Slave or Son - Which Status Do You Want? [Galatians 4]

1Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, 2but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father.  3So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world.  4But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,  5so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.  6Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"  7Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.  8However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. 9But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?

 

Slave or son – which one do I want to be?  There was a place for the time of slavery – it managed my behavior as a child and guarded me by giving me elementary things to do and not do.   But God did not leave me there. But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,  so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” What a comfort that God was willing to change my status to a son. 

 

I used to get caught up in the gender questions - Why didn’t God say I would be a daughter? Why are sons more important?  But verse 7 answers it so well, “Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.” This is about a relationship that gives incredible position.  I am a son who inherits all that the Father has. 

 

It is also about a relationship that brings incredible intimacy. "Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” I now have the Spirit of His Son (Jesus) in my heart, crying “Daddy, Father!” It is about knowing the Father (as Jesus did) but having a son relationship also is about being fully known by the Father.(v. 9)

 

"But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?" What a valuable question.  Why would I want to trade this incredible relationship and go back to being enslaved by the laws I lived by?  He is calling me to live in the truth - the truth of sonship. Why indeed, do I think slavery is easier?   Because it is predictable?  Because it doesn't require being known?


 

Thank You, that You rescue me from my foolishness.  Thank You that You have given me the Spirit of Your Son to cry out and remind me of the truth!  I praise You, Father, that You want to know me even as You want me to know You. You long for me to know You as my Abba Daddy.

Verna McCrillis, 5/7/2009
Feedback:
Melinda (Guest) 05/07/2009 08:46
"Because it doesn't require being known?" I appreciated this question.
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