December 16, Galatians 4:1-7
By Robert Crouch, Black Christian Singles of Missouri President
Recently I accepted a job that required a move to another s
tate. During the new employee orientation process, I was asked to designate a beneficiary of my life insurance policy. For some reason, this routine process caused me to think seriously about making such a designation. Although I have done it before, the process seemed to generate much thought and consideration. I wanted to make sure I selected someone who would use the proceeds responsibly.
This scenario served as a reminder of our heavenly entitlement. God designated each of us as beneficiaries of His love and mercy. Through Christ, we are liberated from the bondage of sin and death.
Paul challenged the Galatians to move away from being slaves trapped in the bondage of sin. He encouraged them, instead, to claim their entitlement as God's heirs, free from sin.
During the Christmas season, I am especially reminded of the perfect gifts God has given us. God gave us Jesus Christ, His only Son, as a sacrifice for our sins. What love the Father has shown us that while we were sinners Christ died for us — such an expression of grace and mercy. God showed compassion in that while we deserved death, God's mercy allowed us a second chance.
God's grace designated us as the beneficiaries of an eternal promise. He granted us pardon through a relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ. If that wasn't enough, God promised us His Holy Spirit. Daily we have the Spirit's presence in our lives. God's spirit empowers us to represent Him in a meaningful way as we walk in the power and authority of God's love. What a privilege it is to know Him and to receive such an excellent bequest of grace and mercy.
Christmas should be celebrated because God gave us the greatest gift of all, His Son. The Child, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger, saved us from the bondage of sin and made us heirs of a loving God.
