An inheritance is something that is usually given to you when someone dies. In many cases, it will be from someone you did something for. Maybe you showed them kindness and met their needs physically when no one else would. Most of the time, an inheritance comes from a loved one, and the majority of those are from parents. You may inherit a sum of money, or you may inherit a debt they did not pay. Either way, it is now yours.
You may become a child by birth or by adoption. Recently, a friend adopted three children. It was a long process that was dragged out over five years. At times, it was terrifying to think it might not go through and they would lose the children. These times were very stressful and laboring. However, this week, they finally received the final papers and birth certificates, which were changed to their new last name. It was a time of celebration! It was a time of relief when the parents could finally say they were theirs. This same week, there was a birth in the extended family, and great rejoicing ensued again. All four children, the three adopted and the one that entered the family through birth were joyously welcomed into the family. Each of these children will one day have an inheritance from their parents.
In Galatians chapter 4:1, a child who is still a baby has no control over his inheritance. Until he comes of age, someone else must manage it for Him. This is no different in our world today. As a child, the rights and privileges he has are no different than those of a slave. Paul demonstrates to them that a relationship with God under the law is like a child bound to obey the rules. He cannot make his own decisions. Before we are saved, we are like the Galatians. We were a slave to the “elements of this world.”
However, when we accept Jesus as our personal Savior, we will stand before God, not as a slave or a young child, but as an adult, and we will receive the inheritance our Father has prepared for us. In verses 4-7, we see what God did to bring about our salvation. He gave His Son to die for our sins. He paid the price to redeem us to God, to free us from the bondage of sin, and to make us an heir. We are adopted into the family of God. We are daughters and sons of the Almighty.
Galatians 4:1-5 “Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. Even so, we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”
In verses 6-7, we understand that because God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, we can have an intimate relationship with the Father. In verse 6 and Romans 8:15, we can cry out to the Father and call Him Abba Father. This is a name for the Father that only a son or daughter could use. A slave, though he may be owned by the Father, cannot use the name “Abba” in reference to the Father. We have been adopted with full privileges of any child. We have an inheritance from God through Christ. When we become a child of God, there is rejoicing in Heaven, just like we rejoiced here when those three children I mentioned earlier were adopted. We are no longer a servant but a child. Paul says in Romans 8:17 we are heirs with God and joint-heirs with Christ. We have a great inheritance that cannot be matched with anything here on this earth. In I Corinthians 2:9, Paul says, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” We can’t even imagine how great our inheritance would be if we tried from now until eternity. That is how much He loves us.
Let us seek to live the life worthy of so great a Father. Let us live the selfless life of a servant to the one who made us a child.
Galatians 4:6-7 “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”
Romans 8:15 “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”
Romans 8:17 “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
