Friday, July 4th
Read: Galatians 4:1-7
What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. 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.
Spend a few minutes discussing questions you have about the passage. Here are a few to get you started:
What is an heir?
How were we in slavery under the basic principles of the world?
How did Christ redeem those under the law? Who were “those under the law?”
You see, the Galatians were like that— they were spiritual children, not adults. They had stopped following the original message that Paul had preached. They had gone astray and were following a different message. Some had slipped back into their old sinful lives and others believed the Jewish believers when they said that they had to follow the Jewish law, in addition to believing in Jesus, their Savior. When they did this, they weren’t maturing as Christians. They were staying as children—they were enslaving themselves. The Galatians were not allowing themselves to be free in Christ.
Just like Paul wanted for the Galatians, God wants us to be free. He wants us to fully reach and take hold of what He has to give to us. We might have slipped into old sin or maybe we think that there is more we need to do to be saved or maybe we are just going through the motions of church. Guess what—there is hope! See Christ came that you may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10b). He came to redeem all of us who are under the law, that we might receive the full rights of sons (Galatians 4:5). All we need to do is repent and turn to God and follow Christ. John 1:12 says it all—“Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”
Repent of that sin. Believe that there is nothing more that you can do and allow God to change you so that you don’t find yourself caught in the trap of just going through the motions. Cry out to Him, “FATHER, I love You. I want to serve You. I want to be Your child. I want to do whatever You want me to do.”
When we are mature enough God gives us huge blessings and gifts. We have reached the age when we can have our inheritance. God then gives us the $10,000 (so to speak). Believe that God wants to do this. Believe that He can transform your life. Believe that He can make it whole, and full, and amazing.
“So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.” (Galatians 4:7)
Process:
-Do you believe that you are a child of God, a co-heir with Christ? Find someone who can disciple you and help you grow into your identity in Christ. What might be causing you to still be immature, and not be ready to take hold of what God wants for your life? You know what it is.
– Are you just going through the motions? Ask God to change your heart and give you joy and a new passion for the things He desires.