GALATIANS 4:1

“Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave, although he is owner of everything,” 

We have all probably heard of a story or two of some young child or infant who inherited a fortune from their parents. Although this child had all this wealth, he was far too young to know how to handle it. So, a guardian was placed in their lives to control the estate up until the time the child reached an age where they could make their own financial decisions.

Paul continues his thought from chapter 3 into chapter 4 (remember, there were no chapters and verses in the original letter he wrote). And in 4:1, Paul uses the analogy of a child heir. The word “child” used here is really an infant. Paul says he has no more control of his inheritance than the slaves who work for him. He is powerless even to make his own decision. But Paul is preparing to show that real freedom, real power comes through knowing Jesus.

APPLICATION

Think back to when you first came to Christ. Before you were saved, you were a slave to sin. You could not escape its snares and traps. Try as you might, you could not affect your spiritual future. Nothing you did was going to gain your salvation. You thought you were in control of your life, but you weren’t.

Let me carry this “baby” analogy a step further. When you came to Christ, you were freed from those bonds. Now what? You were free but totally uninformed on how to live. You were like a baby taking its first steps – a little unsteady. You were looking for anything to hold on to as you started walking in Christ.

I love how Peter says it in 1 Peter 2:2. “and like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,” That is the only thing that will give us the strength and knowledge we need to grow into adults spiritually – the Word. Are you going to it daily to get that “pure milk” it offers? Go to it today.

O Father, I know I will not reach full maturity in Christ until I see You face to face, but I long to grow more each day.