“I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”
Galatians 4:1-7 ESV

There is this tendency to revert to old patterns that we all fall into from time to time. We also may divert our efforts more toward a works mentality rather than abiding in grace. Paul has to address both in this chapter with the Galatian church. He even goes so far as to say that he is perplexed by them in verse 20. It is as though they have forgotten their status as heirs and children of God. Somehow, in someway, they have become wrapped up in the old self again, and are focusing on those old efforts and trying to integrate them in with their current life. And so Paul must come back in and set their minds and hearts straight.

They have forgotten their adoption, and sadly, sometimes we do, too.

What causes is to forget the best thing we’ve ever experienced? What makes us forget our ‘Gotcha Day’ with God? Why would we want to revert to old patterns, and old problems? Is it because we grow complacent? Is it Stockholm syndrome? Are we identifying with our previous captor, rather than remembering our freedom? Thinking that this can’t all be true, we revert to what must be reality. Forgetting the joy placed in our hearts, we think all we’re good for is what we used to be. And so the doubts in our hearts and the whispers of the the enemy creep in, sowing seeds of discord and self-doubt, and we push away from the table of grace. ‘It’s too good, this can’t possibly be for me.’

And sadly, we forget our adoption, even if it’s just for a moment or two. We, like children born in poverty, gather and hoard, doubting the consistency of the goodness being shown to us, and we become content with temporary comforts rather than in the arms of the One who provides it all.

Keeping our hearts, eyes and minds focused on Jesus, we can remain free from these old chains rather than wrapping them once again around our wrists, ankles and necks. Focusing on the Father, we will remember the great love shown to us and the grace so richly lavished. Focusing our heart on the sound of the Spirit’s whisper, we will remember then indwelling promised and the true comfort of the position afforded us by this grace-filled adoption.

Eyes on what matters, heart remembering His goodness, we can move forward as heirs. Not in our own strength or power, but in His and His alone.
And when we do trust, and when we do remember, and when we do believe as we once did, we will see what glorious relief comes from living, abiding, in that faith-laden trust. And that life lived in faith stands in such stark contrast to the life lived by self that as we, out of love and thanksgiving, step out and GoLove others in the Name of the Father, we share and serve and teach and equip others to do likewise from a place that so completely points toward this change, this shift, this joyous news that we are now His! We don’t look like everything else and everyone else, and it’s all because of Him! I grace we are changed, loved, redeemed and made new. In grace we are heirs with Christ and have absolute, unbending hope in His promises.

In our world of doubt and uncertainty, this is the prize worth having. Don’t forget your adoption, revel in it instead.