Lesson 39 September 8, 2002

4:6-7 The Result of Adoption - intimate relationship

Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"

What about this into our hearts what's in view here?

- The more of the DVPT of life (BD) that you know and understand; the greater the power and influence of the Holy Spirit in your life resulting in a greater capacity for life.

Summary 4:6

1. As a result of our being placed as adult sons, having been adopted God gives to each believer the Holy Spirit as a badge or sign of the transaction. [Sons and heirs]

2. This places each of us as Church age believers in a new and different relationship with God than was possible before.

3. Because we are adopted sons with the indwelling Holy Spirit we have access and we are able to come to Him with boldness and confidence. Eph 2:18; 3:12

4. Know that as a believer, an adopted son, having the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, being plus DVPT - doctrine we have the provision and are able to orient within our niche and have the impact in time that we ought to have for Him.

5. All of this flows to us because of our position in Christ, our relationship with Him in whom we are complete.

4:7 Summary of this exhortation and Doctrine to the Galatians

Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

you are no longer a slave no longer under bondage, enslaved

Summary 4:7

1. This is Paul's exhortation to point out the contrast between their previous status during the time of their being a minor child under the Law and the reality of their new status as adult sons and heirs in Christ.

2. It establishes the foolishness of contemplating a return for any reason to their previous status of slavery under the Law.

3. Paul has also made it crystal clear that this new position we have as sons and heirs is NOT secured by keeping the M/L or any other system of law devised by man.

4. Summary of the Theological Argument against Salvation by Works.

a. Justification is not possible from law keeping 2:16-21.

b. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is not from law keeping 3:1-5. [Rom 8:9b]

c. Redemption is from the curse of the Law as well as the enslavement to it 3:10-14; 4:5.

d. The Promises flowing from the Abrahamic Covenant are greater than the law.

- promises are unconditional while the law is conditional.

e. The law's purpose was to define sin so that mankind could clearly see their need of a Savior 3:22-28.

f. That we are sons and heirs is not from law keeping 3:29-47.