Episode 1081
How Do We Live as Children, Not Slaves? (Galatians 4:1–7)
The central theme of this podcast episode revolves around the profound transition from a state of legalism to one of liberating belonging, as articulated in the New Testament passage from Galatians. We explore how the Apostle Paul employs familial imagery to elucidate the transformative nature of adoption within the spiritual context, emphasizing that being embraced as children of God signifies a departure from servitude under the law to a dignified inheritance. Our discussion further delves into how this new identity fosters solidarity and shared resources within the community, challenging existing hierarchies that perpetuate marginalization. We also contemplate the practical implications of this understanding, encouraging listeners to engage in acts of kindness and support that reflect the ethos of an adopted family. Ultimately, we invite our audience to embrace their identity as beloved children of God, fostering environments of grace and belonging in their lives and communities.
Takeaways:
- The podcast emphasizes the importance of viewing the Bible from a progressive perspective, enhancing understanding.
- A key theme discussed is the transition from legalism to a liberating sense of belonging within faith communities.
- Adoption in the context of faith signifies shared inheritance and collective responsibility among believers.
- The podcast advocates for intimacy with God that promotes advocacy for social justice and community support.
- Listeners are encouraged to engage in practical acts of kindness that alleviate shame and support those in need.
- The daily reading invites reflection on the notion of being beloved children of God rather than mere servants.
Links referenced in this episode:
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available seven days a week by 6:00 am ET. The episodes are no longer than ten minutes long and are...
- Understandable: A reading from the New Testament (usually the Gospel) selected from the Revised Common Lectionary using "The Message" translation.
- Relatable: You will have a couple of "points to ponder" from the text which will relate to your life
- Applicable: Every episode includes a way you can take action based on the reading
- A recommended resource to help you go deeper in biblical study and spiritual direction.
- A prayer for your day.
A companion resource to the Voice of God Daily Podcast is the “ABC Bible Study Guide” available by clicking HERE.
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available every day at VoiceofGodDaily.com on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major podcast directories.
You can help Dr. Brad attain his goal of getting a bit of the bible into two million ears by subscribing to "Daily Bible Refresh" on Apple Podcasts, leaving a five-star rating, and writing a review. More importantly please share with your network of family and friends about the "Daily Bible Refresh".
Please make listening to the "Daily Bible Refresh" a part of your daily life.
Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)
Transcript
Hello my friend Dr. Brad Miller here with the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:This is your daily reading of the Bible from a progressive point of view.
Speaker A:In a bit I will read the New Testament lessons selected from the Revised Common Lectionary for this very day.
Speaker A:The reading is understandable.
Speaker A:I use the message version relatable.
Speaker A:Please listen to the points to ponder and applicable with action steps you can take.
Speaker A:We pray and are done in less than 10 minutes.
Speaker A:It's all brought to you by voiceofgoddaily.com which is the home of your free personal Bible Study Guide, the ABC1, 23 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A: lionaires a million people by: Speaker A:You can help by saving and subscribing to the podcast and tagging your friends.
Speaker A:Here's today's reading.
Speaker B:We're reading from Galatians 4:1:7 from the Message Let me show you the implications of all this.
Speaker B:As long as the heir is a minor, he has no advantage over the slave.
Speaker B:Though legally he owns the entire inheritance, he is subject to tutors.
Speaker B:And administrators until whatever date the Father has set.
Speaker B:For emancipation.
Speaker B:That is the way it is with us.
Speaker B:When we were minors, we were just like slaves, ordered around by simple instructions, the tutors and administrators of this world with no say in the conduct of our own lives.
Speaker B:But when the time arrived that was set by God the Father.
Speaker B:God sent his son born among us of a woman born under the conditions of the law so that he might redeem those of us who have been kidnapped by the law.
Speaker B:Thus we've been set free to experience our rightful heritage.
Speaker B:You could tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children because God sent the spirit of His Son into our lives, crying out, papa, Father, doesn't that privilege of intimate conversation with God make it plain that you are not a slave of but a child?
Speaker B:And if you're a child, you're also an heir with complete access to the inheritance.
Speaker B:Well friends, I just want to thank you for joining me for a few minutes as we explore a little deeper here about this passage.
Speaker B:Paul uses this image, a family image of before maturity.
Speaker B:And heir lives under tutors and administrators, which many people in the this day and age would be familiar with, more like a servant than a free child.
Speaker B:But there comes a time and when the transition happens, and the reading here is talking about when God sends Jesus born under the law to redeem us from being kidnapped by the law, so to speak, we can become fully adopted and the Spirit moves in us with an intimate cry, papa, Father, Daddy, we're not slaves, we're children.
