WELCOME TO THE FAMILY

GALATIANS 4:4-7 NKJ 
4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 
6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. 

OBSERVATION:

Paul is still presenting his case of the gospel of faith versus the false gospel of works.   

Always keeping in mind that Paul is writing by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. So, this letter is not based on a personal pet peeve but a godly concern. 

The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of freedom and privilege. What we have available to us through Jesus is far better than what the Jews had under the old covenant. Jesus has bought for us a far better covenant which includes becoming sons of God.  

Jesus redeemed us that we might receive the adoption as sons. To redeem means to buy back. He purchased us that we might become sons of God. Being a son was a position of privilege in a family, so in God's scheme of things, we are male and female sons. The scriptures made that point clear when Galatians 3:28 stated that there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 

And now, because we are adopted into the family, God sent the Holy Spirit into our hearts, and we cry Abba Father. So now we have access to the mighty Holy Spirit and access to God Himself as our Father. Abba was a Hebrew word similar to Dad or Daddy. Not formal, very family.   

And the Old Testament Jews were God's servants, not His sons. Because of Jesus, we are sons of God, His heirs through Christ. What a huge privilege. It is so much better being a son than a slave. So much better being a valued part of God's family. And all of this was unearned but rather given to us through the grace of Jesus.   

APPLICATION: 

We adopted my sister when she was six months old. She came in as a much-loved member of my family. She enjoyed all the privileges of family, as I did. Being adopted was an upgrade for her.   

By the same token, being adopted into God's family is a big upgrade. We were once without God; now, we are a valued part of His family as a son and an heir. No wonder Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, was so adamant about the better gospel that we have in Christ.   

PRAYER: 

Dear Father, thank You that I can call You Father. I am Your son, Your heir, and glad to be a part of Your family.