Read
26All of you are God's children because of your faith in Christ Jesus. 27And when you were baptized, it was as though you had put on Christ in the same way you put on new clothes. 28Faith in Christ Jesus is what makes each of you equal with each other, whether you are a Jew or a Greek, a slave or a free person, a man or a woman. 29 So if you belong to Christ, you are now part of Abraham's family, and you will be given what God has promised.
1Children who are under age are no better off than slaves, even though everything their parents own will someday be theirs. 2This is because children are placed in the care of guardians and teachers until the time their parents have set. 3This is how it was with us. We were like children ruled by the powers of this world.
4But when the time was right, God sent his Son, and a woman gave birth to him. His Son obeyed the Law, 5 so he could set us free from the Law, and we could become God's children. 6 Now that we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts. And his Spirit tells us that God is our Father. 7You are no longer slaves. You are God's children, and you will be given what he has promised.
Reflect
I was adopted into the family of God in the last week of November, 1979. It was phenomenal. By faith, I confessed my sin and asked Christ to be my Lord and Saviour.
It still leaves me in awe. I was a child of the world, then God adopted me as his son. Now, like millions of other adopted children, from every tribe and tongue and people, I have a new life, a large family, a secure future, and a Father who ceaselessly loves and nurtures me.
Galatians mentions some of the many tremendous privileges that come with adoption:
- All that Christ has is ours because we wear the life of Christ as full-fledged sons and daughters (3:27).
- We are all equally privileged. There is no racial (3:28a), economic (3:28b), social (3:28c), religious or cultural prejudice (Colossians 3:11) in God’s family.
- We receive God’s promised justification—that is, acquittal of all guilt and forgiveness of all sin (3:29).
- We are set free—liberated from the burden and restrictions of law-keeping (4:1-5).
- We know God intimately as our own Father, bear his name, have his Spirit within us, and can call out to him at any time of the day or night about anything that’s on our hearts or minds (4:6).
- We inherit everything that God has promised to give us, both in this life and in eternity (4:7).
Isn’t that tremendous? Do you realize how special it is to be adopted into God’s family? If you’re not adopted, why don’t you ask him today? Believe me, it will be the best thing you’ll ever do.
Respond
Lord, thank you for adopting me into your family. What a privilege. You have set me free to enjoy the wonderful inheritance and benefits found in knowing you. Thank you! Amen.
Lawson Murray
Lawson is the President of Scripture Union Canada and the Managing Editor of theStory™. Lawson takes every opportunity to enthusiastically invite people of all ages to connect with Jesus and His Story. He says, “We have been given the greatest story ever - God's Story! Should we not, with all our might and energy immerse ourselves in it? I believe we should. For without the Story we really have nothing to offer the millions who hunger and thirst for something more. But, with God’s Story we have what everyone needs!” Publications: Bible Engagement Blog; Children’s Ministry Basics Blog, Bible Engagement Basics; Bible Beginners