 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.
Paul's Concern for the Galatians8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years! 11 I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain. 12 Brothers,[c] I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. 13 You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, 14 and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. 15 What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?[d]17 They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. 18 It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, 19 my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! 20 I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. Example of Hagar and Sarah21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. 23 But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. 24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia;[e] she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written, “Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than those of the one who has a husband.” 28 Now you,[f] brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” 31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman. Meditation Adoption is a beautiful picture of the gospel. A child is legally made a part of a family, accepted and completely loved. Several friends have shared stories of adoption, many have spoken of the difficulty for the child in learning to trust the love of the family. Spiritually speaking, do you trust the love of Our Father as a child of God? The Father loves you and sent Jesus to redeem you, to purchase you with His blood for participation in His family (5). The Father secures your status as a child by sealing you with His Spirit by whom you can cry, “Abba, Father” (6). To live in His love is to know “You are no longer slaves but children of God” (7). The Father’s love is secure. Children do not need to work to secure their status, serve for acceptance, or fear being sent away. That is an orphan. Paul contrasts children of God with people who call themselves Christians but live as slaves to the law, religious practices, and worthless elementary principles of the world. This is bondage, living as children of flesh. Christians are not children of slavery but (like Isaac) are children of promise. “It is for freedom that Christ has set you free” (5:1). Children of God respond to God’s grace through trusting God’s love. Children live from acceptance, in security, and with the approval of our Father. Believers are made family by the work of another, our Brother Jesus Christ. Let us live as children of God. Richly Dwelling -Do you live as an orphan or as a child of God? -As a child, do you trust the love of our Father or do you try to earn status, forgiveness, and love through personal performance and pious productivity? What consequences and feelings does this performance and striving lead to? -How can you live freely in the grace of God, knowing you are secure in His love through the finished work of Jesus? This is to ask, how can you love FROM God’s love rather than FOR God’s love? Key Verses 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. Comments are closed.
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