The Plumbline

But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir. (Galatians 4:4-7) Made his heir - I don't know how you feel about what you have 'inherited' in Christ Jesus, but it makes me feel pretty doggone great! It isn't monetary, or physical property, but what we have inherited in Christ Jesus is so much more valuable than anything else. Eternal life, being made right with God, that is what really matters and it is a gift we receive as a child of the King of Kings. Freedom is paid for with a price. That has been the 'mode of operation' since the beginning of time. There is no freedom without a...

The Father has loved us so much! This shows how much he loved us: We are called children of God. And we really are his children. But the people in the world don’t understand that we are God’s children, because they have not known him. Dear friends, now we are children of God. We have not yet been shown what we will be in the future. But we know that when Christ comes again, we will be like him. We will see him just as he is. He is pure, and everyone who has this hope in him keeps themselves pure like Christ. (I John 3:1-3) I have the rare privilege of being a child of God, adopted into his family, chosen to be his follower. How about you? Relationship with Jesus is the beginning of a life lived under different leadership - self no longer leading the way, but God's Spirit giving us direction. Some children have a birthright because they are 'born into' a family. Others are adopted into a family and know the love of the Father because he has chosen to give them a place within...