GALATIANS 4:1-7
FAITH LEADS TO MATURITY
[Romans 8:15-17]
One of the tragedies of legalism is that it gives the appearance of maturity when, in reality, it leads the believer away from a spiritual dependance upon God. The Galatian Christians, like most believers, wanted to grow and go forward for Christ; but they were going about it in the wrong way. Their experience is not too different from that of Christians today who get involved in legalism, hoping to become better Christians. Their motives may be right, but their methods are wrong.
This is the truth Paul is trying to get across to his beloved converts in Galatia. The Judaizers had bewitched them into thinking that the Law would make them better Christians. Their old nature felt an attraction for the Law because the Law gave them direction and measured external results. As they measured themselves and their achievements, they felt a sense of accomplishment, and, no doubt, a little bit of pride. They continued serving the law thinking they were going forward when actually they were backsliden.
Such people are in a situation similar to the airplane passengers who heard their pilot announce: "Our navigator has lost our position, folks, and we have been flying rather aimlessly for over an hour. That’s the bad news. But the good news is the we are making very good time."
Relying on external law is the bondage of slavery. Jesus redeemed us from the law and made us heirs of God (CIT). The Christian does not need to wait to enjoy the riches of Christ. If he is a son then he is an heir.
I. SUPERVISED CHILDREN, 1-2.
II. ADOPTED HEIRS, 3-5.
III. THE CRY OF SONS, 6-7.
In verses one and two Paul uses a legal analogy to illustrate the difference between living under the Law verses living under Christ. 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,
The illustration is that of a wealthy estate whose heir is still a minor. No matter how wealthy a young father might be if he dies his minor children will have to wait for their inheritance until they are of age. Though this child is the legal heir and accordingly the owner of everything, yet with respect to taking possession of and exercising control over the estate that has been left to him, he is no better off than a slave.
The reason for his inferior position is because he is under the guardianship of a minor as verse 2 states. but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father.
Until the child attains to the age stipulated by the father he is heir by right (de jure) but not yet in fact (de facto). For the interim the child as stipulated by his father’ testament is under guardians, over whom his care has been entrusted. The heir’s estate was under the stewards or managers (often slaves) to whom the supervision of his estate has been entrusted (Lk.12:42; 16:1ff; Rom. 10:23). [Roman law (tutela impuberis) provided for the child to be under a guardian or tutor appointed by the father until he was fourteen. The estate was under a steward appointed by the state until he was 25.] The point is that the heir did not receive his full inheritance until the authority of these guardians ended.
II. ADOPTED HEIRS, 3-5.
Though usually not realized, all men are born slaves and held in bondage by the forces or understandings of this fallen world. Men often turn to religion to find basic help in rebuilding their life, but religion can lead people into further bondage instead of an encounter with God. Verse 3, So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world.
The elemental principles of the world are the beginning or basic stages of anything. [Stoichos means a beginning row, line, or a series of things in the forming of the universe or in actions. It can also mean low in rank, basic elements or inherent components. -Logenecker, Word Biblical Com, 165] Even basic religious practices whether in the Jewish or pagan religions hold people in bondage. [Jewish religious leaders had added their multiple rules and regulations to those received by Moses just as other religions formed theirs.] People sought redemption in these building blocks, or first principles be they in nature or religion.
It was like learning the ABC’s and stopping there. When Christ came the full revelation of God’s principles and teaching came but legalism’s rejection forced its adherence back into the supervision designed for the immature stages of childhood where guardians were required. The law was preparatory just like learning the rudimentary or basic functions of the alphabet are preparatory to learning to read and write. Sticking with legalism was like continuing to recite the ABC’s when with the coming of Christ an abundant life was made available to them. Legalists are children in bondage, not sons joying their inheritance. They are immature and ignorant, not mature and wise.
The timing of Christ’s coming was part of the eternal purpose and plan of God as verse 4 indicates. But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law.
Why is being on time so challenging for some of us? Even when we start, early, something inevitably gets in our way to make us late. But the good news is that God is always on time!
The arrival of Jesus, the long-awaited promised Messiah, was at just the right time. The fullness of time refers to God bringing the World into ripeness or readiness to receive His Son. It was perfect timing. Religious bankruptcy and spiritual hunger were everywhere. The Roman Empire helped prepare the way. Roads connected city with city. A network of global trade routes provided open access to the whole world. Roman peace (Pax Roniana) was enforced by its soldiers. The commercial languages of Greek and Latin were known throughout the Empire. Jewish Synagogues were scattered all through the realm. All of this guaranteed that the gospel could move rapidly. No visas. No impenetrable borders. Only unhindered access to help spread the news of the Savior. In God’s perfect timing, He had prepared the way for His Son!
