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Not a slave but a son!

Scripture reading for August 20: Galatians 4

“In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.” Galatians 4:3-7

According to Paul, anointed by the Holy Spirit, the world view of those outside the faith is one of slavery to the elementary principles of the world. Those in that slavery don’t necessarily look at their lives that way. The god of this world has deceived them to think of themselves as free to do whatever feels good to them. Those practicing Judaism also were in slavery to those same principles but their religion gave them hope through keeping the law of God through human effort. But by the works of the law, no human flesh will be justified. (Galatians 2:16) But God has provided a remedy to deliver those in slavery to this world and to human effort to be good.

God’s plan was to send His Son, Jesus Christ, in the form of human flesh, born of woman, and born under the law. Jesus Christ would suffer temptation from every elementary principle of this world and from the evil one, Satan. He would in the power of the Holy Spirit resist sin and then offer Himself as the Redeemer of all in slavery. He, the Firstborn Son, would defeat the slave master, Satan and send all who would believe in Him a gift from the Father, the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God would bear witness inside each believer that they were no longer slaves, but sons of God through faith. “Abba! Father!” would be the cry of our reborn hearts as we were adopted back into the forever family of God!

In what ways do you now recognize that you were once a slave to the elementary principles of this world? How did you come to have a change in your world view and the need to make changes? Has religion ever been a hinderance to finding new birth and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit Who cries “Abba!”?

Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to redeem us all from slavery. I once thought I was in control of my destiny but was really a slave. When I humbled my heart and acknowledged my slavery and sins, Jesus forgave me and I was filled with a new world view of sonship in God’s family! Praise Abba! Amen!