DEVOTION - Day 4

Galatians 4:7 (New International Version)
7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.


The Jewish people were slaves in a number of different ways. They were often times literal slaves in that their country was conquered and they were taken to be slaves in the country who defeated them in war. However, they were also slaves to the law that I referenced in yesterday’s blog. Paul seeks to outline their freedom from all of these rules in order to draw attention to the grace of God that doesn’t require anyone to follow rules to earn it.

But, he also takes it a step further and tells them that they are also God’s children. And because of this, they are also “heirs.” No this isn’t a misspelling of Pastor Todd’s last name. In fact it is telling them that they are part of the family of God. This means that they are entitled to everything that comes along with being family – love, support, protection, provision, etc.

For us today, this story speaks of freedom and the peace that comes with knowing we belong to a loving family. What is it in your life that you are a slave to? What area of your life are you needing freedom in? Where could you use a little “family” to encourage you or give you other necessities in your life?

I often times find myself a slave to certain things. For example, I frequently feel like a slave to my job. And, yes, I need a job. However, that doesn’t mean that I have to be there all the time sacrificing my family time in order to be successful. Maybe for you, you feel like a slave to temptation, or pornography, or food. Or, maybe you don’t have a family where you feel much of the things I list above.

Pray today that God will help you accept the freedom that He purchased for you on the cross. Ask that he assists you in breaking free from any bondage in your life so that you can be all that He has made you to be. Finally, pray that He will help you accept that no matter what family experience you’ve had in life that you are now an heir to the God of the universe and He will give you all the love, support, protection, and provision you need.