Slave or Heir?

So...how do I live? As a slave or as an heir? This was the question posed to me this morning in Galatians 4. Though at first I have to admit the concept is a bit confusing. After all, as children, regardless if we are heirs or slaves, we need to obey those in authority over us. Paul admits that himself when he writes:

1I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, 2but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.

So we still need to obey God. He is our authority, even as he is our Father.

4But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

But what makes the difference for us, is that we, as sons/daughters of God don't need to obey what we obeyed before. We are God's children.! Therefore we are NOT subject to the things of this world. To the sin and despair and the "ick". We are subject to GOD!

8Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. 9But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years! 11I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.

When we turn back to the old ways of doings things, then we are turning our backs on God. We are turning to things that are weak and worthless.

I have to admit, that as Hallowe'en approaches, I find myself wanting to dress my boy up for Hallowe'en just as all the other moms that I know well be doing. He has a costume, I have no problems with dressing up for this day. But I read these words and I find myself checking my attitude a bit. What's more important here? The dressing up for Hallowe'en, or God? I don't like my "I have to do this" attitude within. Because you know what.... I DON'T have to do this. I can choose to just stay home. :) I can choose to do other stuff, because what the world holds as important is not the same thing as what God holds important. This I must needs remember.

To have this attitude of "I have to" do this... dress my boy child up for Hallowe'en because every other mom is doing so is a sinful attitude and not worthy of a child of the King. Doesn't mean I can't do it, but I need to adjust my attitude first! Thus I stand convicted. I have to show the world that God's glory comes first.

And that I think will open up a whole new can of worms...how can I show God's glory in hallowe'en and the dressing up and the candy eating? That I will need to think on some more.