March 16 - Galatians 4:1-7

March 16 - Galatians 4:1-7

What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.  Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

In Paul’s time, the difference between a minor child and a slave was not terribly great.  You have to first of all understand that for the most part, slaves were treated quite well – they were part of a family (for the most part).  An under-aged child was not entitled to any of the financial benefits that would come to an heir until he was of age.

Gentiles and anyone outside the nation of Jews had no belief that they could be part of the family of God … unless they became Jewish.  Within the kingdom of God … there was no expectation that they were worth any more than a slave … they certainly weren’t considered heirs of the kingdom.

Look back at the previous verses. Paul clearly says that there is neither slave nor free, Jew nor Gentile, male nor female in the kingdom of God.  All are considered equal in God’s eyes. 

Then Paul expresses quite clearly how this works.  Jesus came as a Jew.  He was born and lived under the Law.  He came to redeem those under the Law.  But … He was also born of a woman.  This was a huge issue in patriarchal Judaism.  God didn’t just show up on earth riding a white horse – He blessed women by allowing the Logos … Jesus Christ … the Word of God, to be born from her.  Then, when Christ died and the curtain in the Temple was ripped open, He exposed the heart of God to the entire world … Jews and Gentiles alike.

We can be adopted legally into God’s kingdom which allows us to have full rights of inheritance.  He sees us as His children.  We are no longer on the outside as minor children with no rights, but upon accepting Christ Jesus as our Savior, we receive the full inheritance of God’s kingdom.