Rightly dividing the Word of Truth has finished its 64th week. The main focus of Galatians 4:1-7 is we are heirs of God's grace, regardless of our level of maturity. Paul uses the picture of a child in a Roman household, who must be taught about his position as heir. He is no different than a servant until he matures to the point that he can be trusted with the family fortune. John spoke of the three basic stages of spiritual growth that matches the corresponding stages of physical growth. Childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. It is our responsibility to move from babes to mature believers, able to bear fruit that will remain. 1 John 2:12-14: I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. V.4-5 give us incredible doctrine understanding about the divine plan of God for the ages. His prophetic program has been moving forward, and is on schedule. Christ came to present kingdom salvation to Israel, but was rejected, along with John the Baptist, and finally Stephen in Acts 7. As V.5 states, he came to redeem them under the law (the Jews), and we (the Gentiles) are the beneficiaries of the gospel of grace! What a wonderful truth! Matthew 15:24: But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. John 1:11-13: He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Romans 15:8-9: Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. Romans 5:6: For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. V.6-7 delivers the greatest amount of joy and hope – we are the children of God and heirs through Christ! Oh, what an incredible hope we have in this precious promise of God. Romans 8:16-17: The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
