"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has 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 an heir through God." - Galatians 4:4-7
Galatians 4:4-7 is a powerful passage in Paul's letter to the Galatians, focusing on the fulfilment of God's promise of salvation and the transformation of believers through Christ. One of the primary themes of Christian theology is the fulfilment of God's plan through the coming of Christ, emphasizing how God's promises and purposes for humanity are fulfilled through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. This historical and spiritual fulfilment connects God's ultimate plan for salvation with Old Testament predictions.
Key Themes and Discussion
1. The Fulfillment of God's Plan:
"when the fullness of time had come"
Christ's coming was not random but occurred at the divinely appointed moment in human history. It highlights God's sovereignty in orchestrating salvation history. By God's divine design, the time of Christ's advent was ideal. It happened historically during a time of extensive Greek language and culture, relative political stability under Roman power, and advancements in travel and communication that made it easier for the gospel to spread.
Jesus’ life and mission fulfilled numerous Old Testament prophecies, including:
- The Virgin Birth: Isaiah 7:14—"The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."
- The Birthplace: Micah 5:2—The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
- The Suffering Servant: Isaiah 53 describes the sacrificial suffering and redemption through the Messiah.
- The New Covenant: Jeremiah 31:31-34 foretells a new covenant established by God, written on the hearts of His people, fulfilled through Jesus.
2. The Incarnation and the Fulfillment of the Law:
"God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law"
A sign of Christ's humanity (being born of a woman) and divinity (being sent by God). His status as someone who was "born under the law" indicates that he is subject to the same moral and legal requirements as the rest of humanity, making him eligible to save people who are under the law.
According to Matthew 5:17, Jesus upheld and fulfilled the Mosaic Law. Through His atoning death, He fulfilled the law's demands for justice and atoned for sin. He also lived a spotless life, exhibiting the righteousness that the law demanded.
3. Redemption of Humanity and Freedom:
"to redeem those who were under the law,"
Christ came to redeem those who were under the law, alluding to the law's incapacity to save and humanity's enslavement to sin. Redemption entails being bought out or set free from slavery, which denotes freedom from sin and the law's condemnation.
The deepest need of humanity—reconciliation with God—was met by the coming of Christ. All who believe can be saved since He took on human nature (Philippians 2:6–8) and died on the cross, bearing the punishment for sin (John 3:16, 2 Corinthians 5:21). God's promise to restore humanity following the fall in Genesis is fulfilled by this redemption.
4. Adoption as Sons and Daughters:
As a result of redemption's work, believers are set free or forgiven and transitioned from slavery to sonship, signifying a change in their relationship with God. Believers are not merely freed individuals; they are adopted into God’s family as His beloved children (Romans 8:15), gaining all of its rights and privileges with an intimate relationship.
5. The Role of the Holy Spirit and Intimacy with God:
"God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!”
This demonstrates the depth of believers' relationship with God through the Holy Spirit. Similar to "Daddy," "Abba" is an Aramaic term of affection that signifies closeness, trust, and love.
Christ fulfilled prophecies like Ezekiel 36:26–27 by sending the Holy Spirit to dwell in believers after His ascension. Christians are empowered by the Spirit to preach the good news of salvation and fulfil God's desire.
6. Heirship and Inheritance:
"So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God."
This statement ties adoption to inheritance. As children of God, believers are heirs to eternal life and the promises of God's kingdom. This is a profound declaration of the believer's transformed identity and the implications of that identity in Christ.
According to Galatians 4:3, humanity was subjected to sin, the law, and the earth's natural forces. This enslavement entailed being condemned, trying to be upright by deeds, and being constrained by a system that was eventually unsalvageable.
Believers are released from this enslavement by virtue of Jesus' redemptive work. According to Romans 6:14, sin's power is broken and the law is fulfilled in Christ. The limitations of legalism and its shortcomings no longer characterize believers.
Reflections:
- No matter what happens in life, knowing that one is an heir through God gives one confidence in God's love and plans. Believers are reassured of their new identity as God's beloved children and feel safe in their relationship with Him.
- By the grace of Christ, Christians are no longer captives of sin or legalistic structures. The presence of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life serves as a source of power and direction as well as a seal of adoption.
- Knowing that they are heirs of God's promises encourages believers to live with hope and purpose. The believer’s relationship with God is no longer driven by fear or compulsion but by love and gratitude.
- All believers share the same status as children of God and heirs, breaking down divisions of ethnicity, status, or gender (Galatians 3:28).
Galatians 4:4-7 is a concise yet profound summary of the gospel, capturing God's redemptive work, the identity and inheritance of believers, and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. The gospel's transformational impact is summed up in this verse. It proclaims that believers have been accepted into God's family with all of its benefits and obligations, and are no longer bound by fear or struggling. It is an exhortation to live in the liberty, closeness, and hope that comes from being God's child and heir, completely safe in His promises and love.
Gratitude Prayer for God's Inheritance
Father in heaven, I approach You with a heart full of respect and gratitude. I'm grateful that You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to save me from the slavery of fear and sin. I am now Your loving child and no longer a slave because of Him.
I'm grateful that You accepted me into Your family and allowed me to name You "Abba, Father." Your grace is boundless, and your love is immeasurable. The inheritance You have provided for me—a seat in Your kingdom, joy, peace, and eternal life—humbles me.
Help me to live in the fullness of this truth, with confidence in my identity as Your child and an heir of Your promises. May my life reflect the gratitude I feel, as I walk in Your love, share Your light, and honor You in all I do.
Thank You for Your mercy, faithfulness, and the unshakable hope I have in You. To You be all glory, now and forever, in Jesus' precious name,
Amen.
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