Christmas Brings Favor
By Touching Lives
“So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are His child, God has made you also an heir.” Galatians 4:7
If you want to understand the difference between religion and Christianity, it is found in Galatians 4:7. Religion is all about rules. In any religion to be right, to have a relationship with God, you have to keep the rules. Therefore, religion produces slaves. Religion produces rule-followers who are trying to earn favor. Religion operates on fear.
Christianity has nothing to do with rules. It is all about a relationship – the personal relationship of a child to a Father. Christianity produces sons. Christianity produces faith-filled children who are loved despite their failures. Christianity operates on grace.
Religion is about performance. Christianity is about position – you are the child of a Father who has lovingly adopted you. In Christianity, you are even more than a son. Galatians 4:7 says that we are heirs. Slaves inherit nothing; sons inherit everything. Christmas tells us that when you give your life to Jesus, He gives you all that He owns…and He owns everything.
So, are you celebrating Christmas as a slave or as a son? Have you personally entered into a relationship with Jesus through faith, or are you trying to earn God’s favor by obeying rules? Do you see Jesus in a manger, or on a cross…or does He live in you by His Spirit? There is only one way to have favor with God, and that is through the gift of His Son, Jesus.
Father, Thank You for making me an heir. In You, I have everything I will ever need and more than I could ever hope for or imagine. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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