By: Eric Tetzlaff
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Scripture
Galatians 4:4-7 (NASB)
4But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under
the Law, 5so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the
adoption as sons. 6Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father! 7Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.
Devotional Thoughts
With the fall of Adam and Eve, humans faced a life of sin, shame, suffering, and ultimately
slavery (see Genesis 3:10, 16-19, Galatians 4:8). In light of this, God offered them hope: the promise of a Savior who would one day free them from sin and the burdens it entails. Throughout the Old Testament scriptures, the people of God anticipated, sought after, longed for and rejoiced in the coming Savior. In Galatians 4:4, Paul reminds us that God remembered His promise and fulfilled the hopes of His people by sending His own Son to redeem humankind. God Himself became human, experiencing the limitations and suffering that we as humans face, and redeemed humankind, offering us freedom from slavery to sin and shame. Furthermore, Paul celebrates the fact that not only has God set us free, but He has also lifted
our shame by adopting each one of us into His family. He has given us a new name; a new
identity. We are no longer slaves and sinners. We are the sons and daughters of God!
During this time of Advent, let us rejoice in the comfort that though we still face sin, pain and
suffering in life, these do not define us. And let us hold our hope in Father God, who walks with
us, loves us and holds our trust dear.
Questions to Consider
How can you embrace and rejoice in your identity as a child of God? How can embracing this
identity help build hope?
Prayer
Father God, thank you for redeeming me and welcoming me into your family. I celebrate and
rejoice in my identity as your child. Thank you for wanting to be close to me. Show me how to
fully embrace this identity, not just as knowledge, but as an integral part of my entire being.
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