Living in a Relationship with God

Are you a Slave to Sin or a Child of God?

Galatians 3:26 (NIV)

26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,

How can you tell if you are a slave or a child?  A slave is afraid of God.

Galatians 4:4-7 n (NIV)

4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

Everything God has belongs to you if you are His child. God wants you blessed, so that you can be a blessing to others. 

1. A slave has a master, but a child has a father.  

Romans 8:15-16  (NIV)

15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

Your relationship with God changes your desire to obey Him. 

The slave is driven by duty.  The child is driven by devotion. 

Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 

39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.

40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 

42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”  

We can choose to be in a relationship with God. 

How to live in a Relationship with God as Father. 

Galatians 4:8-9  (NIV)

8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?

1. We must see God as our Father.  

Matthew 7:9-11  (NIV)

9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Our view of God will determine our relationship with Him. 

2.  We must approach God through our relationship with Him as Father not by rules.

John 5:39-40 New International Version (NIV)

39 You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

3. We must give to God our Father our whole heart. 

Jeremiah 29:13,  (NIV)

13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 

Our relationship with God as our Father changes everything.

Chris Hodges, Church of the Highlands

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/living-in-relationship-with-god