An Heir Child (Gal 3: 4:1, 4:1-31)

“Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all” (Gal 4:1).

Webster defines the` heir` as:

“The man who succeeds, or is to succeed another in the possession of lands, tenements and hereditaments, by descent; the man on whom the law casts an estate of inheritance by the death of the ancestor or former possessor; or the man in whom the title to an estate of inheritance is vested by the operation of law, on the death of a former owner”

According to the above scripture, a child may be entitled to an inheritance, but as long as s/he remains a child, s/he would continue to live his/her life just as a slave does. Does this have to do with the ignorance of the child or his/her physical growth? This has to do with both. If a child is unable to grow and develop normally, s/he would still have to be in the care of his/her care givers or trusted masters until the end of his or her life, otherwise, his/her heirship would be useless.

Also, if a child grows to adulthood but fails to learn or understand that s/he is an heir, s/he would be robbed of their heirship. This is why scriptures read that “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children” (Hos 4:6). These explain why an heir child is not different from a slave.

For us to be able to appropriate our inheritance as heirs, we need to both grow and develop. Our growth and development is influenced by both nature (hereditary) and nurture (environment or where people are brought up). We may have little or no power over the nature, we ought to access the environment to our advantage to reach our maximum potential. We may have to do very little (responding to the call of God) to be born again, but to mature in Christ is dependent on us. We must place ourselves in environments that are conducive for our complete development. We would be able to do this through diligent study of the bible, being part of Christian fellowship, prayer, among others. If not, we shall be subordinated to others, just like a slave, until we mature.

A Guardian and an Heir: the Law and the Christian

Concerning an heir child, he is put “… under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father” (Gal 4:2). The father of the heir child, before his death or absence, appoints a representative and specifies the age at which he (the heir) should have the right to his inheritance or property. This is clearly stated in a will or by an oath. When the age stipulated by the father is due, the heir child is set at liberty and have every right to enjoy his rights and privileges. Paul argues that the Mosaic Law was given by God as our tutor/master or guardian to instruct us and to bring us up until the time appointed by God for us to possess our inheritance. It (the law) was not meant to hold us captive forever. It was to lead us on until the appointed time (Gal 3:24-25).

The Appointed Time

Paul further contends that the time of our liberation that God fixed in His testament (Deut 18:15-18, Acts 3:22) is come. This is evidenced in scriptures as it is written that: “.. when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons”(Gal 4:4-5). This means that the incarnation of Christ Jesus, our Lord, marked the end of our adherence to the law, and our time to receive our full sonship as heirs has already begun under Christ. Christ has redeemed us from the trusteeship or the tutorship, which is the law. We have now been set free from the bondage of the law. We are mature under Christ, for the fullness of the time has come for us to leave the law of Moses behind. Jesus Himself confirmed this when He said that all the law and the prophets prophesied until John the Baptist (Mat 11:13, Lk 16:16). The law and the prophets were only our tutors until Christ. They have, therefore, given way to Christ.

Paul further contends that the time of our liberation that God fixed in His testament (Deut 18:15-18, Acts 3:22) is come. This is evidenced in scriptures as it is written that: “.. when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons”(Gal 4:4-5). This means that the incarnation of Christ Jesus, our Lord, marked the end of our adherence to the law, and our time to receive our full sonship as heirs has already begun under Christ. Christ has redeemed us from the trusteeship or the tutorship, which is the law. We have now been set free from the bondage of the law. We are mature under Christ, for the fullness of the time has come for us to leave the law of Moses behind. Jesus Himself confirmed this when He said that all the law and the prophets prophesied until John the Baptist (Mat 11:13, Lk 16:16). The law and the prophets were only our tutors until Christ. They have, therefore, given way to Christ.

Witness of the Transaction; the Holy Spirit

Adoption of children under Roman law required a witness. So having become full-grown heirs in Christ as adopted children of God (Gal 4:6-7), who is the authorized witness in this transaction? Concerning the Spirit´s witness, it is recorded that:

“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Rom 8:15-17).

It is detailed that if any does not have the Spirit of Christ, s/he does not belong to Him (Rom 8:9). As written above, as many as have this witness of the Spirit in them are the heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. This means that we share God´s inheritance with Christ Jesus. Being co-heirs with Christ, we need to continuously endeavor to discover and rediscover through the Spirit, the riches of our inheritance in Christ. This is Paul´s prayer for the church when he prays that “the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints” (Eph 1:18).

It is not enough to be an heir, but we need to understand what it takes to be one, so as to walk according to our office and calling in the kingdom of Christ (Eph 4:1). We ought to mature in the things of God and speak as children of God. Apostle Paul understands this as he shares with us that when he was a child, he spoke as a child, understood as a child, thought as a child: but when he became a man, he put away childish things (1Co 13:11). We shall continue to be slaves to many things (including sin, devil. Law and fellow humans, etc) unless we see our current elevated position in Christ.

It could be concluded that the law is good (1Ti 1:8-9, Rom 7:12) as our master, but it is not intended to bring us salvation (Gal 3:11). Christ, the Lord, is the only means of our salvation (Acts 4:12).

Prayer: May our good Lord, enlighten you to understand scriptures and empower you to live by them. In Jesus’ name. Amen and Amen!

God Remembers You: Mephibosheth (2Sam 4:4, 9:1-13, 21:7)

This week´s edition of our newsletter details God´s intervention in the life of a vulnerable person called Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth, though an heir, was forgotten by men, God still remembered him when his time was due.

“And Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth” (2Sam 4:4).

Mephibosheth was not born lame or disabled, but he became one when he was a young boy. Disability or unfortunate situation do happen to both the born and the unborn. This explains why it is important to respect all persons irrespective of what they have or what they do not have. We should not disrespect people on the basis of who they are or who they are not in society. When people are referred to by their weaknesses, vulnerabilities or disabilities, it does violence to them. This was the situation of Mephibosheth. His name could not be mentioned without referring to his disability, as one could read from 2Sam 9:1, 3, 13. It is wise to address people appropriately with a sense of human dignity. How would you like to be treated if you were a physically challenged person?

It is believed that Mephibosheth had a feeling of disappointment, rejection and exclusion by virtue of his disability, but God still had good plans for him. We read from the scriptures that:

“… the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet” (2Sam 9:3).
If David was able to remember the Lord´s oath between him and Jonathan (2Sam 21:7), we ought to understand that God is more righteous to remember His oath which says that “..he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb 13:5). We are always on His mind. As He told Abraham that He has sworn by Himself that He would bless him and make his name great, and that he would possess the gates of his enemies(Gen 22:15-17).

Patience; a requirement

What is required of us is our patience. Mephibosheth did not commit suicide because of his challenges. We need to endure and wait patiently on God. It is said that after Abraham had waited or endured patiently, he obtained the promise (Heb 6:13-16). Being descendants of Abraham, we inherit the promises God made to him (Gal 4:14).

Restitution

“And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am? Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master’s son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house” (2Sam 9:7-9).

All that Mephibosheth lost as an heir was restored unto Him by the king, and he was mandated to eat at the king´s table. God is making restitution for his children. He says “.. I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you” (Joe 2:25). When God´s time to act on your behalf comes, everything you have lost would be restored to you in hundred folds, with interest. When God remembered Job, He restored to him double of all that he had lost (Job 42:10).

God will restore to you your riches, your joy, your health, your marriage and children and your favor, as well as your anointing and all that pertain to you in due time.

Prayer: May God remember you and restore to you all that you have lost. May He lay a table before you, in the presence of your enemies, according to His word. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen!