16 December 2016
Galatians 4:4 – 7
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.
As a mother of two boys, when I read this Scripture I tend to key in on the “born of a woman” part. But I believe Paul’s overriding concern in the Galatians letter is the distinction between one’s relationship to God through faith in Christ as opposed to one’s relationship to God via the legal code.
I had a relative who thought “if you weren’t blood” then you were not 100% family. Her determination on that point made me angry when I was old enough to understand it. How could an adopted child not be as much – or more – of a family? And as I grew older, I came to realize that no amount of skilled debate or logic would change her mind.
As God’s children, we can choose if we are “in the family.” If we wish to be adopted. No legal documents needed. No DNA test. Nothing but our acceptance of God as our Father. The blood of Christ… given for you.