The Blessing of Sonship: Understanding the Privilege of Being a Child of God

Justification by faith alone is the fundamental blessing; adoption as children of God is an even greater blessing.

### The Greatest Blessing: Adoption as Children of God (Galatians 3-4)
* 🔍 Justification by faith alone is a fundamental blessing, but being adopted as children of God is considered an **even greater blessing** in the book of Galatians.
* 👪 Ji Peker, a renowned theologian, stated: "This adoption is the **highest privilege** that the gospel offers, **higher than even justification**."
* ⚖ Justification meets our basic spiritual need by **forgiving our sins**, but being loved and cared for by God the Father is considered an **even greater blessing**.
* 🌊 Before Christ, believers were like underage children under the law, unable to **fully enjoy their inheritance as God's children**.
* 🕰 Galatians 4:4-5 highlights the perfect timing of God's plan, where "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**."
* 👶 The Holy Spirit's role in our adoption is emphasized, as it allows believers to call God "**Abba, Father**," signifying a **personal and intimate relationship with God**.
* 🌟 This privilege of sonship is unique to Christianity, setting it apart from other religions that may also emphasize **good deeds, faith, and law**.
* 💖 The Holy Spirit's presence in our hearts is crucial, as "**everything we do flows from our heart**" (Proverbs 4:23), and without the Spirit's guidance, we would naturally **rely on and gratify our flesh**.

### The Transformative Power of the Holy Spirit and the Privilege of Sonship
* 🔥 The Holy Spirit transforms believers' hearts, changing their desires to **align with God's will** and helping them **draw closer to Him**.
* 🛡 The Spirit intercedes for believers, even in their **unspoken needs**, and helps them maintain a **close relationship with God**.
* 👶 Believers, as God's children, have the privilege of **sonship**, which includes being **heirs to God's promises and blessings**.
* 🔗 Paul warns against falling back into legalism, emphasizing that believers are **saved by grace through faith, not by works**.
* 📚 Paul urges believers to remember the **power of God's word**, which should **guide their actions and beliefs**.
* ❤ Believers are encouraged to restore those who have strayed from the truth with **gentleness and love**.
* 📖 Paul's personal appeal to the Galatians combines **truth and love**, showing the **importance of both** in Christian relationships.
* 🙏 Believers are called to live out their identity as children of God, relying on the Holy Spirit to help them **obey and enjoy their status**.

No Longer A Slave, But God's Child (Galatians 3:26 – 4:20)

The Life Church and Missions

The Blessing of Justification by Faith Alone

The repeated phrase in the sermons on Galatians is "justification by faith alone," emphasizing its significance.

The greater blessing than justification is being called a child of God and adopted into his family, as it allows for a loving relationship with God.

The equality in Christ, where no one is superior, highlights that God's grace should lead to humility and gratitude.

The Pre-Christ Constraints on God's People

Before Christ, believers were constrained by the law, similar to underage children being under a strict guardian.

The law treated everyone as sinful and subjected them to its consequences, instilling fear and making it difficult to distinguish between a child and a slave.

However, with the arrival of Christ, people were set free from this bondage, allowing them to fully enjoy their rights as God's children.

Christ's coming, in God's perfect timing, redeemed those under the law and brought them into sonship, emphasizing the importance of trusting in God's timing despite impatience.

God's Perfect Timing and the Gift of Jesus

God's perfect timing is crucial in the arrival of Jesus, as he waits for humans to exhaust their own means before sending a savior.

The arrival of Jesus is a powerful gospel message, emphasizing that it is God who takes the action to redeem sinners.

Jesus's birth "of woman" highlights his humanity, essential for him to be a true representative and savior of mankind.

The Significance of Jesus Being Born Under the Law

Jesus' birth under the law is a fulfillment of God's promise to Adam and Eve, as the promised seed to defeat the Devil and save mankind.

Being born under the law, Jesus showcased how to perfectly obey God's laws and took on the consequences of sin, providing redemption for believers.

Through Jesus, believers receive the privilege of sonship and are given the Holy Spirit, who establishes an intimate relationship with God as their Father.

Calling God "Father" allows for a bold and unrestricted approach to Him in times of need, similar to a child fearlessly entering their father's room.

The concept of sonship with God goes beyond theoretical knowledge and should be accompanied by a deep feeling of love and assurance.

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in helping believers experience the love of God and understand the privilege of sonship through Jesus, which is unique to the Christian faith.

The Role of the Holy Spirit and Our Identity as Children of God

The Holy Spirit understands and intercedes for our unspoken needs and pains, bringing us closer to God.

The Holy Spirit helps us not only know our identity as children of God but also enjoy it, knowing that God will never disown us, even when we sin.

As children of God, our inheritance is not just the good things God can give us, but God himself, which is emphasized throughout the Bible, including in the Book of Psalms and the New Testament book of Galatians.

The Promise of Inheritance in Galatians 3:14

Galatians 3:14 states that the promise of inheritance is the Spirit of God, including the promised land for Abraham and the kingdom of God for New Testament Believers.

The passage questions why one would return to enslavement after knowing God, emphasizing the tendency to go back to old ways and the need to learn from past mistakes.

It reminds believers that reliance on the law or anything else for salvation can lead to enslavement, emphasizing that they are saved by Christ's actions, and need to live in the freedom of their identity as heirs.

Paul's Plea for Restoration and Reminder of God's Power

Paul urges believers to gently restore those who have strayed and to remember the power of God's word in their efforts.

He emphasizes his own illness when he first preached to the Galatians, highlighting the congregation's acceptance of him despite his weakness.

Paul's testimony serves as a reminder that God's word is compelling, regardless of the messenger's perceived shortcomings, encouraging believers in their efforts to spread the gospel.

Paul questions the Galatians about their lost joy and blessedness, attributing it to being led astray by another gospel and falling into a trap of legalism.

He reminds the Galatians that they are not bound by outward rituals and laws, but have received the Holy Spirit to guide them in pleasing God, encouraging them to return to their original joyful state.

Paul pleads with the Galatians to resist the trap of legalism and emphasizes that their obedience should stem from being saved by God, not as a means of salvation.

Paul's Approach to Correcting the Galatians

Paul changes his tone from rebuke to affectionate concern in order to win over the Galatians and emphasize the importance of truth and love.

He balances heavy doctrinal teaching with personal relationships and love, demonstrating the need for gentle yet firm correction.

Paul's message reminds believers of their identity as children of God and the importance of not being led astray, emphasizing the need to cherish this grace and live in obedience.