WE ARE CHRIST'S FAMILY
- Key Verse
- "Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith." (Galatians 3:23-24)
READ THE PASSAGE
Central Truth
We are no longer under the custodial law. We have faith . . . we are Abraham's descendants.
Reflections
How glad I am to be an heir of Christ! He is my Father, a guide for my journey and full of grace. This grace-giving and faith-breathing type of parenting is what I believe we all desire to emulate."We are no longer under a custodian." John Piper gives a great definition of custodian in his sermon series on Galatians. "The word custodian refers to a servant of the family responsible to watch over the son, from the nursery to his entrance upon manhood. He governs the child's behavior until the child has the maturity to do what is right without external constraints. The 'custodian' or 'tutor' or 'schoolmaster' does not have the power to make the child's heart good, nor can he give the child his inheritance." The law provided direction and restraint, but then Jesus came.
I am glad for the years I was under my parents' custodial care. I was definitely kept from harm. As a parent myself, I enjoyed the early years of helping shape and lay out blueprints in the lives of my own children. Yet, I realize that it's the faith that I have in my Lord Jesus Christ, and not my own planning, that is key. My children are ultimately in His hands, not my plans. Only God can make their hearts good and only He is their precious inheritance. My flesh cries out against this at times, because it causes me to relinquish control to my Father. John Piper says it best, "If you don't have a heart to trust God and rely on mercy, the law will feel like a burdensome, offensive, deadening job description given by a harsh schoolmaster."
As I walk this faith journey, I pray that I totally embody all that it means to walk in faith. I want to trust God fully with my life as well as those that I love. I do not want to live a life full of do's and don'ts, but a life that is set free in knowing that I am Christ's, and His precious inheritance belongs to me.
Discussion Questions
- Is the law ever good to follow?
- We all believe in God, but do we believe God is faithful? Will He do what He says?
- What inheritance do you hope to leave to your family?
Comments
The views expressed under “Comments” are solely
those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Grace Community Church.
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Lori Shepherd
March 1, 2010 09:22 AM
Denise, Your devotion spoke volumes to me! It's neat to learn a little about the "personal" things about our church family, like your love of dogs, which I share greatly! Thank you for helping me remember today that I am a joint heir with Christ. That is an awesome feeling!
Ray Wall
March 1, 2010 12:22 PM
Denise, walking in faith is tough sometimes, but it sure drives the right behavior, huh? I know when we watched Chandler drive by himself last week for the first time, it caused us to trust and pray a lot more! Love you! Ray
Doug Quinn
March 1, 2010 08:57 PM
Denise, thank you for a beautiful devotion. I am thankful for you and Ray and the lives you have and continue to touch and make a difference in for eternity! Doug
vickie walden
March 2, 2010 07:50 AM
Denise, I know you say it's not always easy for you, but I have watched you and Ray live this passage in your parenting. Your devotional was precious and spoke to my heart! Love you, Vickie
Rod MacIlvaine
March 2, 2010 08:45 AM
Denise, Thanks for your devo this morning. I love this passage and the idea that God does everything he can to lead us to justification by faith. Rod
Evelyn Kennedy
March 5, 2010 12:43 PM
Thank you for the great devo. God has used you in so many ways. I appreciated your loving spirit and leadership in the last women's Bible Study group.