long duration, it is the portion of all who come into Christ. So far as the ability to navigate through the world is concerned, there is no difference. The lack of awareness of the nature and ferocity of the battle characterizes both the novice and the legalist.
Notice, the "child of promise" is actually "heir of all," yet does not appear so while in a state of childhood, or spiritual infancy. Thus Isaac and Ishmael did not differ while young, nor did Jacob and Esau. On a more global scale, the wheat and the tares were indistinguishable while they were in a state of initial growth. It was at the time of fruit bearing that the tares became evident (Matt 13:26) – when the wheat matured.
This condition of remaining under tutors and governors, and not being noticeably different from the person in bondage, lasts "until the time appointed of the father." In the case of the redeemed, that is until Christ dwells in our hearts by faith (Eph 3:16), or the Day Stars rises in our hearts (2 Pet 1:19). From another view, it is when Christ is "formed" in us, or we "grow up into Him in all things" (Gal 4:19; Eph 4:15).
If you want to have the church infiltrated with unregenerates and legalists, ensure that everyone remains spiritually immature. Do not feed the sheep, but concentrate on getting new people into the organization. Sing frothy songs and choruses, and preach shallow sermons. Let teaching remain on an infantile and "how to" level. In such a state, a sharp distinction between the godly and the ungodly will not be evident!
That is the liability of remaining in, or going back to, spiritual simplicity! At some point, the people of God must leave spiritual infancy behind them, else they will not be able to handle their inheritance. There is vast area of liberty and blessing that is scarcely known in the professing church.
PRAYER POINT; Father, in the name of Christ, I ask for grace to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus, and leave all forms of spiritual infancy behind me.