No longer a Slave but God’s Own Child

Gal. 4:1-7 NLT 

   1 Think of it this way. If a father dies and leaves an inheritance for his young children, those children are not much better off than slaves until they grow up, even though they actually own everything their father had. 2 They have to obey their guardians until they reach whatever age their father set. 3 And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles of this world. 

   4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. 6 And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” 7 Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.

You and I understand what it was like prior to Christ calling us to Himself and our responding. We remember the struggles with self, the conflicts in the world's ways of trying to 'get ahead.'  Why are we tempted to go back into that after we have enjoyed the love and peace of Christ? Why do we listen when the enemy plants seeds of doubt before us and seeks to trip us up in our walk with Christ? We know several things-- we have already discovered them by faith-- in this new life. Paul reminds us of our enslavement to our fallen human nature prior to Christ (vv 1-3). Paul points out for us that we have been purchased and adopted from slavery into freedom by Christ's sacrifice. A terrible price was paid by God for us. Never feel you are worthless because it Cost God the life of His son Jesus Christ for you to become redeemed from sin.

You and I are now children of God-- God is our "Papa" (v 6). We can call Him that if we choose. We can cuddle up in his arms like a baby cuddles up in his father or mother's arms. We can be comforted by God in the same way a troubled child is comforted by his or her loving parent. And, there is more. We are an heir of the wealth of God. We inherit together with Jesus Christ for we are now of the same family as he.  Why would we ever consider turning our backs on all this? Oh, Lord, preserve us in our faith and the peace of Christ.

Your servant
Dan
drdanelliott@gmail.com