But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

– Galatians 4:4-7 (NKJV)

The “fullness of time”: Jesus said in Mark 1:15, “the time has come. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” The Jewish people had been in bondage, from Joseph to Jesus. They were under the regimes of the Egyptians, Syrians, Greeks, and the Roman Empire. The people of God had been looking for the Messiah. He would come and free them from oppression. Then, they would be a free people.

Jesus was sent from God (fully God). He was born of a woman (fully human). He came to redeem (buy back those under bondage with a price) those born under the law (under the same permissions and restrictions as His peers). People despise kings or politicians who put themselves above the rules they make. Jesus lived under the same law as everyone else (Matthew 5:17). 

“That we might receive the adoption as sons”: in Paul’s time when someone was adopted into a Roman family, all debts were wiped. Generally, adopted children have the same rights as biological ones.

“And because you are sons” (this is not inclusive of men; you can absolutely say daughters here), “God sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out ‘Abba, Father!’.” Here we have the fullness of the Godhead at work.

“Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son (or daughter), and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” This is only possible because of what Jesus has done through His act of love, commitment and obedience.

The Old Testament shows many names for God. They reflect His function or the people’s needs. For example, Elohim – God, Mighty Creator; Jehovah Jireh – the Lord will provide; Yahweh Rophe – the Lord who heals. When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, He replied, “Our Father.” Jesus introduced God as our Father. God is all that we ever need; His greatness function is our Father, and our greatest position is a child of God (1 John 3:1).

Knowing we have a flawless Father fills us with confidence. He is for us, not against us. He will not withhold any good thing from us. He defends us, goes before us, and is always with us. His everlasting love covers a multitude of sins and casts out fear. This gives us a “more than conquerors” mentality. A faith that moves mountains and pleases Him fills us.

This is all because of what Jesus did. Jesus came to reconcile us to the Father. He aimed to restore us to the original plan: to walk and talk with our loving Father. Jesus came to the earth. He showed us who the Father is. He became what we were, exchanged places with us, and died in our place. “He that knew no sin, became sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus’ work makes us right with God. We should feel no guilt or shame. We should not feel inferior, all because of His death and resurrection. Hallelujah!

Thank You, Father, for sending Your only begotten Son, that through Him we believe that we are now adopted into Your family through the Holy Spirit. Through Jesus we now can boldly approach the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

How we apply our new status as a member of God’s family is to continually be mindful of our identity in Christ. When our heavenly Father looks at us, He sees us through the precious blood of His Son. He sees us as forgiven, washed clean from filth; He sees us as He sees His Son. When we think of ourselves any less than that, just ask the Holy Spirit, “What do You see when You look at me?” He will confirm that you are His child – after all, the Holy Spirit is also the Spirit of Truth and He cannot lie.

Know who you are and whose you are.