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.

Don't give up

Holly at The Pastors Family has organized a pastor's family group at yahoo groups. It can be found here at thepastorsfamily.

This group was formed for the encouragement and edification of pastor's families. We are not denominationally oriented, we seek only to uplift each other through prayer. We DO ask that members be able to agree to the tenents of the Apostle's Creed or the Nicene Creeds. This gives us a foundation to agree upon.

So why do I tell you that?

Well.. because I wanted to, and also because it tied in well with what I read today in Galatians Six. In this chapter I read these words:

1Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5For each will have to bear his own load.

6One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches. 7Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Did you see where it says what we need to do as part of a family?

We are to
- gently restore those who transgress (who are doing stuff they are not supposed to do)
- keep an eye on ourselves that we not be tempted (that we don't do wrong things)
- bear the burdens of others
- not think too much of ourselves
- test what we do
- share good things with those who teach us
- know that what we sow, that we also reap
- not grow tired of doing what is good and right, giving up should not be an option
- do good...especially to other believers.

I read this list and I thought of a couple of things.
1. the encouragement I receive from other people of faith, even from people I scarcely know, and they take time out of their busy days to stop and encourage me! Sometimes via my blog, sometimes just in the course of daily living. People stop and they encourage me to keep on, keeping on. THAT IS SO COOL! and.... very biblical! :) Such a huge blessing that I think that people often forget. :)

2. Finding myself wanting to do the same, to encourage other folks to keep on keeping on, even when they are tired and just want to quit.... giving up is not an option! Consider that what we reap, that we also sow. If we give up.....what are we looking for? God tells us, don't give up. Continue doing good. Continue to help each, bear burdens, entreat the wayward to repentance, and to keep an good eye on what we ourselves are doing.

This weekend my hubby was SO encouraged by the people we visited with after Sunday service. He had a classical appointment in Kingsville, some 2.5 hours away from us. Such a seemingly small thing they did. First they invited us for coffee after church...Flo was a wonderful hostess...let me wander and snoop throughout her house. We had a nice visit talking about a whole host of things.

Then after luncheon, as we were preparing to head off, they stopped and PRAYED with us/for us before we left. Just so cool. Jim wasn't asked to pray, they just up and offered prayer for us before we left. Such a small thing, but what a huge encouragement to my hubbie and me.

So let's go out and do likewise. Let's find small ways that we can encouragement, and gently lead others to repentance, and show the world what Christian family is all about. Wouldn't it be neat if we all did that? Just imagine what God would do! :)