Being an Heir of God - Galatians 4:1-7

Being an heir of something today doesn’t seem to have as great of an impact as it used to. My kids are my heirs and will inherit…something…after my wife and I are gone. They may not inherit much. My main hope is that they inherit a passion for Christ through our example as parents. Hopefully, the example we set as parents is a witness of Christ.

Galatians 4:1-7
¹ I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, ² but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. ³ In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. ⁴ But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. ⁶ And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” ⁷ So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
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What is an heir? By definition, it is someone who receives something or inherits something from their parents or predecessor. It can also mean someone that is entitled to receive something or entitled to a rank or title. However, the heir is protected and managed by those above them until they are ready to step independently into the world.  

In Jewish tradition, a child becomes an adult at a certain age. The Romans declared a child an adult when the parent deemed the child was ready. We, too, can become an adult because God deemed us ready by providing us the inheritance of eternal life because we are the children of God. Rightful heirs by His grace. It is only through God’s grace and love that we become capable of becoming independent adults and inheriting God’s kingdom. 

Paul tells us that when the time was right, God sent His Son to become our Savior. Christ was born as a man, a human, from a woman. God used His Son in human form to live and walk among us. To remain perfect despite the fallen and sinful human nature. Jesus came to earth to redeem us from our slavery to sin. Because of this, we are called sons of God and heirs. As a slave to sin, God not only paid for our ransom, but He adopted us as His very own. 

The best part of all is that since we are sons and children of God, we have the Holy Spirit living in us, in our hearts. God isn’t just a father figure in our lives. He isn’t just the head of the house. God wants that intimate relationship and wants to be close to us. When my daughters see me when I get home from work, they usually come and hug me and say, “Daddy.” I am their father who loves them, and they call me “Daddy.” It is an expression of an intimate relationship between us. Paul says that we will call God “Abba, Father.” Abba is the Hebrew word for “Daddy.” God desires for us to have a close, intimate, and personal relationship with Him. He is waiting; arms stretched wide, ready for us to run to Him and call Him “Daddy.” We are no longer slaves but are free to run to Him. There are no longer any barriers between Him and us, except for our hearts. Allow yourself to seek the face of God and let the Holy Spirit consume your heart, and then approach your Abba with humility and love. He is waiting to guide us and gift us His inheritance for us as heirs.