Before Faith Came

Before Faith Came

“Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father.” Gal. 4:1-2.

A slave has no interest in the property; he only thinks about his reward and how he can get away with doing the least amount of work. The heir does not understand his responsibility as long as he is a child. He has fellowship with the slave in avoiding all work as much as possible.

This is also precisely the case in the spiritual realm. Most people who pray to God do not seek God to know His will, but to receive help in their need, seeking to get to heaven as cheaply as possible. When such people hear about God’s commandments and about working out their salvation, they immediately become enemies. They want to have as little to do with it as possible, but they want to be saved when they are about to die.

Such people are not born again and do not have a share in the inheritance; therefore there is no joy in the Christian life they attempt to live. They are slaves. Among them there are also some heirs, some who have a heavenly calling, but they are children. Heb. 3:1. They have not yet awakened to their calling, which is why there is no difference between them and a slave. It is of the utmost importance to awaken such people to their inheritance—that God’s will is their sanctification and that they should not endeavor to avoid doing God’s will as much as possible but rather learn to know it and to do it as much as possible.

The church is the body of Christ. Many people come to the meetings to enjoy themselves, to have a pleasant time. If nothing special happens at the meeting they go home disappointed, critical, and judgmental. They themselves do not have any responsibility; they have no right of inheritance in the church, but they come as guests. Such people think only of themselves. They do not grieve over other people’s need; they have no care for their progress, but then they cannot rejoice either when someone is blessed or honored. They do not possess the joy of ownership, and they have no task in life. It is truly a poor life.

“But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed.” Gal. 3:23.

When Jesus’ commandment—for which Paul had such care and which was to be kept without spot and blameless (1 Tim. 6:14)—is preached, it has a two-fold effect. The slave feels that he is being bound, whereas the son feels he is being liberated.

The one who is in the flesh is kept under guard by the law. He feels chastised by the law. Everything he does becomes sin, for the person who is in the flesh cannot please God. This is how children act in the natural and in the spiritual realm.

When a boy wants to go out on the ice but his father knows that it is not safe and tells him not to go, he feels he is being kept under guard and under a tutor. “But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.” Gal. 3:24. If someone breaks through the ice and drowns, the boy comes to faith in his father’s commandment, and he no longer feels he is under a tutor or under guard, but he feels liberated by the law that was given him.

The person who is in the flesh desires the things of the flesh. To him God’s will is bondage and the commandment is an obstacle. When he hears, “Give, and it shall be given to you,” he regards it as a heavy burden he has to bear. He sees only the first word “Give!” and thinks of his bankbook and possessions that he cannot enjoy in peace. But after faith has come, his eyes are also opened to the other words: “And it shall be given to you.” Then he is no longer under a tutor and no longer feels bound.

“The just shall live by faith.” We live a life of faith. The person who is in the flesh would have rewritten the commandment like this: Let me receive, and then I will give. This is how people seek their own to be happy, just as if the farmer should be able to harvest before he has sown. On the contrary: Bless, and you will be blessed!

“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit . . . .” This is what God wants to teach us through His commandments—that which is for our profit! He says further: “Oh, that you had heeded My commandments!” Isa. 48:17-19. Read further how He will continue to bless you. We can say that all He wants to do is bless you, but He cannot bless amidst sin and deception, and He calls out to people: “Oh, that you had heeded My commandments so I could bless you!”

The entire religious world strives to partake of the promises, but they hate the commandments—the conditions. Consequently, their lives are a desert. However, we who have received faith rejoice in Jesus’ commandments and the liberty they bring us and the blessings to which they lead. Jesus’ commandments drive out the son of the bondwoman. Gal. 4:30. It is the children of promise who have partaken of faith.