Galatians 4:4-7

What makes a family? To the Apostle Paul, this question surfaces in many of his letters.  Family, the people we allow into a deep sphere of influence, are granted access in our shaping. While familial roles have changed since this epistle’s publishing, all have a category for the kind of relationship God has granted us through a relationship with the Son. The person with a family is granting themselves access to shaping/molding. At the very least, the person's completion will be impacted by the involvement of this community “family.” With this in mind, the term “family” should be used with caution. It carries weight heavy enough that it should be mulled over. For the pastor preaching this epistle, one suggestion is to expound on “sonship” and serve insight into the “Abba-Son” relationship in Scripture.

What is the source that shapes God’s family? Another question that is equally important is, “What is the family member’s desired end?” These are the two questions answered in our epistle reading this week. For those of us who skim through these commentary readings, I will give away my answers in this brief paragraph and then use the remainder of this post to expound upon them. The Spirit of the Triune God is the Source of family shaping. The desired end is the fullness of life and communion with God throughout eternity. We who have been led by the Spirit remain with the Spirit for all time.

I am convinced that all pastors should highlight Scripture’s explicit portrayal of trinitarian language whenever they are given the chance. Our epistle reading provides that chance!  In these 4 verses, there is an interplay/relationship/ family present in the Trinity. It is God the Father who serves as the “Sender” and God the Son is the one Sent. The Spirit of God is abiding in Christ as well as the Heart of the Believers. When the Spirit is present in their lives, we are shown the result. The crying out of “Abba/Father.”  It is the title frequently used by Jesus when He lived out His earthly ministry here. As the pastor reflects on this interplay, they can rest assured that they are the direct beneficiaries of the Spirit’s power. If the Spirit of God is the Source of our right-related union with God, those who find themselves in churches in “Spirit-filled” denominations should harp on this verse. The Spirit of God has been granted access to the deep, formative spaces. It has authority over the way we live. The family of God can push against “families” of different sources. The Trinitarian God that is modeled in this passage invites the Christian into the family of God. 

At times, a family system’s way of relational operating can explicitly challenge economic rivals. The clearest example of this can be seen in the title “oius/son” Paul uses the term distinctly for a son rather than the child. While it is understandable why many translations go with “child” “son” may be a political statement made by Paul. Following his declaration of equality at the end of Gal. 3, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, Slave or Free, Male or Female, all are one in Christ.” In an explicitly patriarchal family, it is the son who inherits. In God’s family, all are heirs. Each one takes on the political identity of being a Son without losing their gender/racial identity. If you decide to make this point in your sermon make sure to highlight that the Gospel is not claiming men are closer to God, but that the promise of the eternal inheritance of life is available to all. God elevating others does not come at the demise of those enjoying the same relationship. The new heirs of the promise do not become half-hearted renditions of the old heirs. Rather, they find themselves in the same location. To operate under this relationship, the church of Galatia stands in opposition to who hold onto structures keeping entire groups of people down. All are elevated in this family. Assurance that we maintain our position as full family members is present in the same Spirit of God who called us to Godself. 

As heirs of the promise of God, we celebrate that we live in a uniquely “full time.” Enjoying all privileges and love as God’s people, and looking forward as our spirits testify to God’s promise. The pastor could easily focus on the time. God works within our limited medium, the medium of time, and creates sons and daughters through holy love. The Gospel of Christ is ours and is for all peoples through the fullness of time.