Grace Awakening

HEIRS OF GOD. Our Spiritual Condition Before Adoption. Galatians 4:1-7 (New King James Version) 4 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born[a] 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[b] God through Christ. A New Creation The New Testament Greek word for “adoption” is Huiothesia. This is a compound of the root words for “son” and “a placing”. When the Bible uses “son” the term includes both male and female gender. The “son ship” for both male and female believers that the full inheritance from God is received by every person who is saved by faith in Jesus Christ. Roman Adoption Roman family the father absolute head and ruler. (He is the boss of his family) Roman legal adoption process was completed by ceremony of conveyance. What happens here is: All prior relationship or loyalties were severed. All former debts and obligation were cancelled or paid by the new family. The adopted person will be made an heir to the new father’s estate. The adopted son was also under the completed authority of his new father Has the right to discipline. Become accountable for the actions of the adopted son. Was considered the owner of all the adopted person’s possesions and life. Purpose of the Law. Paul forcefully argues that no one can be justified by the law(Gal 3:10-14,21,22.) Romans 3 :9-28. It is impossible for human to completely obey all the law. The Law can never save us or restore us to our place as sons of the Living God. We can never be Sons under the law. The Law had a purpose. The purpose was to reveal us to our sin and our need of a Savior Who could fulfill the requirements of the redeem us. Gal 3: 19-22 Paul then uses the Roman characteristics' of adoption to further show how God used the law. Scripture states that “before faith(salvation) came” we were “kept under guard” by the law and the “law was our tutor.” (Gal 3:23,24) Roman household practice. In Roman households it was common to have and adult steward or guardians who was responsible to discipline and care for the children. Thus Paul contrasts being “kept under guard” by a steward( the law) with our new position as sons upon our salvation. Galatians 3:26 New King James Version (NKJV) Sons and Heirs 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. NO more under the guardianship of the Law. The Greek word Paul used for son in Galatians 3:26 “ Huios.” Notice that it is the same root word for “adoption”( huios/thesia, son/placing) WHY DID PAUL USED THIS WORDS? Paul’s use of this word reveal to us that the moment we are born again we are no longer under the “guardianship” of the law.(Gal 3:25, Romans 7:6) Rather , we are placed by God’s sovereign action as full sons in God’s family. In other words at salvation God places us in the position of a matured son. Adoption: A Free Gift. Galatians 4:3 New King James Version (NKJV) 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. The word “elements” used by Paul has two meaning in the New Testament. It describes both the elementary principles of Old Testament law and the pagan religious practices of Gentiles.( see Galatians 4:8-11, Colossians 2: 16-23) Jewish law and Pagan religion. Jewish law and pagan religion expressions would seem to have little in common. However what they both did in practice was to try and replace true salvation by faith in Christ and the presence and power of the Holy Spirit with rituals, traditions and customs of men. (Gal 3:1-9) But neither the rituals of the law nor the practice of pagan religion could bring anyone salvation. WHAT HAPPENS IN SALVATION? Thus Paul was not saying that we only earn our spiritual son ship as we mature in Christ. Paul’s word is clear in its meaning. Instead, when we receive Christ as our Savior at salvation the “child” immediately becomes the son. We are place in a mature position in full relationship with the Father as a full heir. It is a free gift. This gift empowers us to fulfill god’s will and bring more glory to His name. Hallelujah! God’s Perfect Timing. Paul goes on in this passage to reveal God’s action in the flow of human history. Prior to the coming of Christ, one could only choose to serve either a false pagan religion or the Jewish Law. And neither could bring salvation or restore one to God. But at the right moment when the “fullness of time had come, God sent forth His son” so that the Son would fulfill the law(Matt 5:17,18) and make salvation by faith in Him possible. Fully Sons From the Moment of Salvation. The Roman Adoptions needs a witness. The same applies at Salvation the Holy Spirit becomes a witness for you. Galatians 4:6 New International Version (NIV) 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,[a] Father.” WHEN YOU ARE SON YOU RECEIVE EVERY BLESSINGS. John 17:21-23 New International Version (NIV) 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one — 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. NOW YOU ARE SONS OF GOD. Like the Roman Adoption : All prior relationship or loyalties were severed. No more going back to old habits. You are dead to sin but alive to God. Jesus lives in you. All former debts and obligations were cancelled. Jesus paid for your sins 2000 years back it is settled. You are sons to the Kingdom of God. N o more debts cancelled. The adopted person was made an heir to the father’s estate. This is Great News you are made an heir to your heavenly Father’s estate. The adopted person experienced a more full relationship with the adopting father . Learn more about our Loving Father and His Son Jesus Christ. The more you know Him your life will be transformed. Amen.