Today we continue our series entitled, “Grace and Truth” by continuing to look at The Law given under Moses vs. the Grace provided by Jesus. Our main scriptures are John 1:14 & 17. Let’s look at them again.
(John 1:14 NIV)
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
(John 1:17 NIV)
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
For the past few days we have been looking at Paul’s letter to the believers in Galatia. So far we covered Galatians 3:15-29. Yesterday we saw how Paul called The Law a guardian or a tutor. Paul helped us understand that The Law was given for a certain time, just like a Guardian, or a Nanny, is given to teach and protect a child for a certain time. As we transition into chapter four, Paul continues his analogy. today we will look at the chapter 4, verses 1-7. Let’s get into it.
Paul says, “Think of it this way. If a father dies and leaves an inheritance for his young children, those children are not much better off than slaves until they grow up, even though they actually own everything their father had. They have to obey their guardians until they reach whatever age their father set.” Paul wants us to picture a child who is born with a rich inheritance. Let’s say he is an heir to a throne. He has a bright future, but while he is a child he does not truly understand all his father owns, all he is heir to, nor who he really is. In this way, he is really no different from the child of a slave or servant. The two little boys — the baby who is a prince and the one who is the child of a servant — are both clueless about their future. And both simply follow the instructions of their parents or guardians.
Paul continues and says, “And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles of this world. But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.”
So what does this mean for you today? A few things. This is powerful!
1. The people who followed God under the Law, prior to Jesus, were like children born heirs to a great inheritance. But because they were children, they were clueless about their inheritance. Their ignorance made them no different from the children of slaves or servants, born with no inheritance. Said another way, the person who does not have an inheritance and the person who has one, but does not know about it, basically live the same way. So believers under The Law actually had a great inheritance coming, but they were ignorant to it, so the inheritance did not mean anything to them. They did not see themselves as sons of God. They were servants of God, slaves to The Law.
2. Prior to Jesus, God’s people were spiritually no different from non-believers. They did not have the Holy Spirit, therefore, Paul says they were “slaves to the basic spiritual principles of this world.” They were trying to follow God’s laws with human effort, but they did not have the Holy Spirit living inside of them.
3. In the fullness of time God sent His Son (Jesus), born of a woman (to be just like us), subject to The Law (in order to fulfill it). Paul says, “God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.” Because of Jesus we are now SONS of God! This is critical to understand.
4. Under The Law God’s people were slaves to The Law and mere servants of God. Under Grace we are now sons. The Bible says, “Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child.” There is a big difference between a slave or servant and a son.
5. Jesus died to deliver us from being slaves to The Law, and general servants of God, in order to make us sons. The Bible says, “And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.” We are now the sons (and I mean male and female) of God, and as sons, we have a great inheritance.
6. In Romans Paul said, “Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). We get to receive THE SAME inheritance Jesus received. The Father loves us NO LESS than He loved His own Son Jesus. He loves us with THE SAME love, He filled us with THE SAME Holy Spirit, and He gave us THE SAME faith Jesus had! Wow! You are not a slave. You are a not a servant. You are a SON of God!
7. If you are Born-Again, you are God’s son (male and female). You are an heir of God, and actually a Joint-heir with Christ Jesus Himself. Jesus came to graduate you from being a servant to being a son! Not because you earned it. Not because you deserved it. Actually not because of anything you did. God did this because He loves you and He wants to bless you as His child. He did this by His unearned and amazing GRACE! The day you open your heart to this truth will be the day you start walking in the fullness of the life Christ Jesus died to give you!
Declaration of Faith:
Father, there was a time when Your followers were mere servants. They followed You by focusing on a set of rules and laws, and they did not have an intimate relationship with You. Jesus died to deliver us from that situation. Because of Jesus I am not a slave or a servant, I am a SON! I have all the rights and privileges of a son. I get to talk to my Daddy whenever I want, and You are always there to talk to me! You have given me the authority to use Your name. Therefore, I am not afraid of satan or any demonic force. You have given me Your Holy Spirit, so I can operate in the supernatural daily. I don’t enter each day with my head down, like a servant. No, I enter each day with my head held high, knowing I am a child of the Most High God! I have the confidence of knowing that You are ON me, IN me, WITH me and FOR me. I am not afraid of any man, nor any force. I am a son of God, an heir of Your goodness, and a Joint-heir with Jesus Himself. I am a world-changer and atmosphere-setter! You use me to leave an indelible mark everywhere I go, because I’m Your SON! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
