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, don’t I? How can I possibly live this life without personally 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 attempting 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. Not out of fear for punishment. Rather a trembling desire to honor Him for all He has down. Yet, even that degree of love and respect is a gift given to me by the indwelling Holy Spirit. It is not something I can create on my own. I must see Him as so glorious, I humbly bow before Him. And then, I surrender my mind, heart, and soul to Him.
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 to His Will, 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. An heir of Promise. 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 acceptance of Christ as Savior may result in their being killed by their own family. Yet, God is fulfilling His promise to Hagar concerning Ismael. He promised that Ishmael would become a great nation, which he has.
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. It is truly miraculous how He works with them, many through visions and others through missionaries. But they too become free from the law only 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 losing their salvation. Paul is always very specific to make certain that everyone understands. 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. You are squelching its effects trying to do it yourself. 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. Why? 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. Those shoots cannot bear fruit and take away precious resources needed for the vine to grow fruit. 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 usually means we must be broken. Thereby, allowing the light to shine forth through the broken areas, but willingly we surrender to His will. A clay pot with a light inside covers and dampens the light unless there are areas of brokenness.
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. He is the only one who can accomplish this in me.
Below are two poems I wrote that illustrate this.
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.
For Prayer or Comments
If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here
Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here
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
The world surrounding us at present would make the bravest hearts fear. Confusion, chaos, war, rumors of war, deceptions all around. Truth is indistinguishable in the blur of information being disseminated at lightening speed around the world. So many people. Different ideologies. Each believing only they know the truth. Ah, but there is one who is truth Himself-Jesus. He is the way, the truth and the life. Furthermore, He loved me from eternity past. Willingly He Sacrificed everything that I might be redeemed. Thereby love has won the victory and He gained everything by giving everything. And I can gain everything when I give all I am to Him, then love has won the victory in my life over fear, over sin and over pain.
Romans 8:11
if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you
Ephesians 1:17
the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what the hope of his calling is, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:And hath put all things under his feet
Love Has Won the Victory
As darkness filled the noon day sky
The earth shuddered and did quake
A trembling as God's heart did break
As wrath and hate screamed crucify
Christ humbly left His throne above
Forgiveness for mankind to buy
He knew the tears His heart must cry
And yet, He came because of love
And when it seemed that all was loss
Their pardon was His final plea
His Gift of Grace for all to see
He bowed and died upon that cross
The Father’s love, it was so great
Awake, my son, arise awake
He called Him forth a new dawn break
Pure Love had conquered death and hate
Love had won the victory
Joy rang forth a wondrous sound
Hope and life that did surround
Giving faith for all with eyes to see
That Love Has won the victory
My heart so filled with darkest fear
Shattered by evil, hate and pain
Falling torrential like the rain
Anguish filling every tear
Through broken cracks God’s love shone in
He wrapped me tightly in His arms
And there so free from all life’s harms
Forgiveness, joy, and love did win
Love had won the victory
Joy rang forth a wondrous sound
Hope and life that did surround
Giving faith to all with eyes to see
So, Open wide your eyes to see
That Love Has won the victory
Don’t fall into some dark abyss
With pain and guilt that pull you down
Until you feel that you may drown
Look up to God, In Him is bliss
Love has won the victory
Joy rings forth a wondrous sound
Hope and life they do surround
Giving faith to all with eyes to see
So, Open wide your eyes to see
That Love Has won the victory
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
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. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
For Prayer or Comments
If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here
Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here
My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
Of all the emotions that we feel, perhaps those feelings of loneliness, rejection, or just somehow not being “good” enough to really be loved are among the most devastating of all. Those feelings can leave us reeling with pain that tears at our heart, spirit and soul. Add to that the factor that we live as a broken vessel amidst a broken world, life can send our heart quickly spiraling downward in an instant. One unkind word, the rejection by a friend, divorce, failure, a loss job, and the list goes on as to those things that cut deep the wounds that were already present. For me, I cannot tell you when I first recognized this frailty within myself; because, it has been there since I can first remember. Perhaps my thorn in the flesh. It in some ways has always been the driving force that never let me be fully satisfied with today’s accomplishments. Being my lifelong companion, one would think I would always have it mastered. Instead, I have come to find it as God’s refining tool for me. Whenever those feelings make their attack upon my heart, I have learned to draw even tighter into God’s arms and lean upon His chest. I spend the day reflecting, growing, listening to an audio book and just waiting for God’s answer. Over the years, I have learned that God’s steadfast joy may be dampened in those moments into a smoldering ember; but, will quickly reignite into flames as I spend the day talking to Him. Friday, was such a day of feeling as though I would drown within my own feelings of inadequacy; but, Saturday. He renewed me through prayer and listening to “Uninvited” by Lysa TerKeurst. God reminded me of how truly loved I am by Him. He reminded me how blessed I am in Him. And He gave me this poem for you; whomever you are that needs to hear these words today. God loves you. God is always Good. God wants to hold you cradled in His Arms while He sings love songs over you. Whatever your frailty, He will be your strength in it. I know He is mine.
