Today’s Scripture is:  Galatians 4:4-7     (MSG)

^4-7 But when the time arrived that was set by God the Father, God sent his Son, born among us of a woman, born under the conditions of the law so that he might redeem those of us who have been kidnapped by the law. Thus we have been set free to experience our rightful heritage. You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children because God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives crying out, “Papa! Father!” Doesn’t that privilege of intimate conversation with God make it plain that you are not a slave, but a child? And if you are a child, you’re also an heir, with complete access to the inheritance.

Do you ever get totally exhausted with fighting the flesh?  My flesh is so strong, sometimes I feel like I’m losing the battle.  So the words “redeem”, “set free”, “rightful heritage”, “fully adopted”, and  “not a slave” are so powerful for me in this passage.    What on earth (literally) would I have to look forward to without the promise of freedom through Christ?  Freedom to cry out to a  Dad who will help me fight the battle, encourage me, forgive me and strengthen me to do better even  after I fail.   I have no right to claim any inheritance after how I behave most of the time – and yet because I am a child of His and He loves me, I receive….I inherit.   This is my identity…an identity that is secure, simply because I believe in a God that has set me free.  How humbling and amazing is that?

I also think of Samantha, a young 22 year old girl who is like a daughter to me.  She grew up in multiple foster homes from the time she was 6 years old until she graduated from high school – and then she was on her own.  Samantha is just now coming to know who Jesus is and what He means for her life… but can you imagine the good news for her in this?  Knowing that she has a real Father in heaven that has adopted her and loves her for who she is… for the first time ever?  Because of this identity she has in Christ now, her current life situation (unmarried, food stamps, no drivers license, challenging living situation) does NOT DEFINE her.  Christ defines her!   And she can live a “hope-filled” life because part of her inheritance is the peace, strength, power, authority, and wisdom that she is receiving right NOW from God as her loving heavenly Father!

We have an inheritance that we can claim now because of our access to the Father.  He’s ready to give it to us freely.  We need to not think of ourselves as slaves any longer, but accept the inheritance of all the gifts He wants to give us now… before the final inheritance of life with Him forever!  He’s not going to adopt us and leave us… He wants a relationship and intimate conversation with us now.  He wants us to live life fully and with the authority and power that comes from having God as our Dad!   That identity is so humbling, yet so freeing and exciting.  It is for me… and I know it is for Samantha…..  how about you?

Father, thank you for adopting me, for sending your Spirit to live in me, and for giving me the privilege of intimate conversations with you.   Thank you for changing my identity from a slave to a daughter and for giving me an inheritance beyond my wildest imagination or worthiness.   Help me Lord to never take that for granted and to live in it fully!    I love you,  Amen.

What are your thoughts for today?  I would love to hear!

Denise