Our Position in God’s Family

(Gal. 3:6-9, 23–4:7)

God’s people as “slaves” under the law

Paul was speaking here of sonship in ancient Rome. In Roman law sons were raised under their
father’s power which was known as patria potestas. Patria potestas was the father’s power of
absolute possession and control over a family member. Until an “appointed age” a son was no greater
than a slave in his father’s eyes and the son was placed under guardians/stewards/custodians/
supervisors/pedagogues/schoolmasters/tutors appointed by the father in order to teach him “the ways
of his father” and proper moral conduct. In Gal. 3:24, Paul stated that God’s children, the Jewish
people, were likewise placed under a tutor, which was the law. They remained under this tutor until
the “fullness of time”(Gal. 4:4) when Jesus was born, lived, died and was resurrected, whereafter
“faith came”(Gal. 3:23-25).

Adopted “Sons of God” through faith in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:26)

In ancient Rome a father adopted a child by paying for him. The price for our adoption was paid in
full with Jesus’ death on the cross. Once a father chose to adopt a child there followed a ceremony
called vindicatio. The adopting father went to the praetor, one of the Roman magistrates, and
presented a legal case for the transference of the person to be adopted into his own household. After
the vindicatio ceremony the adoption was complete. The American Heritage Dictionary says that the
word “vindicate” means, “To clear of accusation, blame, suspicion, or doubt with supporting proof.”
If we choose to accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, then we will be cleared of any accusation of sin
and of its accompanying consequence, eternal death.

We become “Sons of God” through our faith, receiving the Spirit of Christ in our hearts (John 1:12,
Gal. 4:6, See Rom. 8:14-16)

The Promises/Benefits of Adoption

A new father: The adopted person lost all rights in his old family and gained all the rights of a
legitimate son in his new family. In the most binding legal way, he got a new father.

The right to call God Abba (“Daddy”) (see also Matt. 6:9-10, Rev. 21:7)

Heir: It followed that he became heir to his new father’s estate. Even if other sons were
afterwards born, it did not affect his rights. He was inalienably co-heir with them. (Gal. 4:7,
Rom. 8:17, Heb. 1:2, Jesus heir of “all things”)

Heirs of the kingdom (James 2:5, Matt. 25:31-34)

Heirs to His suffering and glory (Rom. 8:17)

Heirs according to God’s promise of blessing to Abraham (Gal. 3:29)

Heirs of eternal life (Titus 3:7, Matt. 19:29, Isa. 25:8)

 A life free of hunger, thirst & pain (Rev. 7:17, 21:4)

Heirs of God’s eternal counsel (Heb. 6:17)

Husbands and wives are co-heirs (1 Pe. 3:7)

Forgiveness of Debts: In law, the old life of the adopted person was completely wiped out; for
instance, all debts were canceled. He was regarded as a new person entering into a new life with
which the past had nothing to do.