Originally published Wednesday, 26 April 2017.
Hello Beloved! As we continue our “Already Free” series we learn why it is so important to understand our identity in Christ. In today’s video we learn not only are we daughters of God, but that we are also His heirs. And freedom is our rightful inheritance! However, we must make the decision for ourselves to live as free daughters of God or we’ll only live as slaves to sin. So let’s receive all that Christ has for us by living like His daughters: valued, esteemed, and royal heirs to the Kingdom!
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for my identity as your loved and accepted daughter. Please strengthen me in any area of my life where I am not living out this truth. I love You. In Jesus Christ Name I pray. Amen.
Today our study leads us to discuss why our identity in Christ as His beloved daughters is more value than anything we could possibly do for Him. As we start chapter 4 of Galatians today we learn that if we are God’s children then that means we are also His heirs. In Galatians 4:7 we read:
“So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.” Galatians 4:7 NIV
If there is one clear message I hope you have received from this “Already Free” series it is that we do not need to work for our salvation, but that we are saved by grace through faith alone.
Not only are our sins wiped clean, not only are we accepted as God’s daughters, we also receive an inheritance. We receive the righteousness of Christ.
When God sees us now, He also sees His Son. All the good that Christ did to fulfill the law has now been imparted to us as our good works.
So Jesus alone completely frees us from our sin and the punishment we deserve for it. But He also works for our righteousness and gives us its benefits. We receive His inheritance as both daughters and heirs. We can see this truth more clearly in John 8:31-36:
“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” – John 8:31-36 NIV
It’s funny because like the Jews here many of us are in bondage and slavery and don’t even know it. The world will tell you freedom is being able to do whatever you want but Jesus says freedom is abstaining from sin. He tells us all who have sinned are slaves to sin. We are born with this desire to go against God’s will. It is easier to follow our own desires than the will of God. So until we accept Christ in our lives we are bound to our own desires and wants. Maybe that doesn’t seem like such a bad thing. But the problem is there is so much more to our lives than our desires. Anyone can do what they want. But there is more: Jesus says He came that we may have life and life to the full (John 10:10). This full life is experienced in a relationship with Him. The thing is, we must turn from our ways and follow Him (His Way). There’s just one thing. Sin has a good way if getting in the way, but Jesus died to make a way.
You may be free to do whatever you want but can you use that freedom to live for Christ? Or has your physical freedom left you in bondage to sin? And as daughters of the Most High God freedom is our rightful inheritance. So let me ask you, are your living like a slave or a daughter?
Where a slave lives in lack a daughter lives in the fullness of God’s provision.
Where a slave works to pay off a debt a daughter lives in the security that her debt has been paid.
Where a slave has no inheritance a daughter has rights to all that is her Father’s.
Where a slave is incapable a daughter has power.
Now is the time Beloved to stop living like slaves and receive everything that is ours in Christ as Daughters of the King and joint heirs with Christ. Because we when understand we are God’s daughters we also understand that we don’t have to work for His affection or approval. It’s already ours.
There are so many times I just look at my kids and they bring me joy. They could be taking their nap or potty training or eating snack and my heart will fill with so much joy I feel like I can’t take it. Now they don’t pay any bills up in here, they don’t cook any means and guess what, they still take my breath away because they’re mine and that’s all that matters. They don’t have to give me anything ever and I would still give them everything I can.
And God has already given us His everything. His only Son on a cross even though we can’t give Him anything of value. Why? Because we are His daughters; loved, accepted, valued, highly esteemed, and royal heirs to the kingdom.
As we’ve been studying, the Galatians we’re feeling like they needed to rely on their works for God’s acceptance and not their position as children of God. So Paul had to remind them, you are children of God. You are accepted by God, not just as a servant or even friend but a child.
Paul not once in this entire letter tells the Galatians what they needed to do. He first reminds them of who God is, His promise to them, and now who they are in Christ. His Children. And the language that Paul uses here almost had me in tears because I just imagined myself in the place of the Galatians. Questioning if they were doing enough for God. Wondering if they could really ever be accepted by God.
Have you ever felt that way? Small, inferior, and not enough. But Paul reminds us: It’s not about what you do. It’s about who you are. And you Beloved are a child of the most High God. And that truth trumps anything you can ever even think about doing for God.
Now I want to hear from you today Beloved. In the comments I simply want you to write “I am a daughter of God” then I want you to go out and live like it!
If you enjoyed today’s message be sure to share it with a friend because you never know who might need some Beloved encouragement today. I post new encouragement every week so be sure join Beloved to have my weekly devotion “Hello Beloved!” delivered directly to your inbox. As always, thank you so much for reading and until next time be beautiful, be blessed and beloved.
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