In the heart of Paul’s letter to the Galatians, we find a powerful truth: We are not just saved by faith—we are adopted into God’s family. Galatians 3:27 to 4:7 reminds us of this core identity. It’s a shift from striving to belonging, from rules to relationship, and from slaves to sons and daughters.

Faith, Not Law

Paul is writing to churches he helped establish, communities built on the message of Christ. But something has gone wrong. Others have come in, insisting that believing in Jesus isn’t enough—you must also follow the Jewish law. Paul won’t stand for this. He passionately argues that salvation has always been by faith, not by works. Not even Peter, the pillar of the early church, gets a free pass when he wavers on this issue.

Why? Because returning to the law after receiving grace is like putting chains back on after being set free.

Paul explains that the law had a purpose—it acted like a guardian, a placeholder until Christ came. Think of it like a substitute teacher: they’re not there to teach you the subject in depth, just to keep things in order. But now the real Teacher, Jesus, has come. The law could never save; it could only reveal our need for a Savior.

Clothed in Christ

“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ” (Gal. 3:27). This is more than a metaphor. In ancient times, clothing often symbolized identity, status, and belonging. Paul is saying, when you put on Christ, that becomes your new identity.

And that identity levels every human distinction. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Paul shatters cultural, social, and religious barriers in one breath. Our faith in Jesus unites us in a way no human system ever could.

This speaks directly to us today. In a world that loves dividing—by denomination, tradition, style, race, or background—Paul calls us back to unity. The only thing that matters is this: Are you clothed with Christ? If so, we are one. Period.

From Outsider to Heir

The Galatians were Gentiles—outsiders to the Jewish faith. They may have felt “less than” compared to the Jewish believers. But Paul says, “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring and heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:29).

This is revolutionary. It means you don’t need to be born into a particular tradition or fulfill certain rituals to belong. Faith in Jesus makes you a full member of God’s family, with access to the full inheritance.

In Galatians 4, Paul deepens this truth using Roman law. In Roman culture, a child couldn’t access their inheritance until they came of age. Until then, they were under the care of a guardian—functionally no different from a slave. But when the child matured, they received full rights.

This is the picture of our relationship with God. Before Jesus, we were like minors—bound under the guardianship of the law. But now, in Christ, we are no longer minors. We are of age. We are not just children—we are heirs.

Abba, Father

And here’s the most beautiful part: “Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’” (Gal. 4:6)

This isn’t just about legal status. This is about intimacy. Abba is the cry of a child—Dad, Papa. It’s raw, personal, close. We don’t just receive an inheritance; we receive the heart of the Father. And the Spirit in us reminds us of this, especially in moments when we feel unworthy or distant.

It’s tempting to base our identity on what we do—our ministry, our success, our discipline. But all of that can fall apart. What remains is this unshakable truth: We are children of God. That can’t be undone.

Live From the Inheritance

You don’t have to earn what’s already been given. You don’t obey to become a child—you obey because you are one. You don’t work for the inheritance—you live from it.

Let this truth sink deep: You are His. You are loved. You are clothed in Christ. And nothing can change that.