The Gift of Adoption {Galatians 4}

By Lisa Moore

In the previous chapter Paul explains that as believers we are all one in Christ and heirs to God's promises. In this chapter Paul expands on what it means to be an heir, and the liberty we as believers have in Jesus.

He begins by saying, "Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father." (vs. 1-2) In ancient Roman times, there was no specific age when a son became a man and was entitled to the legal rights as an heir. Usually it was the father who decided when the son was ready. Until then, even though he was destined to inherit everything, the son didn't have the freedom or even the authority of a high ranking slave. Paul says that we too were like children under control of the "elements of the world", meaning bound by the Law. We were waiting for God's perfect timing to set us free.

"But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law" (v. 4) Throughout their many trials and tribulations, Israel prayed and pleaded with God to send the promised Messiah. But God waited until the time was right for the world to receive His Son.This time came after Rome had conquered much of the known world creating extensive "highways" which connected the nations. This allowed travel by both land and sea permitting early Christians to spread the Gospel far and wide. Also "Alexander the Great", a Greek ruler, spread the Greek culture throughout the lands creating a common language.This meant missionaries were able to communicate the message of the Gospel to many different groups of people. And so determining the ripeness of the season, God sent Jesus, "So that He might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons." (v. 5) 

Jesus came to be our perfect substitute. He came to take our place; paying our sin debt allowing us to be redeemed to the Father. Because of His sacrifice, we are not only forgiven of our sins, freed from the burden of the Law, we are also adopted as sons and daughters into God's heavenly family forever. Imagine that! Such indescribable grace and mercy. For as John says in 1 John 3:1, "See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we would be called children of God.." No longer called slaves, but rather "heirs through God".

But it gets even better. In one of my favorite verses Paul says, "Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying 'Abba! Father!" (v. 6) Abba is an Aramaic term which closely translated means Daddy. God wants to be our Abba. He wants a close personal relationship with us, so He sends His Spirit to indwell us. "God sends His Spirit to show us what it means to be His children, to bless us with His great love, to reveal His purpose for creating us, and to empower us for all the great plans He has for our lives" (Dr. Charles Stanley) 

What a privilege to be able to call God our Abba! To be able to cry out to Him in our times of need. To have an eternal and secure relationship with Him. As sinners, on our own we can never be worthy of being in His family.  But because of the work of Christ, not only does God accept us, He calls us His own. Our adoption is the act of God's pure goodness and grace of His will to the praise of His glory. And I gift I am forever thankful for.