Galatians 4: Son of God

Read Galatians 4:1-31

Outline:
4:1-7 Sonship of heirs and children through adoption in God’s redemption
4:8-20 Paul’s discernment and pastoral heart for the Galatians Christians
4:21-31 Paul’s allegory for sonship from two sons (Hagar’s and Sarah’s)

Once we were enemies of God, now in Christ we are children and heirs of God by faith in Jesus Christ through adoption. Adoption in Christ is the whole premises of Paul’s instructions along with justification by faith alone in Galatians.  And, if our sonship in Christ through faith in Jesus Christ alone, why should we enslave ourselves with an additional requirement to our salvation?

Dr. J. I. Packer from Regent College penned it way better about our adoption in his book, Knowing God:

…Adoption is a family idea, conceived in terms of love, and viewing God as father.  In adoption, God takes us into his family and fellowship - he establishes us as his children and heirs. Closeness, affection and generosity are at the heart of the relationship. To be right with God the Judge is a great thing, but to be loved and cared for God the Father is a greater. (pg. 207)

Now, read and reflect on following questions Dr. Packer raised relating to our sonship in Christ from Knowing God:

Do I understand my adoption? Do I value it? Do I daily remind myself of my privilege as a child of God?

Have I sought full assurance of my adoption? Do I daily dwell on the love of God to me?
Do I treat God as my Father in heaven, loving, honoring and obeying him, seeking and welcoming his fellowship, and trying in everything to please him, as a human parent would want his child to do?

Do I think of Jesus Christ, my Savior and my Lord, as my brother too, bearing to me not only a divine authority but also a divine-human sympathy? Do I think daily how close he is to me, how completely he understands me, and how much, as my kinsman-redeemer, he cares for me?
Have I learned to hate the things that displease my Father? Am I sensitive to the evil things to which he is sensitive? Do I make a point of avoiding them, lest I grieve him?

Do I look forward daily to that great family occasion when the children of God will finally gather in heaven before the throne of God, their Father, and of the Lamb, their brother and their Lord? Have I felt the thrill of this hope?

Do I love my Christian brothers and sisters with whom I live day by day, in a way that I shall not be ashamed of when in heaven I think back over it?

Am I proud of my Father, and of his family, to which by his grace I belong?
Does the family likeness appear in me? If not, why not?

God humble us; God instruct us; God make us his own true children. (pg. 229) 

Son of God by Starfield

Son of God, Shaper of the stars
You alone, The dweller of my heart
Mighty King, How beautiful You are 
How beautiful

Son of God, The Father’s gift to us
You alone were broken on the altar of love
Precious Lamb, Our freedom’s in Your blood 
It’s in your blood

Jesus, O Holy One, I sing to You, Forgiven
Savior, I’m overcome With Your great love for me

Son of God, Strength beyond compare
You alone, The darkness cannot bear
Lord of love, Your kindness draws me near 
It draws me

Son of God, Prophecy of old
You alone, Redeemer of my soul
Come again And lead your people home 
Come lead us home

You are worthy, You are worthy 
You are worthy of all my praise
You are beautiful, You are beautiful
I will lift up my hands and sing

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