Scripture: Galatians 4:1-7
Speaker: Patrick Bowman
Heir, slave, guardian, trustee, elemental spiritual forces, redeem, Abba. Many of these words are seldom (if ever) used in everyday conversation, yet they all appear in Galatians 4:1-7. Here, the apostle Paul paints a bleak picture of life apart from Christ (slavery to the elemental spiritual forces), but also articulates the game changing love of God, who sends His Son to redeem us (thus paying the price to free us = justice) and to adopt us (thus changing our status from slave to child). This marvelous gift cannot be earned; it is “receive[d]” through faith (verse 5). On a day in which fathers are honored in the United States, I’m mindful that in our society and church, experiences with earthly fathers vary. I hope that you’ll tune in this Sunday to celebrate the greatest love from the greatest Father the world has ever known.
“So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir” (Gal 4.7)