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.
Galatians 4:4-5
“From Slavery to Sonship: Embracing the Gift of Adoption”
by Jamie Harrison
Wow! What a Story! Jesus gave up all the glory of heaven to come to earth for you and me!
He came at exactly the right time according to Galatians 4:4. The Roman Empire ruled most of the world, and people were ready for someone to save them from their oppression. Some estimate the number of slaves during this period was upwards of 70 million. Can you imagine living under an oppressive government who might enslave you at any moment? Can you imagine a life that devoid of hope?
Enter Jesus.
Jesus came to “redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons (Galatians 4:5). Take a minute and think about the hope found in this verse for so many during that period. Now, take a moment and think about how this provides hope for you and me. Jesus came to make us sons and daughters of God Almighty!
“And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba, Father!’ So, you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then God has made you an heir.” (Galatians 4:6-7)
This was good news then, and it is good news now!
The fact is, we are all slaves to sin: “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Because we are slaves to sin, we receive death: “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). What these verses tell us about sin is bad news, but there is a huge but coming in the next part of Romans 6:23 – the but of all buts: “…but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”! That’s right, Jesus came to earth to give us a way to become a child of God! We are no longer a slave but adopted as a son! But if we are a son and an heir with Christ, what does that mean?
Being a son and heir means we will be able to spend all of eternity in the presence of our Creator, our Savior, our Lord! The best news for us today is that we do not have to wonder how this will come to be. Romans 10:9 tells us, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved.” If you do not know Him as Lord, it is time. If you are certain He rose from the grave, confess Him as Lord of your life. Give yourself over to Him – right here and right now. It is time to be adopted into His family. It is time to receive the love only a perfect Father can give. Allow Him to give you the greatest gift of all today: JESUS!
Reflection Questions:
- Consider the idea of being adopted as sons and daughters of God through Jesus. How does this promise of adoption offer hope both in the context of the Galatians passage and in your personal walk with Christ?
- Today’s devotion touches on how we are all initially slaves to sin and the consequences of that bondage. How does the promise of eternal life through Jesus’s contrast with this reality and impact our understanding of salvation?
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