Sunday 12 February, 2017

4 Here is what I have been saying. As long as your own children are young, they are no different from slaves in your house. They are no different, even though they will own all the property. 2 People are in charge of the property. And other people are in charge of the children. The children remain under their care until they become adults. At that time their fathers give them the property. 3 It is the same with us. When we were children, we were slaves to the basic spiritual powers of the world. 4 But then the chosen time came. God sent his Son. A woman gave birth to him. He was born under the authority of the law. 5 He came to set free those who were under the authority of the law. He wanted us to be adopted as children with all the rights children have. 6 Because you are his children, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts. He is the Holy Spirit. By his power we call God Abba. Abba means Father. 7 So you aren’t a slave any longer. You are God’s child. Because you are his child, God gives you the rights of those who are his children.

Receiving an inheritance suddenly changes the possibilities in your life, it can set you free. And yet it is not something that happens from your own efforts but because of the graciousness of someone else. This passage in Galatians challenges me to consider my spiritual position. The truth is that Jesus’s death and resurrection -victory over sin and death – has placed us in position to receive an inheritance from God. But so often we behave as if we are still waiting for our inheritance – still slaves to the law. Legalism, fear and immaturity keep us trapped spiritually, limiting the possibilities in our lives and limiting our relationship with God. God has already been infinitely gracious towards us. We need to check our mindset and make sure we have stepped from thinking like a slave to seeing ourselves as God does – worthy of all He wants to give us.

I want to fully live the life God has given me, know Him as He intends I should, and experience all His relationship with me has to offer. I want to live in my spiritual inheritance, not as a slave. I want to walk today in the graciousness of God, free from all that would hold me back.

Father, thank you for all you have done for me, more than I can imagine. Help me to live in the freedom Jesus has bought for me. Help me to walk today in maturity and Grace. Help me to be gracious to others as you have been to me. I love you Lord. Amen

Written by Christine Knight