4:1 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,
4:2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father.
4:3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world.
4:4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born[a] of a woman, born under the law,
4:5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
4:6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, [b]“Abba, Father!”
4:7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir [c]of God [d]through Christ.
4:8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods.
4:9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?
4:10 You observe days and months and seasons and years.
4:11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.
4:12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all.
4:13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first.
4:14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
4:15 What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me.
4:16 Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?
4:17 They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them.
4:18 But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you.
4:19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,
4:20 I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.
STUDY:
In our text today, we see Paul’s disappointment at the fact that the Galatian Christians who had joyfully accepted to follow Christ at his preaching, after some time, had turned to seeking the righteousness of the Law. They had quickly forgotten that the righteousness of the Law could not save them; only faith in Jesus Christ could do (Gal. 3:26). The Apostle Paul corrected them from trying to subject themselves to the formal observance of the Law. He then encouraged them to grow up in their faith in Christ Jesus which would make them enjoy the full benefits of the blessings of Christ (Eph. 1:3-6).
Beloved, as Christians, we are no longer bound by this formal observance of the Law. We are admonished in Colossians 2:20-23 to grow up into maturity in Christ, and we can do this through the study of His Word, prayer and constant obedience to the Holy Spirit. Growing into maturity in Christ will make you a spiritual and knowledgeable Christian. Being a religious person is different from being saved. A religious person only observes religious principles and formal systems.
He could even be energetic in church activities, but lack the personal relationship with Christ. He could be full of activities, but without the Holy Spirit. Personal relationship or encounter with Jesus marks the beginning of your relationship with God. Salvation brings you into true freedom to serve God, without feeling it as a burden. Your heart is filled with the joy of Heaven, as Jesus becomes real to you each day.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help me to grow daily in my relationship with you. Amen.
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