Tag: Galatians 4:3-7
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!
“Abba! Father!”: the cry of God’s Son
Scripture reading for March 27th: Galatians 4, Psalm 61, Proverbs 30
Galatians 4:3-7 “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 a 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.”
Paul, although a pious Jew, recognized that as a young child he was in slavery to the elementary principles of this world system. That is how all humans are born the first time. But at just the right time in the timing of God our Father, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ into the world. He was born of a woman and grew up under the law as a Jew. He perfectly kept God’s law as an obedient Son. His purpose was to redeem all men and women and to free them from slavery to their flesh and the law by a promise of eternal life and forgiveness of sins through His sinless sacrifice on the cross. All who would believe the promise would receive the Gift of the Father, the Holy Spirit, Who would cry “Abba! Father!” in our heart.
Psalm 61:4-5 “Let me dwell in Your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of Your wings! (Selah) For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your Name.”
Prayer: Abba! Father! Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me the gift of the Holy Spirit. Through the Holy Spirit I now can understand Your Word and plans. I know God as my “Abba”–Daddy. You have given me an inheritance of a dwelling place in Your eternal kingdom and full right of sonship. I trust every Word of my Father as Truth and seek to live a life that pleases You by faith in that Word. Amen!
Proverbs 30:5-6 “Every Word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His Words, lest He rebuke you and you be found a liar.”