Galatians 4:1-7--Sons and Heirs​

Sons and Heirs​
4 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

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Just a short, but very important passage today.  How do you define yourself as a Christian?  It says a lot about what you believe about the gospel!  For instance, do you call each other "saints"?  The early Church did!  What about "sons and daughters of God"?  Does that seem presumptuous--like somehow you are making yourself equal with the Son of God?  That's exactly what this passage says though!  Do you still identify with your sin and call yourself "a sinner saved by grace."? Be careful with that one that you don't make God out to be a liar and say that you are something different than what He has made you.  If the gospel has taken root, it WILL produce fruit, so if we see no fruit (someone is still controlled by the flesh), we can "judge" that there is no root and that they are not saved according to the words of Jesus--only God can condemn such a person to hell, but we can be discerning and understand that the person does not have the power of the gospel at work in their lives.  If they did, they might see themselves as a person that was despicable that didn't deserve to be saved, but that would turn into adoration, praise and thanksgiving--giving glory to God.  It would not be self-centered, even in a "woe is me" fashion.

Let's take a look at why Paul says that in Christ those who are saved are now sons of God and co-heirs with Jesus (by adoption).  Recall that right before this, Paul had been talking about how the child that was of school age had a guardian to take care of him, protect him, and make sure that he was where he was supposed to be (specifically, in school).  Paul said that was the duty the Law--to get us to the point where we would come to God for knowledge.  Paul argues that this child, even though the heir of the King of Heaven, is not free to do whatever he wants at this point in his life.  He is as one of the Father's slaves obeying the commands he is given and not free to make his own choices (because he's not wise enough or responsible enough to do so).  That is why the heir has been given a guardian....to help make those wise choices for him.  Paul says that this was our state before we knew about Christ--though we were part of "the elect," we were still in a state where we needed the Law to make us do what we ought to do.

Now, in the fullness of time, Christ, the only begotten of the Father, has come, born into the world that was under the curse of the Law (yet without sin Himself) so that He might redeem and set free those under the curse of the Law so that we might obtain our full rights and status as sons (and daughters) of God.  Did you know sons by adoption could legally not be cut out of the will in a Roman family?  They could not be treated any differently than a son born of blood.  So Paul is saying here that even though Jesus is the "only begotten" Son, the Father treats us no differently as adopted sons then He treats the Son of God!  That is amazing!!!!  That is not to accept the heresy that we are now somehow "little gods," but what a change in status that should result and a change in the way we look and act!  There is only one crown prince who will be given the royal throne one day, and that is Christ, but we will all be given crowns and thrones and dominion and authority by the Father and the Son at the time that we receive our heavenly rewards--most of which we turn right around and lay at the feet of Jesus.

Now God Himself through the Holy Spirit watches over us--what the Law used to do--and testifies to us who we really are and causes us to cry out, "Abba, Father" (That is "Daddy").  What a different kind of relationship we have with God the Father now!  You are no longer a slave to sin or the Law, but a son of God!  Isn't that some of the best news that you've ever heard?!? And you will be an heir to the kingdom!  Paul is going to make the argument, "Now act like it." to the Galatian Church and will tell them to not let anyone else redefine their identity or role.  Why would anyone that had been a slave to sin and the Law and had been set free to be a child of the King want to go back to being a slave of sin and the Law again?  That is what is so upsetting to Paul about these "Christians" turning away from the gospel so quickly.