Galatians 4. “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” So, you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.” (Gal 4:4-7)

I introduced the adoption analogy yesterday in Galatians 3, as an example of how we accept the invitation to becoming a part of God’s kingdom family through faith, it is not a status that can be earned by obedience to all the rules. When a legal adoption is finalized, the child becomes the same as one born of blood – with a new last name, a new identity, all the rights of inheritance, and all the responsibilities and benefits of being a child. This is our position because of Christ Jesus, we are children of God’s kingdom family.

Sidebar: The text says sons, even though today we would say sons and daughters, because in the biblical era only sons had the right of inheritance. Writing to entire church communities, the Apostle Paul says for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith (Gal 3:26) – meaning that all people who believe have the inheritance rights of what was normally granted only to sons.

Paul goes on to say, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal 3:28) It is said that we are all equal at the foot of the cross. God makes no distinction between his children – your ethnicity, gender, or socio-economic status do not hinder you or affect your inheritance or position in any way – we are all members of the same kingdom of God family. That was a radical idea in the first century and is still a radical idea for many people today.

In this chapter we see other important benefits we have as adopted children of God. A big one is the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts (Gal 4:6). We can cry out to God as Abba, Father; and He hears us and responds to us. Because of the Holy Spirit we also can claim the many promises of God. If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. (Gal 3:29) The presence of the Holy Spirit also gives us power for life and ministry. The Holy Spirit shall come upon you, and you shall receive power (Acts 1:8). This Holy Spirit power is for the development of God’s character in us as the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5 tomorrow!) and the gifts of the Spirit to be used in ministry.

How blessed we are to be called the children of God – safe in our position, sealed with the presence of the Holy Spirit, able to claim the promises of God, and given access to the power of God for character development and ministry!

Do you know anyone who has adopted children or been adopted? What did you learn from their experience? What blessings might come from having a place in a godly family where you were cared for, protected, and empowered?

Galatians is tough, y’all! Hang in there! What stood out to you in Galatians 4?