As Paul the apostle
continues his persuasion toward the promise of the grace of God, he
has used the example of an immature heir who must be in training
before he is allowed to control the inheritance. In the same way the
law of God is used to provide boundaries for those who have not
received Jesus Christ as Savior yet, however they will find a
relationship with Him necessary through failure to keep this very
law. We have learned that when a person receives God's gift of grace
he or she moves to the position of adopted child, and now there is a
closeness to God that allows them to call him “Daddy.” In chapter
four and verse seven Paul shows us the progression for the person who
relies upon, trusts in and clings to Jesus Christ. He wrote:
Wherefore you are no
more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through
Christ.
First,
Paul says, “Wherefore you are no more a servant, but a son;”
Because God Almighty has adopted those who believe in the
substitutionary sacrifice of His Son Jesus, the position of “servant”
is no longer applicable. The believer is family now, and though there
used to be a distance between the Heavenly Father and the
non-believer, all that has change. God is the adopting Heavenly
Father who by His grace has promoted those who were once servants to
His children.
Next
Paul adds, “and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”
As though it were not enough to be known as a child of God, Paul
adds that those who believe in Jesus are now “heirs of God.”
In other words there is inheritance available. God so loved
people that through Jesus He did not desire they remain in their
“servant” role, but rather that they be His child and heir. Oh
the grace of God! Oh the abundant grace of God! That the King of
Kings and Lord of Lords would desire to have a family of adopted
children is almost too much to comprehend, but then to add that He
desires that they have inheritance with Him...well, what can we say
to the marvelous grace of God.
As Paul
encourages the believers in Galatia concerning their position and
standing with God, can we not imagine that the binding laws and
traditions of the Judaizers are having less and less impact upon
their thinking? What about us? Have we rules and traditions in place
that are beginning to wane because we are understanding more clearly
our standing with God by His grace? If we are really understanding
Paul's words, we realize that if we are believers in Jesus Christ, we
are now...Princes and Princesses of the Almighty King of Kings! Oh
what a status we enjoy! Oh what grace of God! Oh the mighty and
wonderful love of God toward us! May all who read these words
understand.
Next time we will look at what the church members and we were like
before we knew Jesus Christ, so read ahead, and let us join together
then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look for
the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation
to Generation” in all major
bookstore
sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to
e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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