Bible Study - Something More (2) - I Am a Child of the King - Galatians 4:1-7 - January 28, 2018

Bible Study – Something More (2) – I Am a Child of the King – January 28, 2018

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “Made for Something More.”

Our focus scripture is Galatians 4:1-7.

JESUS makes us full members of HIS family.

The Apostle Paul likely wrote this letter to the Galatians from Syrian Antioch after his first missionary journey. After he departed the area, Judaizers came in trying to convince these new Christians, especially the Gentile Christians, that faith in JESUS was not sufficient for salvation. The Judaizers would tell these new converts to Christianity, if they truly desired the right relationship with GOD, they needed to convert to Judaism and follow the Jewish law e.g. to be circumcised and follow the Jewish law, rituals, etc. 

The Apostle Paul’s profound message was “that faith in JESUS alone makes Christians full members of GOD’S family!” Christians do not need to do anything else.

To drive this point home for these new converts, Paul compared salvation, through faith in JESUS, with a child who will inherit his or her father’s estate. However, there were slaves who also lived in the household with the child. In the Jewish hereditary system, the Jews established an age for the child to inherit that which the father left to the child. In the Roman hereditary system, the father determined when the child received the inheritance. Let’s explore!
Addendum:

In the Advanced Bible Study, Winter 2017-18, published by LifeWay, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0175, page 115, Dr. Bob Bunn wrote [Paul used a relatively simple example to illustrate this misunderstanding of our relationship with GOD. He pointed out that when we fail to embrace the full privilege of our standing in Christ – and allow the law, rather than grace, to dominate the relationship – we cannot live up to our full potential as Christ-followers. If we are trapped by the dictates of the law, we struggle to realize who we are made to become – full owners, rather than children living under the restrictions of a trustee. Paul noted as long as the heir is a child, he (she – my addition) differs in no way from a slave. Despite being the owner of everything, the heir gets to enjoy none of the benefits that go along with ownership because he is held in check by the power of the law.]

How many Christians remain in bondage by failing to take ownership of their inheritance GOD has given them through their faith in JESUS? Christians are under GOD’S Grace and are full citizens in the Kingdom of GOD but they choose to remain outside looking in. Father here I am, as I am and only YOU can help me to embrace the inheritance you have given to me. Help me to live as the child of the King of Heaven and earth. I am no longer under the authority of “guardians and trustees” who guide my life. My life is guided by the indwelling Holy Spirit because of the inheritance I received through faith in JESUS and being made the Son or Daughter of GOD through the miracle of rebirth. This does not mean that I will test YOU but obey YOU as YOU guide my life. Amen.

 

Let’s read Galatians 4:1-3:

1 Now I say that as long as the heir is a child, he differs in no way from a slave, though he is the owner of everything.

2 Instead, he is under guardians and stewards until the time set by his father.

3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were in slavery under the elemental forces of the world.

The Apostle Paul used the example of a wealthy family that has children and slaves to illustrate GOD’S love for all people upon earth. The child is GOD’S chosen people, the Jews, and the slaves are the Gentiles/non-Jews. The father is GOD and the father determines when the child will be declared of age to receive the inheritance. Until that time, chosen by the father, GOD, there is no difference between the child and the slave. They are both, the Jews and the Gentiles, under the influence of “elemental forces of the world.”

These “elemental forces” are the false gods, evil spirits, idols, even GOD’S law that became a substitute for worshiping GOD in Spirit and truth. GOD’S desire is for all people to worship HIM according to the Spirit of the Law rather than the letter of the Law.

Let’s read Galatians 4:4-5:

4 But when the completion of the time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

5 to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

When we study the Bible, we know that timing is vital to GOD’S purpose and plans. It is vital that we know that GOD makes history. The happenings upon earth are not random probability but orchestrated by GOD. GOD knew that all had been completed and it was time for GOD’S only Son to come to earth and be born 100% human.

GOD, Who is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent decided when HE would send HIS Only Son, JESUS, to earth to be born, 100% human, yet 100% GOD. GOD stated in Genesis 3:15 when Eve and Adam sinned:

15 I will put hostility between you (Satan) and the woman (Eve/the mother of all living), and between your seed and her seed. He (Satan) will strike your head, and you (Your offspring or the offspring of woman/Virgin Mary/JESUS) will strike his heel.

The “seed of woman” is the seed from which JESUS would be conceived and result in JESUS being 100% human came from the Virgin Mary. The Holy Spirit Who energized the “seed of woman” came from GOD, thus 100% Divine. JESUS left HIS Glory in Heaven to come to earth and to live as 100% human to be tempted in all ways as humans are tempted, yet without sin. The “seed of woman”/JESUS will crush the head of Satan but Satan will strike the heel of the “seed of woman”/JESUS. Striking the heel would not result in permanent death, whereas, crushing the head would be a fatal (permanent) blow to Satan.

JESUS would accomplish this when HE gave HIS physical life to pay, in full, the penalty for sin, which is eternal death, by the shedding of HIS blood. The permanent blow to Satan was when GOD resurrected JESUS from the physically dead to be eternally alive and gave HIM HIS Glorified body to prove that JESUS had conquered both sin and eternal death. GOD gave JESUS full authority to grant eternal life to everyone who will place his or her faith in JESUS.

The inheritance from GOD for all who place their faith in JESUS is eternal life through the miracle of rebirth. This takes place the instant a person places his or her faith in JESUS!  WOW!!! GOD LOVES ALL OF US!

As we read in verses 1-3, the Apostle Paul wrote about the “child and the slaves” living in the same household. He related the child to the Jews. But how would the slave/Gentile be included? It would be through adoption, thus all people are included in GOD’S plan for salvation Jew and Gentile through faith in JESUS.

Let’s read Galatians 4:6-7:

6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba, Father!"

7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

Faith in JESUS triggers an instant/permanent miracle of Spiritual birth in every person who places his or her faith in JESUS. The person, male or female, instantly becomes a Son or Daughter of GOD, thus the born-again person can approach GOD as HIS Son or Daughter calling GOD, “Abba, Father/Daddy!”

JESUS came to earth and established the Kingdom of GOD. All who place their faith in JESUS not only are born into GOD’S family but become citizens of the Kingdom of GOD. Christians  are ambassadors as written in 2 Corinthians 5:20:

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Yes, all Christians are the Children of GOD and chosen to obediently serve HIM. GOD gives to every Christian the Holy Spirit Who indwells him or her to guarantee the Christian that he or she is GOD’S child. Romans 8:14-16 captures this fact:

14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"

16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

Do you know that you are a child of GOD? If not, settle that matter now by asking JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your life believing that JESUS gave HIS life just for you. If you are not already in a Bible believing, teaching and believing church, then pray and ask GOD to lead you to where HE wants you to be fed Spiritually.

Blessings!!!