From Childhood to Adulthood

The goal of parenting is for our children to grow up to become responsible, self-reliant adults who can function on their own without parental supervision. We don't want our children to be dependent upon us for the rest of their lives, but capable adults who can make their own decisions and then follow through. But the false teachers at Galatia and the legalists of today want to keep their followers as little children, dependent upon them for life's choices. But believers at Galatia are not only children of God through faith in Christ, but they are sons of God through being adopted into God's family. And God wants to transform the 'children' into adult sons. He does so by doing two acts. First, He sent His Son into the world to redeem us who were enslaved to the 'elements of this world', the 'A, B, Cs " of human work-based religions so that we can be adopted as sons in His family. But God secondly sends for the Spirit of His Son into our hearts-- the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit! God's Spirit comes to live within us when we trust in Christ for our salvation! Every believer in Christ has within them the Spirit. The indwelling Spirit not only fulfills the promise Jesus made before His departure, but it also is one of the provisions of the New Covenant relationship. And because every believer has the Spirit living within, every one has within them a built-in spiritual guidance system! The Spirit of God always leads us into truth and according to truth. He never leads us contrary to God's Word. He is our resident teacher who enables us to understand the Scriptures. He always lead toward holiness of life, and away from sin.