For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew no Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
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.
According to the Roman custom of the time children that were adopted were treated as equal to any natural born children. They each received an equal inheritance. This is unlike the Jewish custom in which the eldest received a double portion. Paul was using the Roman custom of equal heirs to make his point. Jesus made it possible for our adoption and thus we become equal heirs of God. It is through our faith in Jesus that solidifies our adoption. In Christ there is not one person or group that is greater, not one nationality, no one social or economic standing, nor one sex that differentiates us from one another. We are equal heirs.
Romans 8:12-17
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.
I am not a musician, nor do I consider myself knowledgeable in the realm of music. I do however consider music very power and actively use it in my time of worship. I often awaken in the morning with a song playing in my mind, the lyrics a prayer offered up by my spirit within. Recently the lyrics of No Longer A Slave produced by Bethel Music has filtered through my mind. Over and over again in this song we cry out that we are no longer slaves to fear but a child of God. This is so powerful and so important. We gentiles, though created by God were not heirs of God and his Kingdom until Jesus. Now everyone, every single one, can claim to be joint heirs, treated equally, if they just believe. It doesn't matter where we come from. It doesn't matter how much money we have. It doesn't matter if we're men or women. It doesn't matter if we have one leg or two. It doesn't matter. We are all joint heirs, adopted but equal. And because we are treated equally God is just as likely to rescue me as He would anyone else. He thinks that much of little ol' me. I don't have to fear what tomorrow will bring. I don't have to fear the unknown because if I need him, I can cry out "Abba, Father" because I am a child of God.
No Longer A Slave to Fear
You unravel me, with a melody
You surround me with a song
Of deliverance, from my enemies
Till all my fears are gone
You surround me with a song
Of deliverance, from my enemies
Till all my fears are gone
I’m no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God
I’m no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God
I am a child of God
I’m no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God
From my mothers womb
You have chosen me
Love has called my name
I’ve been born again, into a family
Your blood flows through my veins
You have chosen me
Love has called my name
I’ve been born again, into a family
Your blood flows through my veins
I’m no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God
I’m no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God
I’m no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God
I’m no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God
I am a child of God
I’m no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God
I’m no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God
I’m no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God
You split the sea
So I could walk right through it
My fears were drowned in perfect love
You rescued me
And I will stand and sing
I am the child of God
You split the sea
So I could walk right through it
You drowned my fears in perfect love
You rescued me
And I will stand and sing
I am the child of God (yes I am)
So I could walk right through it
My fears were drowned in perfect love
You rescued me
And I will stand and sing
I am the child of God
You split the sea
So I could walk right through it
You drowned my fears in perfect love
You rescued me
And I will stand and sing
I am the child of God (yes I am)
