Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Independence Day
Galatians 4:1-6
Galatians 4:1-6
“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship”. Vs 4, 5
Independence Day, or ‘Fourth of July’, is an important day commemorating the Declaration of Independence of the United States, on July 4, 1776. It is a time of celebration for the blessings we experience through freedom.
The book of Galatians was one of Paul's most powerful epistles to the early church. Paul wrote this letter to warn them about the false teachings of certain Jewish-Christian teachers who were teaching the necessity of obeying the law of Moses to seek salvation, rather than through Christ. They also argued that Jewish believers had a superior connection with God and claimed that they had been following God for centuries.
Paul countered this argument by pointing out that the Galatians had been adopted into God's family, so neither Jews nor Gentiles were superior to the other after receiving salvation through Christ.
In chapter 4, Paul paints a picture to illustrate our freedom. He tells the Galatians that while they were once slaves to things that were "not gods", because of Jesus, they have been adopted by God and are now children of God. And as children of God, they can't continue to live like slaves. Paul invites the Galatians, and us, to enjoy our status as much-loved children of God, and live free. Paul states that the Lord did not make us like the “elemental things of the world”. He made us as His sons and daughters. Jesus died on the cross to redeem us and make us all adoptive sons and daughters of God. This shows how much God loves and values us. Under the law’s authority, Jesus did not go His “own way,” but yielded Himself fully to the Father, for us. This was done “so that He might redeem those under the law, so that we might receive the adoption” as sons of God (v. 5).
Let us give thanks to God for the blessing of living in a free country. But we should also admit to Him our dependence on His grace and mercy, as well as lifting up prayers for the healing of our nation.
Independence Day, or ‘Fourth of July’, is an important day commemorating the Declaration of Independence of the United States, on July 4, 1776. It is a time of celebration for the blessings we experience through freedom.
The book of Galatians was one of Paul's most powerful epistles to the early church. Paul wrote this letter to warn them about the false teachings of certain Jewish-Christian teachers who were teaching the necessity of obeying the law of Moses to seek salvation, rather than through Christ. They also argued that Jewish believers had a superior connection with God and claimed that they had been following God for centuries.
Paul countered this argument by pointing out that the Galatians had been adopted into God's family, so neither Jews nor Gentiles were superior to the other after receiving salvation through Christ.
In chapter 4, Paul paints a picture to illustrate our freedom. He tells the Galatians that while they were once slaves to things that were "not gods", because of Jesus, they have been adopted by God and are now children of God. And as children of God, they can't continue to live like slaves. Paul invites the Galatians, and us, to enjoy our status as much-loved children of God, and live free. Paul states that the Lord did not make us like the “elemental things of the world”. He made us as His sons and daughters. Jesus died on the cross to redeem us and make us all adoptive sons and daughters of God. This shows how much God loves and values us. Under the law’s authority, Jesus did not go His “own way,” but yielded Himself fully to the Father, for us. This was done “so that He might redeem those under the law, so that we might receive the adoption” as sons of God (v. 5).
Let us give thanks to God for the blessing of living in a free country. But we should also admit to Him our dependence on His grace and mercy, as well as lifting up prayers for the healing of our nation.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for creating us in the image of God and for redeeming us and adopting us as your sons and daughters.
Lord, thank you for creating us in the image of God and for redeeming us and adopting us as your sons and daughters.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“True freedom is not choice or lack of constraint, but being what you are meant to be.” St. Augustine
Rev. Manoj Idiculla - Diocesan/Bishop’s Secretary
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church