Mike Mosby

Galatians 4:1-7

This is what I am saying: When young children inherit all that their father owned, they are still no different from his servants. It doesn’t matter that they own everything. 2 While they are children, they must obey those who are chosen to care for them. But when they reach the age the father set, they are free. 3 It is the same for us. We were once like children, servants to the useless rules of this world. 4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son, who was born from a woman and lived under the law. 5 God did this so that he could buy the freedom of those who were under the law. God’s purpose was to make us his children.

6 Since you are now God’s children, he has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts. The Spirit cries out, “ Abba, Father.” 7 Now you are not slaves like before. You are God’s children, and you will receive everything he promised his children.

Reflection:

Previously, in Galatians 3:19-29, we read that before Jesus, laws were given to God’s people. These laws are compared to guardians who watch over children. They showed God’s children ‘the way” until Jesus came and showed us in-person. These laws were the guardians of the people until the coming of Christ. Now though, everyone who has been baptized into Christ no longer needs a guardian because they are justified by their faith in Jesus. Therefore, if you belong to Christ, you are an heir to God’s promise.

In Galatians 4:1-7, Paul continues to give encouragement by letting the church in Galatia know that because they have been baptized into Christ, they are no longer like children who are bound the rules of this world and slaves to sin. Because of Christ, the Holy Spirit is within their hearts, and can go on knowing that they will receive God’s promise. No matter what, through God’s justifying grace, Jesus’ sacrifice has washed away the stain of all our sins, we have been forgiven!

God loves us more than we can ever know, and God hopes that we will grow close to God.  We are no longer bound to the consequences the Law states we deserve (guilt) of past sins that we have committed. We’re freed up from needing to absolve ourselves with rituals, but instead we have been absolved. God has freed us up so that we can grow closer to God!

Furthermore, we never need to have to worry about being good enough for God because we already are! Instead of worrying about trying to “get it right” all the time and that we are free to make mistakes knowing that our relationship with God will never be hurt. Our faith in Jesus and the presence of the Holy Spirit within us has made certain that we are God’s children and we have inherited his promise!     

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus.  Thank you for always loving me.  Help me to remember that my relationship with you does not depend on me doing things right or a certain way.  Also, help me to remember that I am your child and I have inherited your promise.   Amen.