Sons, Not Slaves

Galatians 4:8–11

Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? You observe days and months and seasons and years! I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.

If you were a slave and are now a son, if you did not know God but have now come to know Him and to be known by Him, how can you turn back again to the old slavery? How can you allow yourself to be enslaved by the very elemental spirits from whom Jesus Christ has rescued you?

Stott

Rightful Children

One of the greatest privileges for the born again Christian is to live in sonship over mere servanthood. The Almighty Father knows our tendencies all too well — left to our judgment, we would much rather enslave ourselves to the bondage of our works and worldly principles than to live simply in the liberty afforded by Christ.

But those who relegate themselves to mere servanthood shortchange themselves by settling for a works-relationship with God. Does it not occur to them that the all-cosmic, all-sovereign, all-sufficient God is in no lack of service, but instead desires simply our devotion and affection? Or that the Creating personality saw it necessary to go beyond atoning for our sin and into reconciling the relationship between us and the Heavenly Father?

Proper relationship was always God’s intention — that is, becoming His rightful children once again. Paul’s message carries poignant overtones of this notion: What is greater than knowing God? That we would be known by Him! There is no greater privilege, no higher honour, than to be known, understood, and accepted by the Most High of all creation!

Today, the Father desires still, and all the more, for His sons and daughters to come home to Him and to walk beside Him in love and obedience. May Jesus’ rescue of us from the slavery of world draw us to live in the fullness of sonship — beside this, there is no greater pleasure in the world!

Prayer

Dearest Heavenly Father,
You desire so much for me to know You — yet, You initiate a relationship with me by knowing me first. Your love extends beyond the heavens and is deeper than the oceans; You redeem this dirty sinner from his chains and wash me clean by the blood of Christ. How can I not be eternally grateful, O God? Forgive me for forgetting the kind of grace that I have been shown yet do not deserve!

Lord, I desire to come to You and to be in Your presence. Fill me with awe and wonder for You and the things of You, O God. Make my heart a dwelling place for Your spirit, for You have made a son out of me by Your graciousness alone. In You alone, I find all blessedness. Amen.