Galatians__4

Scripture

Galatians 4: 28&31

Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise… Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman but of the free woman.

 

Observation

Paul continues his letter to the Galatians and looks to emphasize who we are in Christ. He speaks of Abraham’s children as a comparison and then furthers this analogy by calling the Galatians themselves “children of promise.” From here, he declares that anyone who believes in Christ and lives for Him is a new and free being.

 

Understanding

You ever thought about the weight that the word promise carries? Here’s how our good friend Miriam-Webster defines promise (n.): a declaration or assurance that one will do a particular thing or that a particular thing will happen. That seems like a lot of words to say that a promise guarantees something, whether it be a service or an event, or even a person. Here Paul calls us “children of promise.” It has a nice ring to it, but the implication is so much more than just “having a nice ring to it.” Keeping a promise often requires an action. We can’t just passively sit and expect our promises to fulfill themselves, but in the same vein our promise was already fulfilled for us.

I came to a shocking realization the other day: I don’t have to do anything to earn the affection of God. I think that’s what Paul is getting at here; yes, you have promises to upkeep but those are simply out of being a good child of God. There’s nothing we can do to make God love or hate us more. We are free to experience the love of God simply by believing in Him. To be honest with you, for a little bit I thought I had to earn it, but I don’t I live in the freedom of being a child of the Most High. I am a child of promise, and rest-assured I will bask in that freedom so generously given to me.

 

Life Application

Something I realize is a deterrent in basking in this freedom though is the opinion of others. To that I say: just because we haven’t experienced God in a certain way yet doesn’t mean He doesn’t operate in that way. My concept of God may sometimes be small, but I know that He isn’t! I know that I know I have experienced God, and because of that I can live in His promises and freedom that He has set before me.

Take a look at your own life and remember the times that you experienced Him in such a tangible way. Hold onto it and use it as a tool in helping others to being children of promise and free in Christ.

-Allison Khan