As we have learned thus far. Salvation and sanctification are by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We have died to the slavery of the Law. Yet, the struggle one may face is as follows. How can I remain actually free from the law while being Holy in my life? Don’t I need the rules and regulations of the law to judge how I am doing? After all, I need guidelines to show me the way, right? How can I possibly live this life without forcing myself to do everything to please God. Isn’t that my duty as His child? Well, I do need some self-discipline. But rather than my attempt to restrain my own heart and mind, the Bible teaches another way.
What the Bible teaches is that my self-discipline is a natural restraint that comes out of love and respect. Even that degree of love and respect is a gift given to me by the indwelling Holy Spirit.
When I truly realize all that He has done for me. Recognizing, the God who created everything and keeps it all working harmoniously, loves me. I am less than a grain of sand in this universe. Still, He reached out to me to offer me eternal life in Him. He paid for my adoption into His family. Then, knowing how much He loves me, why would I not believe His plans are best. It is laying aside my own insignificant desires because I so respect and trust Him to do what is best. So, it is a matter of faith and love really that guides us into living a life honoring Him. So, I dedicate my life that He might be glorified in all I do.
Actually Free from the Law based on God’s Covenant to Abraham
Every part of the Abrahamic covenant was based on faith. It was not due to Abraham keeping the works of the law. Indeed, as we learned last week, the Law did not come until 430 years after Abraham. It was after the people chased idols, grumbled, complained, and failed to be even thankful for all God had done. They were a rebellious, prideful, and stubborn people. Yet, God always keeps His covenants, even if humanity fails to keep their part. As part of God’s covenant promise to Abraham, an heir would be born. Which brings us to the verses in Galatians 4: 21-31 NKJV
Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children— but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written:
“Rejoice, O barren, You who do not bear! Break forth and shout, You who are not in labor! For the desolate has many more children Than she who has a husband.”
Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless, what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free. Galatians 4: 21-31 NKJV
Actually Free From the Law, but under slavery to sin.
Now, some would scream unfair, but the descendants of Ishmael also have the chance to accept Christ as Savior. In fact, there is a huge revival in the Middle East, with many Muslims coming to accept Jesus Christ. That even though their accepting Christ may result in their being killed by their own family. This fulfilling the promise of God to Hagar.
According to the Bible Dictionary at Bible Hub, this is recorded:
Hagar, an Egyptian maidservant to Sarah, Abraham’s wife, becomes a pivotal figure in the narrative of God’s provision and faithfulness. The account of Hagar and her son Ishmael is primarily found in Genesis 16 and 21. Hagar’s journey from servitude to becoming the mother of a nation is marked by divine intervention and God’s unwavering care. …
The account of Hagar and Ishmael highlights several key themes in the biblical narrative: God’s compassion for the marginalized, His faithfulness to His promises, and His provision for all His creation. Despite the complexities of human relationships and the challenges faced by Hagar and Ishmael, God’s intervention demonstrates His sovereignty and care for all people, regardless of their status or circumstances.1https://biblehub.com/topical/g/god’s_provision_for_hagar_and_ishmael.htm, accessed 3/13/2026
God always performs with justice and righteousness, fulfilling His every promise.
What is the lesson for Us who are by the new covenant free from the law?
God did provide for Hagar and Ishmael, forming His promise to her after the fact. That was His mercy and He is bringing many of the seed of Ishmael to Himself through Jesus Christ. Miraculous how He works with them, many through visions and others through missionaries. But they too become free from the law, through grace by faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Actually Free From the Law While Being Holy
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. Galatians 5:1-6 NKJV
When Paul states here that those who try to follow the law “fall from grace”, he is not referring to their salvation. Paul is always very specific to make certain that everyone understands that those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior are “sealed unto the day of redemption”. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. But what he is saying is you are not allowing the grace within you to be fully at work. Again, I do believe Theodore Epp explains this better than I can.
The same faith that leads to our salvation is what leads to our transformation into those who look like Jesus. We rest in His promises. It is love for Him that transforms us. And how do we cultivate that love? We spend time alone with Him and allow the Holy Spirit to create fruit in us. Jesus said,
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. John 15: 1-4 NKJV
He is the one who bears fruit through us. We who know Him as Lord and Savior require pruning to allow the sap of the vine to flow freely through us. This is particularly true when we, like a vine, send forth wild shoots in every direction. But if we truly are His. We will be pruned until we look for nothing more than His strength to fill us to overflowing. He went on to say:
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. John 15:5-6 NKJV
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15: 7-11 NKJV
How Does the Holy Spirit Transform Us ?
Particularly how can he change us while allowing we remain actually free from the law?
He teaches us the truth.
I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. John 14:16-18
The Holy Spirit Convicts the World of Sin
“But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. John 16: 5-11
It is His Job to convict others, not ours. We shine the light into the darkness by allowing His light to shine through us. That may mean we must be broken. Thereby, allowing the light to shine forth through the broken areas, but willingly we surrender to His will.
He teaches us of the Truth of Jesus Christ and the Father
“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. John 16: 12-15 NKJV
The Holy Spirit Intercedes for Us in Prayer
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-28 NKJV
He Seals Us Eternally
In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13-14 NKJV
The Holy Spirit Transforms us Into the Image of Jesus Christ
when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. II Corinthians 3:16-18 NKJV
So, it is not the law that transforms us, it is the Holy Spirit within us. We lean into Him, only then can we Be Actually Holy while Remaining Free from the Law.
WHEN I CAME TO THE END OF ME
Many times, I strayed so far from you
And wondered what I was to do
I tried so hard, my might, to do your will
I could not see I should stand still
What could I do? Bring you a gift?
The harder I tried, the farther I’d drift
I reached that point, reality
I’d broke your heart! You still loved me!
CHORUS:
When I didn’t have the strength
You still stood strong
When my heart filled with tears
You were my joy song
You are the love,
You are the peace,
You are the life that flows in me
When I didn’t have a hope
At the end of my life’s rope
When I couldn’t find my way
You came to save this wandering stray
And now I know a different me
It is your love that set me free
That in this world I now might see
All that you are, your majesty
When I came to the end of me
My love for You, Your love for me
CHORUS:
When I didn’t have the strength
You still stood strong
When my heart was filled with tears
You were my joy song
You are the love,
You are the peace,
You are the life that flows in me
When I didn’t have a hope
At the end of my life’s rope
And I couldn’t find my way
You came to save this wandering stray
When Loss is Gain *
As I look back upon my life
The times of joy and times of strife
How could I cry for any loss?
Once I have gazed upon Thy Cross
How could I ever dare complain?
About life’s sorrows, tears and pains
When You so freely took my shame
Upon Yourself removed my blame
Because from sin You set me free
I now thy willing servant be
So, pierce my heart-declare me thine
And purge all selfish thought of mine
If all I have, You choose to take
That Glory bring for your namesake
Allow me gaze upon Thy Face
Thy eyes of love, thy smile of Grace
I do not know what life may bring
Prepare my heart to always sing
A Song of joy, abounding praise
Amidst the billows storms may raise
For you my precious, Lord and King
Will lift me high on eagle’s wing
To soar above this world below
And cast aside the grief and woe
-Effie Darlene Barba
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. I urge you to seek Him today.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. That is except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Please note: This Post only has quotes from the KJV Bible except where otherwise indicated
