MATURE IN THE SPIRIT AND TAKE CHARGE

MATURE IN THE SPIRIT AND TAKE CHARGE

TO THE BIBLE: Galatians 4:1-2

“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.”

LET’S TALK

Notice that the scripture above doesn’t say, “the heir, when he is a child”; rather, it says, “the heir, as long as he is a child….” The reference isn’t to an infant in terms of age; the Apostle Paul is dealing with maturity here. The word “child” is translated from the Greek “népios,” which means someone who’s a child mentally and spiritually, that is, a child in understanding, wisdom, and, most importantly, communication–one who hasn’t yet learnt to communicate rightly.

Secondly, the word translated “servant” means “slave.” Thus, an heir, as long as he’s a “népios” (immature) is no different from a slave, though he owns the entire inheritance. He’ll be buffeted by the crises and adversities of life until he comes to maturity and learns to exercise dominion over circumstances and negative forces. True, the Lord Jesus has saved us and made us one with Himself. He’s brought us out of darkness into His marvelous light, and made us associates of the God-kind. We’re heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). However, until and unless these and other results of His vicarious sacrifice on your behalf become your present-hour consciousness, you’ll live as a victim in life. God’s will for you is to live triumphantly every day by His Word and through the power of the Holy Spirit.

No wonder He says, “…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…” (2 Peter 3:18). He wants you to come up to maturity so you can tame circumstances and exercise dominion over satan, sickness, defeat, sin, poverty, and all the works of darkness. He wants you to control your life and circumstances through His Word; that’s His will and grace for your life. So, grow up, be in charge, and in control!

Go Deeper

Ephesians 4:11-14; Galatians 4:6-7

Pray

Dear Father, I thank you for teaching, equipping, strengthening and training me in righteousness to live in victory and dominion over the elements of this world, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.