The Heiress of God

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During my bible study hour the other night, as I was working my way through Galatians, I stumbled across this passage:

1 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

- Galatians 4:1-7 NKJV

I want to personalize this verse to myself and my lady friends (although you gentlemen are more than welcome to make it more manly if you'd like).

"Therefore you are no longer a slave but a daughter, and if a daughter, then an heiress of God through Christ."

There are three points I'd like to highlight from this verse.

One, you are no longer a slave. That means sin no longer has power over you. Jesus died for you and I so that we are no longer effected by sin. That means the temptation of fitting in with the rest of the world is no longer relevant. It's like a get out of jail free card. Unfortunately, we don't always use this card.

Two, because of this sacrifice, you and I were accepted by God as his daughters. He welcomed us with open arms, regardless of the fact that we may be lost and confused and sometimes overly stubborn and proud.

Three, our God is the King of Kings. He's above all courts, powers and presidents. And by becoming his daughter, you've become a heiress of God. The same God who rules the world, the creator of all, put you into His will.

You know those stories, of rags to riches? The fairy tales where the poor, lost girl falls in love with a prince and lives happily ever after? (Admit it, you know every one of those fairy tales by heart and you couldn't break away from the TV or magazine spreads soaking in the royal wedding back in April) And all of a sudden she has this kingdom at her disposal - a court, riches, love, and so much more. But this what we have is so much better, because it's not an ordinary King, it's the King of all Kings.

Our minds can't even imagine the riches our God has in his possession that are readily available to us. And I don't necessarily mean material riches, I mean spiritual and emotional riches. But those riches and this power comes with responsibilities and obligations, part of which are summarized in the next chapter:

13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 

- Galatians 5:13-14 NKJV

Are you living a life that represents a heiress of the King of all Kings? Do you utilize wisely the riches in your possession? Do you take advantage of the name you carry and the power He has? Do you speak and act like the heiress of God? Do you treat others like your Father treats them, by being kind, generous and loving? Is your Father proud to call you His daughter?

Those questions have been running through my head ever since I read this passage. So I hope it inspires you to hold your head a little higher, to be a little bit more gracious and kind. Here's something Paul wrote in a letter to the Ephesians, that I leave with you:

14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints whatis the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

-Ephesians 3:14-21 NKJV