SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF THE FATHER Galatians 4

 SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF GOD THE FATHER

Gal 4:1-7

THE TEXT

1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: 4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 

7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. 

This life on earth is a training ground to get us to the place where God has

Predestined us. We are born in this world, trained in this world for a heavenly destination. We are predestined to be sons and daughters of the most High God. 

We were born in this world to parents who trained us along with grandparents, relatives and teachers to bring us to maturity to stand on our own, 

Paul lays out our position  as a servant even though a heirs, our tutoring and our maturity to perform as heir. Initially we are in no position to take

On the responsibility of heirship, but after maturity during time set by

The Father we become active heirs. The time of maturity is set by the Father in Heaven

The process of taking on the responsibility of heir involves three things. Knowledge, 

Education 

Self discipline 

The world is a training ground where we gain knowledge, experience, through trials, tribulations and successes. We meet the right people and

The wrong people and learn to distinguish between the two. We are faced with decisions that have to be made daily. Paul used as an example the Jewish family.

In the ancient Jewish life the oldest son was the heir to the family assets. After the father died the oldest son became heir. During his childhood

He was under a tutor and had had the rights of a slave. At the time of

Maturity set by the father the oldest son took possession of the family 

Assets (see the story Esau and Jacob).

When we accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior every believer becomes an

Heir to the earth resources and the Kingdom of Heaven. We were born in sin and shaped in iniquity  therefore a transformation has to take place to become an heir.  The transformation is a life long event.

KNOWLEDGE

The transformation begins with knowledge of God. Some where in our lives we were introduced to God, through parents, friends , relatives, teachers in the church and preachers. Today it is common to be exposed to God through the social media. We can only know God through the study of the Word for ourselves. One we accepted Christ we given the indwelling of the Holy Spirit whose job is guide our understanding to the Word. 

It is very important to know the Word because the devil is waiting to destroy you.

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.

In the Garden of Eden, Eve had been taught the Word, but was easily deceived by the devil. The devil knows the Word because he was present

When the Word was revealed to all the writers of the Bible. Before the creation of the earth the angels were already created and the devil had been judged.

Job 38:6 Whereupon were the foundations thereof fastened? Or who laid the corner-stone thereof, 7 When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?

We were placed in this world to learn the duties God predestined us for.

We are here to observe the glory of God that blesses us each day,

The sun, the trees, the plants, and birds and animals. At night we observe the moon stars to numerous to count. The natural man see but never understand their creation. Believers have no doubt that God is creator and all is His glory. 

The world is a teacher in trials and circumstances. Faith develops by what we cannot accomplish unless we relay on the God’s divine help. Hope in the Lord is developed through the disappointments we face. We learn that love requires a sacrifice as seen in Jesus on the cross. To grow in the Lord and receives the promised benefits we must submit the divide guidance of the Holy Spirit. Finally we lean patience in trials as we trust God to handle

With our problems

EDUCATION

Education is derived from the word educe which means to draw out . It is the job of the teacher to draw out that which God has placed in him. When Jesus selected His twelve disciples He had allowed their character to develop through the hard work of the trades assigned to them. They developed confidence in their abilities amidst the trials and disappointment of their trades. They were devoted to their jobs working with and providing for their families. Walking with Jesus was their education in the Word of God. The trained love,compassion, and service. They were rebuked to 

Bring them in line with God’s will.

So it is with us to day as heirs to the kingdom of God is a period of 

Immaturity where we grow to maturity in the Lord by the study of the Word of God. We get to Know God personally by the circumstance He puts in our lives

DISCIPLINE 

We learn to be disciplined through the error of our ways. Discipline is another word for God’s love,

Job 36:10 He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity. 11 If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures. 12 But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.

Putting the knowledge of the Word of God in action requires a discipline 

Attitude.  Jesus said if you love me, keep my commandments. We were placed here to from Godly habits 

Rom 8:29 For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained (to be) conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren:

We are heirs of God but will not be complete until Jesus return for His Church. 

James 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren; did not God choose them that are poor as to the world (to be) rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him?

To the Jews the law was the tutor. The heirs were a slave to the law. Now

The Jesus as come we have no need for a tutor but the grace and mercy of God