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The Full Rights of Sons

Galatians #10


William James said “Most people feel like failures.”  How good it is to know that God loves us and receives us just like we are!

Galatians 4:1-7

The contrast we read about here is between children and sons.  Child (the Greek word “nepios”  or immature) was the same as slave status.  A child was simply born into the family.  But in Roman law, a son was recognized at a point of maturity. 

Maturity (son status) is breaking away from a rule-dominated relationship with God and moving into a faith and love relationship with your Father. 

Colossians 2:20 – 23

God wants to release all the blessings of inheritance to those who are occupied with doing what is on their Father’s heart — rather than occupied with following rules in order keep the Master from being upset with them.

Colossians 2:8

Law based living is so deceptive – if you will do more then God will bless more.  The deception is that it has an appearance of godliness, but does not reach the heart of God.  God is always after a Father/Son relationship, as opposed to a  Master/Slave relationship.

“For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’  The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.”   – Romans 8:15 - 17

"No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.”   – John 15:15

Sons vs. Slaves:

1. Sons obey out of love; slaves obey out of duty or fear.

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”   – John 14:15

It’s not about proving love – it’s about obedience coming out of loving God.

A slave asks – what can I get away with and still be saved?  A son asks – How far can I go in obedience to the heart of God?

Psalm 32:8-9

2. Sons carry purpose in their heart; slaves are only interested in personal well being.

It’s always a mark of maturity when we realize the world does not revolve around us.  There are issues concerning the Father’s purpose that are more important than our personal benefits.

The inheritance of prosperity has a purpose – to enable us to be a blessing.

3.  Sons have a vision for the future; slaves have no vision for the future.

Sons are carrying a legacy, receiving the baton.  Sons understand legacy – realizing that someday they will have sons who will be impacted by their obedience, and then those sons will carry on.

A sense of destiny will move us into maturity.