A Child of God or Slave of Selfish, Sinful Needs? ⋆ Effie Darlene Barba %

As we continue in the book of Galatians. I want to consider our standing as presented by Paul in chapter 4. Are we a child of God or slave of selfish, sinful needs. Slavery is clearly emphasized by the law as our true nature? To fully consider our standing in chapter 4, I need to step back. Let’s look back into chapter 3 for a moment before moving forward. That will make things clearer. Last week we looked at the law having been given because of man’s continual sin. It was to highlight the truth of our sin nature. That would obviously make our need for a Savior evident to each of us.

The other thing we looked at was the covenant of God with Abraham, based on faith. Indeed, there was a covenant with Adam that salvation and life would come through Eve’s seed. All pointing to the fact that we could not save ourselves. Hence, why an innocent lamb had to die to cover the sins of Adam and Eve. Therefore, ever since sin entered the word, salvation has always been by faith. It was never by the works of the law. In fact, the law was not even presented until Moses was given it. This as he led God’s people out of slavery in Egypt.

Sin existed. Death existed. And Salvation by faith existed. We saw representations of that through Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses to only name a few. Of course, there was also Job and Melchizedek the King of Salem, priest of the Most High God.

So, Did the Law Always Exist?

No. As stated above. The law was given to Moses about 2500 years after Adam and 1500 years before Christ’s birth on earth. Sin existed. Death existed. Look at what Paul wrote.

What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made, and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. Galations 3:19 (NKJV)

Or in the amplified version:

Why, then, the Law [what was its purpose]? It was added [after the promise to Abraham, to reveal to people their guilt] because of transgressions [that is, to make people conscious of the sinfulness of sin], and [the Law] was ordained through angels and delivered to Israel by the hand of a mediator [Moses, the mediator between God and Israel, to be in effect] until the Seed would come to whom the promise had been made. Galatians 3:19 AMP

Now note two very important things. It was added. Never did it replace the promises given by God through faith. Righteousness was accounted to those who believed by faith in the promises of God. All of which pointed to a Savior. To be a child of God. One would by faith believe in Him, knowing He was the only one who could provide life. Secondly, it was added Until—meaning an ending date.

Laws are regulations which point out that breaking them has consequences. Speeding limits are posted, so there is a guideline for which violators can be aware of their charges. Transgressions are punished with greater ease and understanding if listed. We recognize our offense because it is written for us to see.

What about the Law today?

Also, note in the scripture above. The law was given “till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made”.

Theodore H. Epp explains this very clearly.

“Sin was in the world before the Law came. This means then that Law had a definite beginning. It was added. But what was it added to? Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and all the others who were saved in those bygone years were saved by grace the same as we are today. Even during the Law period God always dealt with man in grace as far as salvation was concerned. God has only had one method of salvation before the Law, during the Law or after the Law. The gospel is good news to all, past, present and future. But the Law was never good news It was bad news It was added to the good news but it did not take the place of grace. Neither was it mixed with grace. And it did not supplant grace. Grace was the good news, but, the law was not.

The word translated “added” means to “to place alongside of.” The Law being placed alongside of grace does not mean grace was removed. This is wonderful to see and yet is all important. Grace was there so man could flee to it….

We learn from Galatians 3:19 that there was an end to the Law. There was a time when it began but there was also a time element with regard to its conclusion. It was given “till the seed should come to whom the promise was made. The promise was the promise of grace. The seed was Jesus Christ.¹ ^{_{1 Epp, Theodore H., Flesh & Spirit in Conflict, ©1968, Back to the Bible Broadcast, Lincoln, Nebraska, pages
97-98…101}}

The curtain to the Holy of Holies was torn when Christ died on the cross. No further sacrifices are needed.

Child of God through Jesus Christ.

Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. 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 4:1-7 NKJV

Before I was saved, I was set aside as a child of God. I was already an heir. However, until I accepted Christ as my Savior, I was still just as a slave. I stood guilty under the penalties of the law which represents God’s Righteousness. Sin is sin, an abomination against God, even if not written. Yet, the writing of it makes it obvious. God knew I would be His child, but I did not yet carry the Holy Spirit in my body. My adoption papers were sitting ready, just not yet executed.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly placesin Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. Ephesians1: 3-6 NKJV

Or look at Romans:

For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. Romans 8: 29-30 NKJV

Therefore, until that day, I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior I was a slave. I was under the tutoring of the law leading me to understand I needed a Savior. This even though I had been chosen for adoption by God as child.

Transformed From Slave of Selfish, Sinful Needs and Desires to Child of God

And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:4-6 NKJV

So, how is the New Covenant SOOO Glorious. Think of this, when Moses went up the Mount to meet with God, His face glowed afterward. The mountain covered with smoke, fire, and lightning. Yet, unscathed, Moses went up and returned with the law written on stones. Those watching saw this as glorious.

But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious. II Corinthians 3: 7-11 NKJV

Note again the words “passing away” in the last sentence above. The law was completely fulfilled by Jesus. He said, “I have not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it, complete it, and reveal its purpose”. Read Matthew 5 in which he explains the true heart of the law. Some of this was veiled. Just as the face of Moses, who had to put a veil over his face. The people could not tolerate seeing the full reflective Glory of God. But because of Christ, we come to God with unveiled faces.

Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech— unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. II Corinthians 3: 12-18 NKJV

As we gaze upon the face of our Savior. As we spend time alone with Him, we are being transformed into His image. We read His Word to know more of Him. Because of all this, by grace, He is being reflected in us and through us. Not by our own works, but by that of the Holy Spirit. My transformation is little by little, one glory at a time. One tiny glory to another tiny glory. One day I will look like Him. The Holy Spirit assures me I will. Whatever it takes, He will accomplish it.

We Are a Child of God, That Changes Everything

No longer am I a slave of selfish, sinful needs and desires. He is transforming me step by step. Do I still fall prey to my pride and selfish desires? Certainly, but so quickly I find myself on my knees to repent. More quickly today than yesterday. Which brings me to grasping this truth in Romans.

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God didby sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who liveaccording to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded isdeath, but to be spiritually minded islife and peace. Because the carnal mind isenmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:1-8 NKJV

Because I know my carnal mind calls me sometimes, how do I know that I am a Child of God? Where is my certainty? It is the Holy Spirit indwelling me that assures me.

But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ isin you, the body isdead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:9-11 NKJV

And because of that my heart’s desire is to please Him. I do not want to do things that bring dishonor to His name. My heart grieves when I sin. Usually, it is something I have said more than what I do at this point. Example this week. I got so upset and frustrated. My steady prayer at that moment. “Lord, keep my mouth shut, please do not let me blurt out these thoughts, compounding the sin in my heart.”

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba,Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him,that we may also be glorified together. Romans 8: 12-17 NKJV

So How Can You Be Certain You Are a Child of God?

But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way…. “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:6,8-13 NKJV

So, for anyone who does not know Him, today is the day of salvation, if only you would believe. And for those who know Him as Lord and Savior. Rest assured in the fact that you are a Chosen, Beloved Child of God. You are free from the penalties of the law. It no longer holds you in its chains of guilt and shame. Hold onto that liberty, secured in Jesus Christ.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. I urge you to seek Him today.

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The Promises of God Triumph by Our Victory in Jesus How?

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Please note: This Post only has quotes from the KJV Bible except where otherwise indicated

¹ J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)

BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)

The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.

English Standard Version (ESV)

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