Life of Grace and Life of Islam

Life of Grace and Life of Islam

More Differences between Christianity and Islam (Galatians 4:21-5:1)

Some of you would like to be under the rule of the Law of Moses. But do you know what the Law says? In the Scriptures we learn that Abraham had two sons. The mother of one of them was a slave, while the mother of the other one had always been free. The son of the slave woman was born in the usual way. But the son of the free woman was born because of God’s promise. All of this has another meaning as well. Each of the two women stands for one of the agreements God made with his people. Hagar, the slave woman, stands for the agreement that was made at Mount Sinai. Everyone born into her family is a slave. Hagar also stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and for the present city of Jerusalem. She and her children are slaves. But our mother is the city of Jerusalem in heaven above, and she isn’t a slave. The Scriptures say about her, “You have never had children, but now you can be glad. You have never given birth, but now you can shout. Once you had no children, but now you will have more children than a woman who has been married for a long time.” My friends, you were born because of this promise, just as Isaac was. But the child who was born in the natural way made trouble for the child who was born because of the Spirit. The same thing is happening today. The Scriptures say, “Get rid of the slave woman and her son! He won’t be given anything. The son of the free woman will receive everything.” My friends, we are children of the free woman and not of the slave. Christ has set us free! This means we are really free. Now hold on to your freedom and don’t ever become slaves of the Law again.

(Galatians 4:21-5:1 CEV)

Life of Islam Life of Grace

Mother was a slave Mother was free

Son of slave woman Son of free woman

Born the usual way Born because of God’s promise

Agreement of bondage Agreement of Christ

Agreement on on earth (Mt. Sinai law) Agreement in heaven (grace)

Agreement in Arabia (Ishmael’s sons – slaves) Agreement with free woman (free children)

NOT born of the promise Born of the promise

Born the natural way causes trouble Born of the Spirit causes freedom

Son of the slave woman receives nothing Son of the promise receives everything

Stays a slave Christ sets me free