As Children of the Lord,

The Galatians have Paul concerned once again. Paul felt that they found true joy after hearing the gospel but yet it still seems like they have decided to turn away and return to their false gods and evil ways (v.15). We often as human beings have a sense of pride and we want to do what we want, we don't like feeling controlled or restricted, and therefore we try to break the "rules" that bound us. Instead, when we encounter and know God, we should have a desire to follow Him, and an urge out of a response of love. Its said simply in verse 9, "we know God, or rather [we] are known by God". Isn't that mind-blowing that we are known by God, the creator and Lord almighty knows us by name? If you know someone's name, and if you truly know someone, that relationships has been developed and has bloomed. Its more that just an acquaintance, but a friend. In God's eyes, we are his children.

⁷ So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. - Galatians 4:7

Since we belong to God, we are no longer a slave to sin. In the olden times, a son who was too young to receive their inheritance was basically a "slave". But God has adopted us into his family, after all those times we've failed him and have run away, he stands, waiting and watching for our return, for us to call him father and him to call us children. We are taken in as God's children out of grace, and not work.

Paul uses the example of Sarah and Hagar as his final argument if you will as he confronts the Galatians. Sarah and Hagar were the wives of Abraham who bore his sons. One son was born of flesh, out of worldly desires, where Sarah tried to control everything and have her way. Whereas the other son was born through promise, through God's word, this son fulfilled God's promise to Hagar. We cannot seek justification through our efforts, its is a gift granted from God.

We are God's children, graciously granted the gift of life and salvation with no cost, let us remain faithful and loving to Him because he loved and loves us first.

verse of the day: 1 John 4:7-8

⁷ Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸ Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.