July 10, 2013 You Are An Heir

Read Galatians 4 You Are an Heir Gal 4:1-7 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. WHAT enslaves you? Is it a feeling life “just happens” and God just stands by to watch? Does fear wrap you up and keep you from living into new and wonderful opportunities God has planned for you? Are you imprisoned in the regularity of your religion, always about “doing church” but seldom about “experiencing God”. Does life’s busyness seclude you from rest and good health? Are you a slave to too little faith? Paul’s words here are to encourage the Galatians they are no longer slaves to fate, false gods, false religion, fears and false teachings. Paul tells them of God’s wonderful, purposeful plan to bring Jesus into the world to free them, to welcome them as heirs of the kingdom of God! In Jesus, you are an heir, too. Whatever enslaves you, give it to God, and you will be a child of Abba, Father. All he has planned for you will be for you. It’s True! God created you to be his own.