Galatians 4
Scripture
Galatians 4:6-7
"Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “ Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.”
Observation-What does it say?
Paul continues to admonish the church in Galatia, that righteousness comes through faith in Christ alone. It is not by works or upholding the law, but rather, the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. It's a transformation that occurs from the inside out.
Understanding-What does it mean?
It's about Christ's sufficiency, not our self sufficiency.
The last 2 chapters of Galatians basically spoke on the sufficiency of Christ that enables us to live for Him because we are unable to do it on our own. In this chapter, we are reminded that we are adopted as His children. We are no longer slaves to our former selves or sin nature, but rather God's adopted child, made new and clean in His sight, just as Jesus was. In addition to the benefits of being part of His family, we also inherited His Holy Spirit as a deposit into our hearts. We were given His Holy Spirit and are being molded into Christ's image not by our own efforts, but His.
“Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 NIV
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV
God alone is good. His grace and power is sufficient. It is our weakness (or dependence on Him), that makes us strong.
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV