Devotion 2: Sons, Not Slaves
Scripture: Galatians 4:6-7 (ESV) – “And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”
Reflection:
Imagine a child in a Roman household, an heir to a vast estate, yet treated like a servant under guardians until the appointed time. That was us—enslaved to the “elementary principles” of this world, whether the Law’s demands or the empty promises of sin. But when the time was right, God sent His Son, Jesus, born under the Law, to fulfill its requirements and bear its penalty. Through faith in Him, we are no longer slaves but sons, adopted into God’s family. The Holy Spirit in us cries, “Abba! Father!”—a reminder of our intimate relationship with God. Why would we ever return to the bondage of trying to earn what Christ has already secured?
Application:
Spend a moment today meditating on the phrase “Abba! Father!” What does it mean to you that God is not a distant judge but a loving Father? In your journal or a quiet moment, write down one way you’ve been tempted to return to “slavery”—perhaps through legalism, self-reliance, or old sinful habits. Confess this to God and ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of your identity as His child. Then, act like an heir today: show love, grace, or kindness to someone as an expression of your freedom in Christ.
Prayer:
Abba Father, thank You for making me Your child through Jesus. I am no longer a slave but an heir of Your promise. Help me to live in the freedom of Your love and to trust in Christ alone for my righteousness. Fill me with Your Spirit to walk boldly as Your son or daughter. Amen.