The Cry of Rejection
By Effie Darlene Barba
The sound of their words
What they had said
Repeatedly playing sad tunes in my head
The Scars from my past
The sorrows, regret
Like sirens whose blaring I could not forget
In darkness, alone
My heart’s cry does long
To desperately feel somewhere I belong
To know I am loved
To make my appeal
Rejection the thought that seemed all too real
It wasn’t their fault
How could they have known?
The scars I hid deep and never had shown
The secrets of heart
That longed to be found
That they might be healed by love to abound
The counterfeit lies
Were just a mistake
Like shattering glass my heart then to break
Oh, where is the truth
In a Dark, broken world
Where sorrows and pain are relentlessly hurled
The sin of man’s pride
Has taken its toll
Wreaking havoc on each and every dear soul
Yet, if truth then be told
Beneath all our will
Is a void that only God’s love can refill!
His Love reached beyond
The abyss we had crossed
He never considered it too great a cost
To accept the rejection
Of man toward His Son
Who in His despair our victory was won!
Unworthy though I
He loved me the same
And called me as His by my very name
To be loved as His child
He is all that I need
In Him to be known and truly be freed
Freed from desires
Of counterfeit things
From trinkets and toys or frivolous flings
Grounded, secured
In God’s loving arms
Freed from the lure of all this world’s charms
As He draws me near
To sit for a while
Enwrapped with His joy, I truly can smile
My worries all fade
As in Him I belong
My heart can now sing a joyous love song
[bctt tweet=”Don’t let your feelings of rejection become your identity. In Christ you are Beautifully Beloved.” username=”effiedarlene”]
[tweetthis]Wrapped in Christ’s love todays pain becomes tomorrows greatest blessings[/tweetthis]
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. 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.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. Ephesians 1: 3-6 (NKJV)
If ever there was a time to call all Christians to prayer in our nation, it is now. Although, I am well aware that my last post from the series in Hebrews was a grave reminder that God hates sin. Yet, it was also a reminder that God’s Grace is what has held His hand steady from calling all of mankind into judgment now as we so deserve. He bids that we stand firm in proclaiming the truth of His Great Grace and Love!! We must lay aside our self-exalting, pride filled heart so that He may use each of us to proclaim the truth of the gospel. We must stand firm, without fear proclaiming the truth that Jesus Christ is the only way, the truth, and the life. Without Him, there is no hope for mankind. We must not be swayed by political “correctness” nor by self-righteous anger. We must proclaim the truth with humility, love and kindness. We must pray and study God’s word that we may be ready to stand no matter how stormy it gets.
Tragedies and sorrows seem to always be present surrounding us in this world. So how can I or you hold onto a steadfast joy despite the tragedies and sorrows of this life?
Skipping Stones to Your Glory
by Effie Darlene Barba
Storms surround my life today
Sorrows urging me to pray
With gentle voice, I hear You say
Trust in me I’ll guide your way
A pilgrim in this foreign land
Where is the hope in which I stand?
You paid the price- that just demand
And hold me firm within Your hand
Chorus:
So, Precious Lord let my eyes see
That you have won my victory
Whatever sorrows facing me
Are skipping stones to Your Glory
Fix my eyes on Christ my Savior King
And then, oh then my heart will sing
Of Your wondrous Joy in everything
No matter what this life may bring
The sorrows of life, their ebb and tide
That force me on my knees abide
And rips away my selfish pride
That in thy Grace my tears subside
The trials that would tear apart
This fragile, broken, lonely heart
Except thy love can ne’er depart
Each day, Your Grace-my fresh new start
Chorus:
So, Precious Lord let my eyes see
That you have won my victory
Whatever sorrows facing me
Are skipping stones to Your Glory
Fix my eyes on Christ my Savior King
And then, oh then my heart will sing
Of Your wondrous Joy in everything
No matter what this life may bring
Jesus Christ has already won the victory. All I need do is to focus upon Him. How can I hope for Joy if I do not focus upon the very source of Joy? All these trials, pains and sorrows are merely stones on which I may skip closer to Him. If I embrace the truth that Jesus Christ holds all things by the power of His word; then, I can have the assurance that “all of this works together for my good.” Everything is but a skipping stone on my journey toward seeing Glory, Beauty and Majesty beyond any thing this heart could imagine. If I know that God is and that He rewards all who seek Him, then I can trust Him in the midst of every trial that comes my way; knowing that His plan is to bring me into His bosom of everlasting Joy. There are no “bad days” for those who know Christ as their Savior. All of those days we might have once thought bad are merely stones upon which we may skip our way closer to Him. The more I see Him, the more I realize that He is my Joy, my greatest Treasure, and my Everlasting love. So what Satan meant for evil in an attempt to steal my Joy; God has used for good every single time. [tweetthis] Every trial, pain, and tear have brought me one step closer to Glory. [/tweetthis] I hope this poem warms your heart today reminding you of Him. My prayer each morning is that God reveal to You His Joy, His love and His Glory that you might seek Him. May He establish your faith in Jesus Christ and comfort you through whatever trials you face today.
Photo used by permission of Arto Marttinen via Unsplash.com The inscription I added.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. 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.
