Thursday, September 19

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

"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....  It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 4:3-7, 5:1)

In his letter to the Galatians, among the first of Paul's letters, he addresses the essential nature of the Gospel message and its implications for this young church.  In Chapters 4 and 5, he contrasts the slavery of sin and the freedom of sonship.  Due to living in this world, we may waver between these two contrasting points, but these Scriptures are clear:  God has allowed us to receive adoption as His sons and daughters and to experience real freedom.

The verses from Galatians 4:3-7 highlight the interconnectedness of the Trinity in our adoption to sonship.  God the Feather sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to "redeem those under the law."  He took on full humanity, "born under the law," so that he might serve as a perfect and complete sacrifice for those who would follow Him.  Subsequently, God the Father sent the Spirit so that we may cry out, "Abba, Father!"  That is, God both makes it possible for us to become adopted as sons and then to embrace that adoption.

In a very helpful book, Dr. David Seamonds delineates between the privileges of sons and daughters vs. the responsibilities of servants.  The servant looks to earn the master's acceptance, but the son or daughter already has full acceptance as an heir.  Nonetheless, we hang on to a performance orientation, which ultimately feeds our pride.  We wish to justify ourselves rather than to receive the full justification that God richly provides.

Seamonds writes:  "After many years of pastoral ministry in which it has been my privilege to counsel people of varying races and cultures, I have come to a strong conclusion that the last thing we humans surrender to God is an admission of our helplessness to save ourselves.  We will give up our sins, ambitions, money, name, fame, comfort; we are willing to sacrifice and surrender them all to God.  But the most difficult, costly, and last thing we will give up is our confidence that there is something we can do that will earn us a right relationship with God."

As you study Galatians, where do you fall?  In light of Paul's words, how might you adjust your approach to sonship vs. the slavery of proving yourself (and the burden of sin)?

Lord God, thank You for bringing freedom through the completed work of Christ.  Help us to grow closer to You and to embrace our sonship more fully.  Give us greater confidence in Your rich provision and the freedom that You have provided.  In Jesus's mighty Name, amen.