Scripture: Galatians 4:21–31
Paul uses a powerful picture: Hagar and Sarah represent two covenants. Hagar points to the old covenant of law—bondage, striving, and slavery. Sarah points to the new covenant—freedom, promise, and grace. Then Paul says something that changes everything: “You… like Isaac, are children of promise.”
That means your relationship with God is not built on performance. Isaac didn’t arrive through human scheming—he came through a divine promise. In the same way, we don’t become God’s children through our effort; we are born again through what Jesus has done.
Here’s the daily battle: a “Hagar mentality” tries to live by “I must earn it.” It says, God will bless me because I fasted, prayed longer, and did everything right. But the gospel says, God blesses me because Jesus paid for it. We don’t work for acceptance—we work from acceptance. When you understand that your service to God should be because you realize that God has freely given you all you need, you will no longer struggle to be accepted by God.
Today, look into the “mirror” of God’s Word and see who you are: not a slave trying to qualify, but a beloved child who already belongs.
Confession:
I am not a slave. I am free in Christ. I receive God’s gifts by grace through faith.