Rescued from the World by God

Paul reminds the Galatians that they have been freed from the bondage of the elements of the world, the way the world works.

The Law was a spiritual application and usage of the way the world works. It imposed judgment as a consequence for sin, conforming to the way the world works. It showed the hopelessness of righteousness by works, indeed, it provoked more disobedience. It taught the need for a substitute sacrifice for sinners.

God imbedded in the Mosaic Law a statement of what it would take for man to step outside of the way the world works: to love God completely, and our neighbors as ourselves. But who can do that! Indeed, we know that love is not the way the world works at all.

How can we get free of this bondage to the rudiments of the world? The Gospel shows us the way: by receiving the righteousness of God by faith in the sacrifice of Jesus! Christ's work has released us from the way the world works, because He has taken on Himself the consequences, breaking the linkage between actions and consequences for sin.

All through Scripture, God shows us His operation outside the way the world works, and calls us to trust in His power to save.

The very creation is contrary to it: everything is made from nothing! Abraham and Sarah were promised a child when it was physically impossible! Abraham trusted that God could raise Isaac up from the dead so that the promises might be fulfilled. The Red Sea was crossed on dry land.

All these are utterly contrary to the way we know the world works, yet God saved His people contrary to it!

By faith the thief on the cross broke free from the way the world works when He cried out for salvation from a dying King.