There is a world of difference between a slave and a son. Through our faith in Christ, we become sons of God and heirs of the promise of blessing that God made to Abraham. We should not attempt to go back under the slavery of the law or a system of performance. Grace and law do not mix. Those who have been saved through faith in God’s grace should not try to mix in the law or works. They must make a clean break and rely on the grace of God.

This section of chapters 3-4 enters a theological discussion of the Spirit’s work in us, faith, and the law. Faith allows us to become a part of God’s family, but the law only brings a curse. It shows us our sin. It impossible to keep all the law, therefore it cannot save us. The law leads us to Jesus Christ who frees us from the curse of the law. We are saved by the Spirit of God given to us in the gospel and that same Spirit helps us live a godly life.

Sometimes there is a temptation to compromise the gospel of God’s grace not only doctrinally but practically in how we behave. The gospel does not need our embellishment. We are justified before God by His grace through faith and nothing else. Our behavioral performance cannot earn God’s grace. Those who compromise the gospel need to be confronted as Paul did Peter. Peter was behaving inconsistently with the gospel, but Paul took a firm stand against his behavior. The key to living for God is to identify with Jesus Christ and by faith allow Him to live His life through us.