At this time in history God sent forth His Son whose crucifixion fulfilled the prophecy of the Lamb who would be slain for the sins of the world (Isa. 53). For centuries through the tutor of the Law God had prepared His people. For centuries through the futility of man’s religions God had prepared the world. The Jews were expecting the Messiah and the world was in desperate need of a Savior and God took the initiative and sent His Son.
All of this should remind us that the Lord knows what time is best for us as well. If you’re waiting for answered prayer or the fulfillment of one of His promises, don’t give up. If you think He has forgotten you, think again. When the time is right He will answer. Trust His judgement and believe that He has your best interests in mind. God’s timing is always the right time.
The text carefully points out the two natures of Jesus Christ. He is both God and Man. Christ, the Son of God, was born of woman. Like any other human being born of the seed of woman He suffered affliction, pain, and trouble. He was tempted in every respect as all men are yet was without sin (Heb. 4:15). He was human because it was man who sinned and man must bear the penalty for sin. He surrender His life to God in perfect obedience in our behalf. (Rom. 5:11; 1 Cor. 15:21; Heb. 2:14-17). Jesus is both God and man - the God/Man.
Christ was born under the Law. He was bound to keep the law and fulfill it perfectly so that He might bear the law’s penalty and satisfy its demands of perfect obedience. He did so in our place because we could not, IN HIM and Him alone we have met the just demands of the Law.
Verse five records two purposes for Jesus’ coming. "So that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons."
The first purpose of Christ’s coming and being born under the law is so that He might redeem those under the law. The verb translated redeem comes from the word marketplace (agora) The compound verb means "to buy out of the marketplace." This implies a price of redemption from slavery or indebtedness. This redemption price was paid to God as satisfaction for breaking His Law . Jesus satisfied the Law’s demands by His sinless life and perfect obedience. By meeting those demands He proved God just in demanding them. He was then made sin on our behalf as He died on the cross so that we might inherit God’s righteousness through faith in Him (2 Cor. 5:21).
The other purpose of the incarnation is that we might receive the adoption of sons. The Father sent His Son not only that we might be delivered from the greatest evil but so that we might also be crowned with the choicest blessing. We are made members of "the Father’s Family" through adoption as Sons. We are born again into a new family with new relationships. We received all the privileges of naturally born sons. This adoption bestows upon us a new name, a new legal standing, a new family, a new relationship, a new inheritance, and a new image, the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29). Through Jesus’ poverty we have become rich (2 Cor. 8:9). To go back to the law is to undo the very work of Christ on the cross. He did not purchase us to make us slaves of His laws but Sons of His grace! (Rom. 8:15).
As a ragged LITTLE ORPHAN newspaper boy walked down a city street he passed by a beautiful mansion. The lawn was neatly kept, the house impressive, the driveway inviting. The lad wandered up the driveway and before he fully realized what he was doing, he rang the doorbell. Mr. Lowery, the owner of the spacious home, opened the door and looked down upon the frightened, surprised boy.
Not knowing what to say, the ragged newsboy blurted out, "Mister, do you have a little boy?"
Mr. Lowery, most amused, answered kindly. "No, son, Mrs. Lowery and I do not have any children."
The youngster replied in eagerness, "Oh, I’d give everything I own if I could be your little boy and run and play on this beautiful lawn."
Then in one of those unusual providences of life, Mr. Lowery turned and called his wife. The elegant woman walked down the expansive stairway in the hall and stood by the side of her husband as he asked, "Dear, would you like to have a little boy?"
She quickly replied, "Oh, yes!"
The tall man turned to the little lad and said, "Son, come in, come in," As the boy walked into that palatial home, he kept his promise. He reached in his pocket and pulled out thirteen cents and offered the pennies to the big man, saying, "Sir, this is all that I have,"
We are just like that when we offer to God what little we have to buy our salvation. But the big man took the boy’s hand, closed it around his thirteen pennies, and said, "Son, you keep them, for I have more than enough for us both." Then he took the lad into his house and adopted him.
That is exactly what God has done for us! We were urchins, poor and outcast, but God has bestowed upon us the privileges of sonship. He adopted us into the family of heaven, and we are heirs and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ our elder brother.
III. THE CRY OF SONS (6-7).
Not only do we have a new standing but a new depth of relationship as verse 6 brings out. "Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba! Father!"
The Holy Spirit in the heart of the believer shows his acceptance with God as a son and heir (Rom. 8:15). The presence of the Spirit is the evidence of sonship.
