Tag: Galatians 4
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!
A son of God and Heir!
Scripture reading for August 19th: Galatians 4
Key scriptures for over-comers: Galatians 4:4-7 “But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.”
God’s timing is always perfect! At just the right time, He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ to redeem those under the law of God and in slavery to sin. After paying for mankind’s sins on the cross of Calvary and raising from the dead by the Spirit of Holiness, Jesus and the Father sent the Holy Spirit to live in the hearts of believers. This Gift of the Father testifies to us that we are now adopted ‘sons of God’ and heirs of the promises made to all who have faith. Why would anyone want to go back under the law and it’s condemnation? In Christ God has given us a full inheritance as His children!
Observations for over-comers: Over-comers know the reality of becoming sons of God by faith in Jesus Christ and live a life of faith expecting the full inheritance of eternal life with God the Father! “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant placers; surely I have a delightful inheritance. . . .You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.” (Psalm 16:6, 11)
Sons and Heirs of God!
Scripture reading for August 20th: Galatians 4
Those who by faith put their hope in Jesus Christ for salvation and forgiveness of sins are adopted into God’s family and become ‘Sons of God’. As a son has a right to the family estate, so we who believe now are heirs of God!
“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. For if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:26-28) Paul was teaching the Galatians that in Christ there was no longer any distinction between Jew and Gentile, male or female or slave or free people in their access to God as Father or to the inheritance promised to Abraham by faith. Christ has opened up God’s family to all who believe!
“But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba”, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.” (Galatians 4:4-7)
What is the inheritance of believers? God promised to be their Father and they His children! God promised them eternal life in His Holy Presence and access to Him! God gave the Holy Spirit as a down payment of the inheritance that now is ours by faith! The Spirit within us cries “Abba, Father!”