Speaker B:And if children, then heirs with full access to the inheritance.
Speaker B:Look for the nuance shift here.
Speaker B:Let's explore three points to ponder Teaching points about this passage.
Speaker B:The first is about going from legalism to liberating belonging.
Speaker B:Paul contrasts being managed by rules with being embraced as family.
Speaker B:A progressive reading of this passage doesn't despise wisdom or boundaries, but it rejects religion that controls, shames or excludes.
Speaker B:Adoption means our core identity is belovedness, not performance.
Speaker B:Intimacy with God, Papa, Daddy, decenters, gatekeepers, and centers, grace that heals.
Speaker B:Communities shaped by this move will prioritize trauma, informed care, accessibility, and practices that say you belong before practices say you must.
Speaker B:A second point to ponder is that adoption creates new solidarity, not private privilege.
Speaker B:Heirs with full access is what it says here.
Speaker B:It isn't a personal upgrade, it's a shared inheritance.
Speaker B:If God's household is truly family, then resources, dignity, decision making are shared too.
Speaker B:That pushes us to dismantle hierarchies of sexism, racism, transphobia, classism that keep some under tutors, as it were, forever.
Speaker B:An adopted family learns to redistribute power, elevate marginalized voices, and make sure the household's abundance actually reaches those who need it most.
Speaker B:Another point to ponder.
Speaker B:The Spirit's cry becomes our public ethic.
Speaker B:The Spirit teaches us to pray this intimate prayer like Papa or Daddy, but also to protest what kidnaps laws and systems that trap people in shame, debt, or second class status.
Speaker B:Progressive discipleship pairs intimacy with God and advocacy for neighbors, healthcare access, worker protections, humane immigration policies, destigmatized mental health support.
Speaker B:The same spirit who comforts us all moves us to free each other from red tape and contempt.
Speaker B:Let's talk about an action step practice adopted family freedom.
Speaker B:Let me unpack that a little further.
Speaker B:Let's say it's in the area of intimacy.
Speaker B:Spend two or three minutes a day with a prayer, kind of like you might want to inhale like I am your child and exhale, set me free in love.
Speaker B:Inhale, I'm your child.
Speaker B:Exhale, set me free in love.
Speaker B:And solidarity is another aspect.
Speaker B:You ever do one freeing act for someone tangled up in shame or systems?
Speaker B:I mean, offering a ride for someone who needs a ride to the doctor's office or help in some way with a medical bill, maybe financial assistance, or might be helping someone untangle all the phone calls and insurance things that happen, or contribute to some mutual aid like a food pantry or some sort of a housing endeavor or accompany a friend to a hard meeting, you know, maybe like an AA meeting or something like that.
Speaker B:And ask yourself the question, maybe ask someone else.
Speaker B:What would help you feel less alone today?
Speaker B:Inequity.
Speaker B:If you have any influence in any kind of a group, church, workplace, politics, service of some kind, make some sort of a policy or practice more family like that is being benevolent and caring to someone.
Speaker B:Or help to alleviate some child care issues.
Speaker B:Or rotate leadership in your group so that everyone shares a voice.
Speaker A:We'Re going.
Speaker B:To close our time with a prayer here in just a minute, but I want you to know we have a wonderful resource for you to help you with your at home daily Bible study.
Speaker B:It's called the ABC 123 Bible Study Method.
Speaker B:You pick it up at our website voiceofgoddaily.com let's pray.
Speaker B:Oh God, Papa, God, Daddy God.
Speaker B:Thank you for calling us children, your intimate children, not servants, and for pulling us close when life and religion push us away.
Speaker B:Teach us to breathe in belonging and breathe out courage.
Speaker B:Where rules have wounded, bring repair.
Speaker B:Where systems have kidnapped, bring freedom.
Speaker B:Make our communities feel like family.
Speaker B:Gentle with struggle, generous with resources, honest about power.
Speaker B:Bless caregivers and patients, the overworked and overlooked and the ones on hospital floors and the ones on wooded trails.
Speaker B:Thank you for laughter of children because laughter is medicine.
Speaker B:Spirit of Jesus, cry out in us until no one is treated as less than a child of God.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker A:My friend, I am delighted you chose to join me for today's reading.
Speaker A:The daily Bible Refresh is completely listener supported.
Speaker A: on years, a million people by: Speaker A:I would be so grateful if you would go to voiceofgodddaily.com and share your gift of any amount.
Speaker A:Thanks much.
Speaker A:My name is Dr. Brad Miller and I'll be right here tomorrow with your daily Bible Refreshment.
Speaker A:Please subscribe and tag your friends until tomorrow.
Speaker A:Remember, God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.
