“Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Galatians 4:1-7 (NKJV)
Child / Slave:
In the worldly order the child of a rich man, even though he has inherited everything that belongs to the father, he cannot enjoy the full benefits; because he is under age and got to be below a guardian appointed for him. So there is no deference between him and a slave in that house of the rich man. This apply to our spiritual life in the Lord Jesus: if we do not mature and understand all the benefits we have in Christ Jesus, we cannot enjoy much, but end up losing a lot. This is the reason many are suffering and are not able to come to their full potential.
Spirit of God’s Son:
How are we maturing into adulthood is by receiving the Holy Spirit of God’s Son into our hearts and speak in tongues and prophecy over our lives. This is the maturity Jesus told his disciples to get quickly and they too obeyed and received soon after Jesus ascended to the Heaven. Once we have received the Holy Spirit, it is our job to act like sons and daughters and walk accordingly; because we are not small children anymore, so that we need someone to take care of us. We should be in a position to lead our life well according to the Word of God by practising all that we learnt and to help others in need of spiritual guidance. In this way we will be trusted by our Father and will be given more responsibilities to accomplish for the Kingdom of God to be established here on earth.
“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” Romans 8:12-17 (NKJV)