380. Paul's Concern for the Galatians - Galatians 4:1-20

380.


Sonship in Christ
1.

Today's Passage: Galatians 4:1-20

Get to know your bible. It will become a good friend.

Or find the passage NASB version on Bible Gateway here.
You can search for other versions there as well. Versions even in foreign languages.

Or, for your convenience I have typed the verses below from the
New Living Testament (NLT).

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2.

Thank You for meeting me, LORD.
I welcome you into this place.
Please prepare my heart Jehovah.
Thank you for insight.

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1. Think of it this way. If a father dies and leaves an inheritance for his young children, those children are not much better off than slaves until they grow up, even though they actually own everything their father had.
2. They have to obey their guardians until they reach whatever age their father set.
3. And that's the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles of this world.

4. But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of woman, subject to the law.
5. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.
6. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, "Abba, Father."
7. Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.

8. Before you Gentiles knew God, you were slaves to so-called gods that do not even exist.
9. So now that you know God (or should I say, now that God knows you), why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world?
10. You are trying to earn favor with God by observing certain days or months or seasons or years.
11. I fear for you. Perhaps all my hard work with you was for nothing.
12. Dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to live as I do in freedom from these things, for I have become like you Gentiles ⏤ free from those laws.

You did not mistreat me when I first preached to you.
13. Surely you remember that I was sick when I first brought you the Good News.
14. But even though my condition tempted you to reject me, you did not despise me or turn me away. No, you took me in and cared for me as though I were an angel from God or even Christ Jesus himself.
15. Where is that joyful and grateful spirit you felt then? I am sure you would have taken out your own eyes and given them to me if it had been possible.
16. Have I now become your enemy because I am telling you the truth?

17. Those false teachers are so eager to win your favor, but their intentions are not good. They are trying to shut you off from me so that you will pay attention only to them.
18. If someone is eager to do good things for you, that's all right; but let them do it all the time, not just when I'm with you.

19. Oh my dear children! I feel as if I'm going through labor pains for you again and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives.
20. I wish I were with you right now so I could change my tone. But at this distance I don't know how else to help you.
Galatians 4:1-20 NLT

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3.

11th strategy.
Reading... Simple Act of Meditation

• Take this time to read the passage one time through.
• Then go back and read every verse separately.
• After reading one verse just close your eyes and think about the words for a few seconds. When you are no longer considering the sweetness of God's word to you, move to the next verse.
• Continue through the passage.
  • Loving HIM is the goal.
  • Getting to know HIM is the goal.
  • Allowing Him to take your day and use you in this day is the goal.
  • Finding the sweetness He desires to impart is the goal.
• Thank God for coming and bringing his Holy Presence into your day.
  

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4.

Thank you for coming today.
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And remember,
I pray for you every day.
And I will be back here tomorrow,
I hope I will see you here too.
~Robyn

Robyn & Biff Cox
RR&BC, LLC ©2016

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