Pastor Luther Walker teaches from Galatians on spiritual maturity, identity in Christ, and transitioning from spiritual immaturity (”inarticulate babbler” or nepios) to mature sonship.
He begins with Galatians 3:27, explaining that believers baptized into Christ “put on Christ” like an outer garment, meaning Christ’s righteousness is imputed to us. God no longer sees us as condemned but as righteous and saved in Christ. This changes our status and requires a renewed frame of mind—focusing on things above (Colossians 3:1-2), where our life is hidden with Christ.
In Ephesians 4:24, believers put on the “new man” created in God’s righteousness and holiness (piety/truth lived out). Holiness means being separated to God, not merely from sin; focusing on what Christians should do rather than legalistic “don’ts.” This involves laying aside the old man’s traits like bitterness, inner anger, wrath, clamor, blasphemy, and malice (Ephesians 4:31).
As God’s elect and beloved (Colossians 3:12), believers put on tender compassions (compassion), kindness (making others at ease to see truth), humility (proper frame of mind, neither too high nor too low), objectivity of mind (meekness—staying focused on Christ regardless of opposition), longsuffering (patiently enduring unreasonable people), and being gracious toward ourselves and others (rooted in grace, not limited merit-based favor). Above all, put on love—seeking the best for others, the bond of maturity (Colossians 3:14). Let God’s peace umpire decisions for harmony among believers.
In Christ, distinctions vanish: no Jew/Greek, slave/free, male/female—we are one (Galatians 3:28). Under the Mosaic Law, these created barriers, but Christ abolished the dividing wall, creating one new man from Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2:15). We are transferred from Adam (condemnation) to Christ. Israel remains distinct and will be saved (Romans 11:26); the church does not replace Israel. All believers are sons/heirs (position of privilege and maturity, not gender-specific), with equal standing but diverse spiritual gifts distributed by the Holy Spirit for the body’s benefit (1 Corinthians 12; 1 Peter 4:10).
We inherit Abraham’s promise through Christ (the singular seed, Genesis 22:17), not land covenants (Galatians 3:29). Today, there are three “races” biblically: Jews, Gentiles (Greeks), and the church of God (1 Corinthians 10:32)—our source is now Christ.
In Galatians 4:1-7, an heir as a child (nepios—inarticulate babbler, immature) differs little from a slave, under guardians (the law as tutor). At the appointed time, the heir becomes a full son. Similarly, believers were once in bondage under worldly elementary principles (philosophy, traditions, “touch not, taste not”—Colossians 2:8, 20-23). These have no value against fleshly indulgence and include practices like Lent or fasting for righteousness (we already have Christ’s imputed righteousness). God sent His Son, born under law, to redeem those under it, granting us adoption as sons (placement of sons). We must reject worldly principles and live as mature sons, applying defenses against sin nature (Romans 6), Satan (Ephesians 6 armor), and the world (crucified to it).
The message emphasizes recognizing identity in Christ, living out holiness through grace, maturity, and freedom from legalism or worldly rules.
