royalty

Galatians 4: 4-7 - "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are songs, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba, Father!' So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God."

I am beginning to grasp the identity that I am daughter of God - and a princess.

I really like this passage in Galatians. The first word, but, is a key that the next statements are a contrast to what was previously being discussed. In this chapter, Paul was discussing the way we were enslaved to the world. After God sent His Son to rescue us, though, that identity changed. No longer are we unable to access the blessings and riches of God - we are heirs through God.

I think that one of the coolest aspects of this picture - of God being King and me being a princess through adoption - is that it has nothing to do with me. I am worthy not because of anything I have done, but simply Who my Father is. During the medieval time period, in battles, the victor took his defeated opponent's title.A king was placed in power because he defeated the guy who was before him. The king's children, then, became royalty only because of their father's success.

I have done nothing to deserve or achieve the status as a daughter of the Most High God. I cannot earn my position or my identity. In fact, on my own, I deserve nothing, for I have failed to live up to the commandments God set forth. However, He, in His great love, chose to adopt me - which cost Him greatly, by the way - in order to give me this privilege of eternal life and joy in Him. As I see His love for me, my response is obedience, not in obligation, but in love. I serve a God who would rather die than be without me, and He calls me His own. I want to more fully live in that identity, which would not only change how I respond to God's will for my life but also how I would treat other people, if I can see them the same way.