Galatians 4:1-7
Sons and Heirs
“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.”
In ancient times, a custom throughout the land identified the heir of a wealthy man who did not have a son. In Genesis 15:1-21, God talks to Abram (before God changed his name to Abraham) in a vision and told Abram that his reward shall be great. In Genesis 15:2, Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” It is important to note that Eliezar was Abram’s oldest and most loyal servant. He is a foreigner who will be Abram’s heir if Abram did not have a son. God ensured Abram that he will have a son who will be his heir. On first inspection, It is hard to fathom the close relationship Abram had with the omnipotent Creator God, the Lord God Almighty. James 2:23 says, ‘“Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.’ Truly, Abraham was a man of faith. This passage in Genesis 15 is significant to us because God makes a covenant with Abram that his descendants will inherit the land promised to Abraham. God promised the land of Caanan to Abraham’s descendants 430 years before they actually received it (also mentioned in Galatians 3:17). Yet, God is faithful to His promises.
As a quick review, in Galatians 1 and 2, Paul defends his apostolic authority. And in Galatians 3 and 4, Paul defends the gospel he preaches and presents very important theological positions that are non-negotiable. For example, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul includes today’s text to present a very important theological argument; just like he did in Galatians 2:15-21, when he said, we are justified by faith, and in Galatians 3:15-21, when Paul said the righteous shall live by faith, and now in today’s passage in Galatians 4:1-7, the Apostle said we are now heirs in Christ.
Paul says that an heir, when as a child is no different than a slave, even though the son has an inheritance and will own everything one day. However, the inheritance has not yet become effective, because presently, the son is under guardianship until the time comes when the son finally takes his lawful position as the heir. In the Doctrine of Adoption, Paul says that we, as children, are enslaved to the elements of the sinful nature of this world. Galatians 4:4-5 are great memory verses we need to learn, which says, “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.” These two verses present the Gospel of Jesus Christ so clearly and simply. And I love how the verse begins, “But when the fullness of time had come…” This means when Ceasar Augustus was the ruler of the land when a registry was enacted and Joseph took his espoused wife, who was with child by the Holy Spirit, and went to Bethlehem to be counted. This is where the child Jesus was born to fulfill the prophecy that the Messiah would come from the lineage of King David, in the city of Bethlehem. This was no accident. Our Sovereign Lord God ordered and put all things in motion so that when the fullness of time had come, God sent his one and only Son, to become flesh and be under the law. Nevertheless, His Son was still all God and all man. Therefore, He became the perfect, sinless sacrifice to redeem us, and thereby, adopting us as sons of God. Since we are no longer a slave to sin but sons, we are now an heir through God. The Westminster Confession of Faith of 1646 says in regards to the Doctrine of Adoption:
“All those that are justified, God vouchsafeth, in and for His only Son Jesus Christ, to make partakers of the grace of adoption, (Eph 1:5; Gal 4:4-5); by which they are taken into the number, and enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children of God, (Rom 8:17; Jhn 1:12); have His name put upon them, (Jer 14:9; 2Co 6:18; Rev 3:12); receive the spirit of adoption, (Rom 8:15); have access to the throne of grace with boldness, (Eph 3:12; Rom 5:2); are enabled to cry, Abba, Father, (Gal 4:6); are pitied, (Psa 103:13); protected, (Pro 14:26); provided for, (Mat 6:30, 32; 1Pe 5:7); and chastened by Him, as by a Father, (Hbr 12:6): yet never cast off, (Lam 3:31); but sealed to the day of redemption, (Eph 4:30); and inherit the promises, (Hbr 6:12); as heirs of everlasting salvation, (1Pe 1:3-4; Heb 1:14).”
Therefore, as heirs with Christ through faith in Him, we have the Spirit of Chirst in us so we may go to our Father God and say to Him as a tender child, “Abba, Father!” Because we are adopted, we have the promised Holy Spirit indwelling within us. We also have boldness, through the blood of Christ, to come before the Father. We can come to him in worship, praise, and prayer. Prasie God for His love for us and adopting us into the family of God, His church.
><> ><> PRAYER <>< <><
Most precious heavenly Father, I thank You and worship You because of Your love and grace You have given me. I do not deserve this, because I am so unworthy. Yet, because of the great price of Your Son’s precious blood, I see the extent of Your great love: Christ saved me and brought me into amazing his family of God, Your church. Thank You, my Lord and my God. Thank You for this book of Galatians to reveal to me Your great perfect plan of salvation and that You are God, and there is no other God besides You. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, amen!
><> ><> HYMN <>< <><
A Child of A King by Harriett H. Buel in 1877:
