Sons and Heirs

[Read: Galatians 3:26-4:7]

Don’t miss this, God tells us through Paul in Galatians 3:26 that we are all sons (or daughters as the case may be) of God through our faith in Christ.

This is a REALLY BIG DEAL!

Let me paint the picture I see when I read something like this in the Scripture.

Here’s you: living in a nice neighborhood in the suburbs of Charlotte. Great working class neighbors, police officers, bankers, teachers etc…and all their kids seem nice, that is, except for 'that kid' across the street and his friends. You’ve never seen him do anything, but you’re convinced that he’s rotten to the core. One day, you and your wife are going on a date and you're late. You pull into the drive way, jump from your car to hers and speed out of the driveway having forgotten to lock your car. You notice as your pulling away that ‘that kid’ is across the street playing football with his friends.

When you get back from your date you’re shocked to find your car destroyed. The stereo, your iPod and headphones are gone. Your briefcase that had your computer and company check book in it are gone. The car is trashed. The seats are slashed, headlights are busted out, the tires are flat and there’s a key scratch running the entire length of the driver side.

Of course, you call the police and get them involved, but after a couple weeks it becomes clear that even though you are absolutely convinced that it had to be ‘that kid’, there is no evidence to prove it. He’s gotten away with it. To make matters worse, every time you see ‘that kid’ now, he looks at you with that frustrating little smirk...

Here’s the point, ‘that kid’, is you and I! And here’s how God responds. He doesn’t call the cops, get frustrated and write you off, he adopts you. He treats you just like one of the family. When you turn 16 he gives you a car. When you go to college he foots the bill. He feeds you, clothes you, and looks after you. He calls you son!

Since we’re ‘that kid’, I guess I’m just really thankful that God has decided not to treat me the way I would have treated ‘that kid’.

We’re sons and heirs, but when I read this passage, I’m reminded to avoid the temptation to start believing that I deserve it.