Galatians 4:1-7 Not a Child Anymore

Format for Your Devotions

Instructions: Do not read my example devotion until you have completed your own devotional time in the scriptures. Reading my thoughts first may limit your own understanding. Let the Holy Spirit speak to you alone before looking to see what anyone else has to say, whether it is me, a Bible commentary, or a friend. Let God speak to you before you let another person speak to you. I have provided a format, but modify it to fit your needs. For example, I usually combine my application and prayer together talking to God about the application to my own life. You can go through this devotion process mentally, speaking out loud, or in writing as you wish. Don’t worry if you are not following this process exactly. Sometimes, I add extra information and sometimes I emphasize one part more than others. However, you should always think about what you learn about God from this passage.

Step 1: Pray–Ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance first of all and that God may reveal the lessons that He wants you to have that day. Request that God protect you from Satan’s distractions (and the devil will try to distract you whether it is pinching the baby or putting you to sleep). Ask to see God more clearly as you read and think about the passage.

Step 2: Read the passage–Read to get an overview of the information first. Then start looking at specific parts after the first reading. You may read a larger or smaller section than I have here because you do not have to follow my organization at all.

Step 3: Understand the passage–You can summarize, ask and answer your own questions about the passage, visualize the story, analyze the characters, and relate this passage to other scriptures and personal experiences.

Step 4: What does this reveal about God?–What do you learn about the Father, Son, and/or Holy Spirit from this passage?

Step 5: Apply this to your own life.

Step 6: Prayer

My Example Devotion: June 10, 2020 Galatians 4:1-7

Note: In the devotion examples, I leave my questions and thought processes in the text because I am trying to demonstrate that a devotional time is a dialogue with God about what you are reading from His word. As such, any questions or ideas that you have should be explored by talking it out with God. These example devotions are not my attempts to teach you what the meaning of a particular scripture is. They are an attempt to teach you the process of devotions, which is a combination of prayer and Bible study where you explore ideas with God as you read His word.

But I say, Over so long a time the heir is an infant, he does not differ from a slave, though being lord of all; but he is under guardians and housemasters until the term appointed before by the father. Even so we, when we were infants, were in bondage under the elements of the world. But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, coming into being out of a woman, having come under Law, that He might redeem those under Law, so that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. So that you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, also an heir of God through Christ.

(Understanding the Text) Paul compares those who lived before Jesus came to children who have not grown up and must obey the rules set down by people outside of themselves, usually parents or guardians, but also pretty much any other adult who is around the child.  He says that those who came after Jesus have His Spirit inside of them to tell them right from wrong.  They act out of love for their Father.  They are not slaves, even though it was difficult to tell the difference before Jesus came.  They are sons of God, and do not have to earn that sonship because Jesus brought them in.

“Even so we, when we were infants, were in bondage under the elements of the world.”  What does bondage to the elements of the world mean?  After reading several commentaries and Bible versions, I think it means that this applies to both Jews and Gentiles and refers to the basic knowledge of good and evil that all humankind has.  Before Jesus, we did not understand deeply.  Everything was simplistic.  “Do this.  Don’t do that.  That’s bad.  That’s good.”  Also, I think it is Paul’s way of saying that there was more than just the law binding us before Jesus, just as more than just parents could command us as children. (Since this time, I have studied this more fully and believe that the elements of this world refers to supernatural powers, i.e. fallen angels, having some dominion over the world until Jesus took it back at the cross.)

(Revelation of God) Jesus came to be human so that He was born into this system of the law so that He could take us out of a system of unthinking obedience into a system of relationship.  We do not just obey as slaves, but as sons who know that they are loved.  The rules of morality have not changed, but our relationship to the rule giver is different and that makes us different.  We know that we are sons of God because He put Himself inside of us.  Now, He is part of us closer even than DNA. 

(Application / Prayer) My application for myself is that God has set me free of the elements of the world.  I still obey my Father because He is my Father, and He is perfect so that all of His commands for me are out of love and for my best interests.  I am a mature daughter who can make independent decisions and understand with clarity.  I don’t unthinkingly follow the winds of culture and society that blow every which way.  I view everything from the lens of my inheritance.  I am a daughter of God through Jesus’ love (the Father’s and Spirit’s love too), so the elements of the world no longer determine my reactions.  My love for God determines my actions. Help me to grow and mature and become the true daughter that You have already proclaimed me to be.