Have you read the words "ABBA, FATHER" and wondered what Abba means? It is the word a child in the Aramaic-speaking world of Jesus’ day, would use to call his father. It indicates childlike affection and trust. Translated into the language of our day, it would be like saying "Papa" or "Daddy." Adding "Father" to the phrase expresses the family or relational understanding. The two together express the love and depth of intimate relationship of the father and child (Mk. 14:36).
When Charis and Cassia were small, I would sometimes seek the quiet and seclusion of my study, which was in our home. It was understood that when I closed the door for Bible study and prayer, no telephone calls or visitors should be allowed to interrupt me. But when I would hear little footsteps, a tiny peck on the door, and a small voice whispering "Daddy,"what do you think I did? Ignore it? Oh, no! I would spring from my chair, open the door, enfold that little girl in my arms and say, "What do you want, honey?" I loved being called Daddy."
We can be sure that God, like earthly fathers, loves to hear the call of His children. Therefore, the one who has put his faith in Jesus Christ can turn heavenward and ask for the help of the heavenly Father at any time. What a great privilege! To know that His ear is open to our cry and that His heart is moved with concern toward His children gives us constant assurance. With loving trust and confidence we can say, "Abba, Father."
Verse 7 reaches the conclusion that those who have received the Spirit are now sons and heirs of God. Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.
I have never visited royalty or attended a presidential inaugural ball. My name has never appeared on the guest list for an entertainment awards ceremony either.
The point is, I have always considered myself to be an average person who enjoys his family and has to work to make ends meet. I did not consider myself to be special.
After becoming a Christian, it began to dawn upon me how very special I’ve become. I am a Child of God. That means I am an heir to heaven. I have a daily audience with the King of kings. One day I will feast with Jesus and sit at His table. In God’s eyes I have a new standing. I am a son of God, and an heir of heaven. This is far far better than being an heir to any earthly fortune, for God’s kingdom will last forever.
What I need to do now is see myself, not as people see me, but as my Maker sees me. I need to begin to grasp my heavenly inheritance that God has given me in Christ, and so do you.
A Michigan factory worker, earning. less than ten thousand dollars a year, was an unknowing heir to a half million dollars. When located by an investigator some years after his benefactor’s death, the worker explained that he had neither returned. home nor kept in touch with his family for 24 years. The investigator who located him estimates there is about 40 billion dollars in inheritances lying unclaimed in this country alone.
Are you as a Christian unaware of your status as "an heir of God through Christ"? Do you fail to receive the gifts our Father offers-release from the stranglehold of sin and suffocation of guilt, power in the Holy Spirit to experience the abundant life, and the joy of fellowship with the. Father and his other children?
Like the prodigal factory worker, do you live in ignorance of your inheritance and at a spiritual poverty level because you have moved away and fail to keep in touch with our Father or his family? My inheritance was provided at great cost. To leave it unclaimed is to ignore the love that prompted those freely given gifts.
I pray we will recognize the enormous assets our heavenly Father has deposited in Christ for us.
There is an ancient story about a man named Astyages who determined to do away with a royal infant by the name of CYRUS. He summoned an officer of his court and told him to kill the baby prince. The officer in turn delivered the youngster to a herdsman with instructions that he should take him high up into the mountains where the baby would die from exposure.
The herdsman and his wife, however, took the child and raised him as their own. Growing up in the home of those humble slaves, he naturally thought he was a peasant, so he lived like one.
Many Christians fail to realize all that is theirs in Christ. They live as spiritual peasants when they should be living royally. Believers "are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus" (3:26). We are no longer slaves but sons, heirs of God through Christ.
God has given us everything we need to live victorious, fulfilling lives. Learn who you are. A Child of the King shouldn’t live like a slave of the world.
CONCLUSION
To recognize God as Lord is to acknowledge that He is sovereign and supreme in the universe. To accept Him as Savior is to accept His gift of salvation offered on the cross. To regard Him as a Father is to go a step further. A father is the one in your life who provides and protects. That is exactly what God has done.
He has provided for your needs. He has protected you from harm. He has adopted you. And He has given you His name [and wants you to lay hold of the spiritual treasures promised to you in Christ].
God has proven Himself as a faithful father. Begin to experience your inheritance. Trust God to give you what your family doesn’t. Let Him fill the void others have left. Rely upon Him for your affirmation and encouragement. Meditate upon the words of Galatians 4:7. "You are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God." [Max Lucado, He Still Moves Stones]
Living in Christ we move from immaturity into maturity. So that we might truly become owners of all our blessed inheritance in Christ.
