In light of what we have seen and learned from Galatians 4:21–31, one application is to consider the way that we grow in the Christian life. The promise of Christian growth was likely one of the ways in which the Judaizers won a hearing for their teaching. We can just imagine them saying the following to the church in Galatia: “It is good; begin with faith in Christ, but if you want to make progress, if you want to fix your marriage and develop self-control, well then you would do well to start following old covenant law. It will do you good; it will give you assurance of God’s favour. “

By giving us something to do, law will always be attractive. Whether it is the precepts of Moses or the demands of our culture, rules and regulations can give us a platform on which we can stand and judge others. If I show my commitment to Moses, if I have greater piety than others, why then I have something to boast about and my salvation must be more sure. We all know this kind of thinking. It has been a common temptation throughout church history, old covenant and new; our hearts are constantly looking to make place for the law, to add our works to salvation. It is a theme; it is an idea that has been challenged again and again in Galatians 1:1 – 6:18.

Throughout our life we will be in this battle between law and grace. Trusting God’s promises does not come naturally to any one of us. Let us be careful then of thinking that the law can make us godly. Let us be careful of the idea that growth in godliness is a matter of my actions and deeds, rather than the gracious work of the Spirit within me.

As an example, consider the matter of prayer. Prayer is the most important part of the thankfulness God requires from us.¹. It is a good work, a hidden work, the response of a Christian. But it is not an action that necessarily makes us more godly. We are not more godly as Christians when we spend five hours in prayer compared to those who pray for shorter periods or at set times. Pray without ceasing, says Paul (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18). Let it be the habit and practice of believers to speak to the Lord in prayer. Do so often and without giving up. But do not make the mistake of thinking that it is your prayers that give you the strength you need to fight against sin and pursue righteousness. We do not need bruised knees to make progress in the Christian life; we need God’s Spirit. He must be at work in us, and we ask for his help when we pray.

Likewise, when it comes to the public means of grace, the preaching of God’s Word and the use of sacraments, we are diligent in attending to them because we know that it is there that the Spirit has promised to be at work in us. Where God’s Word is faithfully explained, where the gospel is made visible—we come into God’s presence and we are changed by him. Our actions and deeds flow from his work in us, they are not the cause of godliness and they do not make us godly. Law does not have such power.

Admittedly, the work of sanctification is often slow, and there are many setbacks. Like Abraham and Sarah, we are eager to find quick fix solutions that will allow us to break sinful habits in a moment, a silver bullet to sort out our lives, power encounters on a mountain, a breakthrough, secret knowledge, a new method for Bible study and disciplining our children. Certainly, Scripture is full of wisdom and instruction that will help us to live well in this world. It will always be for our good when we align our lives with truth God has revealed, but when it comes to progress and growth in the Christian life, we must not be duped into substituting law for grace, duped into thinking that our performance will correspond with present blessing.

No, when it comes to the Christian life, as with Abraham and Sarah, patience is the key, specifically, that is, a focus on the means of grace, making sure I am there where God’s Word is proclaimed so that his Spirit can be at work in me. Simple and ordinary, the gospel remains the power of God for the salvation of his people. We never graduate from the school of Christ or the need for God’s grace.