1) What privileges does an heir have? What responsibilities?
2) Who do you know? Who knows you? At what level of closeness are you known?
3) How do you define character? Is there consistency between your public and private life?
Consider what God does in our lives: We start totally lost as children of the devil (1 John 3:10). Next, He adopts us and brings us into His family (Ephesians 1:5). Then He gives us full rights as heirs (Galatians 4:7). How incredible! I must live differently knowing I am an heir to the throne of heaven.
In a passing phrase found in 4:9, Paul indicates that we know and are known by God. The word for “know” that Paul uses refers to a knowledge grounded on personal experience. Think of it. We have the opportunity and privilege to know God personally. Even more, the Creator of the universe knows us.
Character has been defined as who you are when no one is looking. In 4:18, Paul encourages being zealous for the faith, but challenges the notion of being inconsistent in this. Apparently, the Galatian church was on track and excited about their faith only when Paul was around. We must strive to have consistency between our public and private lives, especially when it comes to matters of faith.
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