The Book Of Galatians – Chapter 4:6-7 Message 12 – The Greatness And Wonder Of Being Made Adopted Sons And Heirs In Christ - Part 1 Series

THE BOOK OF GALATIANS – CHAPTER 4:6-7 MESSAGE 12 – THE GREATNESS AND WONDER OF BEING MADE ADOPTED SONS AND HEIRS IN CHRIST - PART 1

[A]. SOME REVISION

In the last message we looked at Galatians 4:5 in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”}} and this verse concentrates on redemption and adoption. Redemption is a wonderful thing because like grace, we did not deserve it. We only brushed across it and today we will look a bit more into it before we proceed with verse 8. There is a verse in Ephesians I like and it is this – {{Ephesians 4:30 “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God by whom you were SEALED FOR THE DAY OF REDEMPTION.”}}

We have “the day of redemption” and that is a bit like what some call “the three tenses of salvation.” When we receive Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour, we are saved (have been saved) from the wrath of sin, and from all the PENALTY of sin; in this life we are being saved through the blood of Christ from the POWER of sin; but when we are in the Lord’s presence we will be saved from the PRESENCE of sin forever.

The day of redemption is that time when our redemption will be realised. When we were saved we were redeemed. In this life we walk as redeemed people, but in the presence of Jesus at the day of redemption, we will know in full, our redemption as we are in the presence of the Redeemer.

Getting back to where we left off we were at verses 6 and 7 –

{{Galatians 4:6 Because you are SONS, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts crying, “Abba! Father!”

Galatians 4:7 Therefore you are NO LONGER A SLAVE, BUT A SON, AND IF A SON, then AN HEIR through God.}}

The children have passed from slave, through sonship to being an heir, actually a joint heir with Christ and that is so magnificent that we just can not contemplate that truth while we are earth-bound. No more a slave to sin but a royal son of the King of Kings, and the Holy Spirit who possesses all who belong to Christ, allows us to say, Abba, a simple childlike expression of love.

{{Galatians 4:7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.}} If we remember, sonship belonged to the Jews as did heirship. Israel was in a covenant relationship through Abraham and later on the Law was added. We mentioned last time that blessings have come to the Gentiles through Israel’s fall. The truth of that is reinforced by Paul again in Ephesians in these verses – {{Ephesians 2:11-13 Therefore remember, that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands - remember that you were at that time SEPARATE FROM CHRIST, EXCLUDED FROM THE COMMONWEALTH OF ISRAEL, and STRANGERS TO THE COVENANTS OF PROMISE, having no hope and without God in the world, but now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST.”}}

That moves us to the next section which is being an heir, and that means an inheritance. That is where we want to go today.

[B]. SONS, HEIRS, AND INHERITANCE

I have stated once before that there is a great parallel between Romans and Galatians. I think Paul was composing the ideas at the same time. We are now going to look at many scriptures.

(1). SONS & ADOPTION

(a). {{Romans 8:14-17 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are SONS OF GOD. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of ADOPTION AS SONS by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are CHILDREN OF GOD, and if children, HEIRS ALSO, HEIRS OF GOD and FELLOW HEIRS with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.”}}

Take note of the capitalised (upper case) words to see the link with our Galatians verses. There is so much contained there. I would suggest that it does not profit much by reading through the verses and then moving on. Meditation is a necessary, an often-used word in the Psalms. Take up each word and group and really meditate on what God has done for you, what He has made you. There is no rush. Wait before the Lord and He will give you the delights of His word.