Becoming an Heir in God's Family

Creation: A Divine Cycle
The Birthing of a New Community

New Birth Brings Freedom

Galatians 4:1-7 The Message

4 1-3 Let me show you the implications of this. As long as the heir is a minor, he has no advantage over the slave. Though legally he owns the entire inheritance, he is subject to tutors and administrators until whatever date the father has set for emancipation. That is the way it is with us: When we were minors, we were just like slaves ordered around by simple instructions (the tutors and administrators of this world), with no say in the conduct of our own lives.
4-7 But when the time arrived that was set by God the Father, God sent his Son, born among us of a woman, born under the conditions of the law so that he might redeem those of us who have been kidnapped by the law. Thus we have been set free to experience our rightful heritage. You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children because God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives crying out, “Papa! Father!” Doesn’t that privilege of intimate conversation with God make it plain that you are not a slave, but a child? And if you are a child, you’re also an heir, with complete access to the inheritance.

For Reflection

What is this "inheritance"?

Those who believe in God and accept the will of God are the adopted children of God.  As God's children, humans have been freed from religion so that we might experience our heritage.  "For the promise to Abraham and his offspring (which was conveyed to us)  that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith." (Romans 4:13 ).  "...we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God."  (Romans 5.2 ). "Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession." (Psalm 2:8).  "So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s." (1 Corinthians 3:21–23 )

Everything that is belongs to God, and we are God's children.  God asks us to accept our family status and become the stewards of our heritage as God's will directs.  God, who dwells in us, will protect us from idolatry (in my opinion, the foundational sin) and give us the riches of his grace; kindness, patience, glory, wisdom, power, and mercy. Our inheritance is not only a hopeful expectation for the after-life but also, a heritage which honors God in the here and now.

Pray

Give thanks to God for the heritage of eternal life.  Thank God for including our children in God's inheritance.  Thank God for the Holy Spirit who resides within us now as a guarantee of all that is to come.  Pray that you will steward this heritage in ways that honor God.