Galatians 4:7 Why you are no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. I. NO INHERITANCE WITHOUT SONSHIP. Spiritual blessings are only for those who are in a spiritual condition. 1. The lower orders of creatures are shut out from gifts which belong to the higher forms of life because they are so organized that these cannot enter into their nature. 2. So the soul must be adapted to the enjoyment of spiritual salvation. 3. The final inheritance depends on character. To possess God for ever we must love Him for ever. II. NO SONSHIP WITHOUT A SPIRITUAL BIRTH. 1. We are sons in some sense by nature. 2. But we become spiritual sons by grace. III. NO SPIRITUAL BIRTH WITHOUT CHRIST. 1. The very figure shows us that the process of becoming sons does not; lie within our own power. 2. Christ has come to give the spirit of adoption and regeneration. IV. NO CHRIST WITHOUT FAITH. 1. Ceremonies are nothing. 2. Trust in Christ is everything. (A. Maclaren, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.WEB: So you are no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. |
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