“So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”

- Galatians 4:7

I remember growing up dreaming of what I wanted to be as an adult. It’s almost like I was consumed by the thoughts of what I would do or be, and from that I would establish my identity. This was a tension that I struggled with most of my life. But then I met Jesus and placed my faith in him. And it is in him that I found my true identity. I admit, I still struggle with wanting to create my own identity and pursuing my own ambitions. At times I still lose sight of my new identity. But, Galatians 4 verse 7 helps me remember who I really am and who we become the moment we place our faith in Christ.

The thing that really strikes me about Paul’s focus in chapter 4 is the emphasis of being adopted and becoming a child of God. For me, it’s easier to grasp the concept of being justified before the Father and my relationship with God reconciled so that I would spend all of eternity in the presence of God. But that is not all that Jesus accomplished for me on the cross. Because of God’s love for me, I am adopted by God the Father and made a child of the Almighty. That signifies a greater intimacy in my relationship with God. To help put this into perspective a little more, think of it this way:  the angels and other heavenly creatures that are spoken of in Revelation will spend all of eternity in the presence of God singing praises and worshiping, but they do not have the privilege of being able to call the creator of the universe “Father”. That honor is only reserved and granted to those that have accepted the gift of salvation offered by our Lord, Jesus Christ.

As I mentioned, there are times when I struggle with maintaining this perspective, and I feel verse 9 is directed towards me far more than I like, where Paul is essentially saying, “What are you thinking?! Don’t you realize who your are? Don’t you realize who knows you? Don’t you realize to whom you belong?” I completely understand that prior to placing my faith in the incredible life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, I was a slave to the world and even to the Law/religion in thinking that I had to work towards my status or salvation. Just like when a child gets adopted today in our society, there is absolutely nothing the child can do to improve or enhance their new position within their adoptive family, there is no need for me to try and earn my place in God’s family. God looked into the vast “orphanage” we call Earth and said, “That one will be in My family. That one is Mine.”

There is no greater identity than to be called a “child of God”. There is no label that is more freeing. There is no status that is more comforting.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, I am so grateful that you have chosen to make me your child. Jesus, thank you for bridging the chasm to make my adoption into your family possible. Holy Spirit, help me to settle into this reality. Help me to lean into this truth so that I would not desire to be known as anyone else. In Jesus name I pray.

Marty Pina | Elder

Marty and Cecily began attending Hutto Bible Church in August of 2008. They both began living out their faith in 2003 while attending Gateway Community Church in Austin. They were married there in 2004. Marty serves in children's ministry, as a small group leader, small group coordinator and as a shepherd. Cecily has served as a C-group leader in student ministry in the past. She currently serves on the worship team and co-leads a small group and co-shepherds with Marty. Marty is currently employed as a network engineer for Time Warner Cable. Cecily is a medical billing software trainer for Brightree. They have two daughters, Alexis (19) and Zoe (8).