Bible In A Year | Read: Galatians 4
4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. (The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a legal term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture.) 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 4:4-7
Overview of Chapter
Paul compares not having Christ with slavery and having Christ with being free. For the Jews, they were like children who were to inherit an estate. As long as they were children, the inheritance is held in trust. In Old Testament times the Jews had the promise that their Messiah was coming, but could not enjoy the full benefits until he actually arrived. For Gentiles, they worshipped false gods and observed feasts and practices that were useless. Neither group should have any reason for returning to slavery.
We return to slavery anytime we go back to our old way of life without Christ. It might be a religious ritual or behavior or it could be a sinful behavior. It was the deliverance from sin and slavery that attracted us to Jesus; why go back?
Thoughts on the verses
What does it mean to be God’s child? Today we get a closer look at what it really means to call God our Dad, and what He means when He calls us his heirs. Heir means there is an inheritance. So what is it? What are the perks – and what are the responsibilities? Does God treat his kids like slaves – or sons? Like debtors – or daughters? Galatians 4 is a call to return to the pure joy of being God’s children.
Action Steps
Bible: What is God showing me? What am I going to do about it?
Bless: Serve one person through word, action, or gift today.
Prayer
Dear God, thank you that I’m included in your family. You see me as your son and daughter. Help me to live out of my identity and not out of guilt.
Have you ever thought it would be cool to hear some C3 leaders discuss the daily verses, share about their lives and mostly just talk about nonsense? Of course not!…even though nobody has ever thought that we are still doing it. You can follow along with us each morning in a brand new podcast – Tuesday’s Brand New Daddy of Two.
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