Exodus 27, John 8, Galatians 4
Probably most of you have seen the musical Annie. It is about a girl named Annie, who became an orphan during the Great Depression. I will not give you all of the details, but spoiler alert, in the end she is adopted by a generous millionaire. It is fascinating to think about going from a dirty, penniless orphan to someone who lives in a mansion and has everything that could be wanted. Not only that, being adopted into the family also made her an heiress to the fortunes of Daddy Warbucks.
In Galatians 4, we realize that Annie’s story is our story too. We were filthy and penniless. We had nothing to offer God. Yet in his great love for us, he paid our ransom and redeemed us. He adopted us as his own children. The Apostle Paul says, “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.” Galatians4:4–5NIV
Paul tells us, “Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’” Galatians4:6NIV Scholars have noted that Abba is an affectionate name for father, like dad or daddy. The idea that God loves us so much that he gave us the Spirit of Jesus so that we could call out to him as our dad is overwhelming! We are God’s adopted children and he makes no difference between us and his own beloved Son.
To be sure we understand the relationship, Paul says, “so you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.” Galatians4:7NIV We share the full benefits of being a child of God. We are not slaves or ill-treated stepchildren. We are heirs who enjoy all the affection and benefits of being a child of God in his glorious kingdom.
Prayer:
Abba Father, thank you for loving me so much that you sent Jesus to ransom and redeem me when I was a filthy sinner with nothing to offer. Thank you for the Spirit of Jesus, living in me, that helps me to embrace you as my dad! In Jesus’ name.
Thinking About and Being a Child of God 