Son or Slave ? {Monday Manna}

Today, I’m linking up with Joanne at An Open Book for Monday Manna, which offers fellow bloggers the opportunity to share their thoughts, insights, poems, or devotionals that relate to a specific verse posted at her blog. The verse we were asked to chew on was Galatians 4:6-7.

And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Galatians 4:6-7 NKJ

As I thought on this verse a couple of things came to mind. (1) The difference in motivation of servitude between a son and a slave. A slave serves because he is obligated to do so but a son serves a Father out of love and respect. (2) The difference in benefits/wages between the two. A slave is often paid less than what he actually deserves but certainly he only earns wages for the work he has actually done. If no work, no wages.  However, a son is able to reap some rewards/benefits from his father simply because of the nature of their relationship. As a child of God, I can never do enough or be good enough to earn all of the many benefits that God has made available to His children.  I need not try to earn my salvation but just accept the wonderful gift.

Have you been busy serving on committees and involved in various ‘religious’ programs in an attempt to prove your worthiness of salvation or that you are ‘good’ Christian? To be actively involved in Christian service is admirable and is something I believe that we should do. But what motivates you to serve? If it’s anything other than love and obedience to the Father, perhaps you’re serving from a slave mentality.

What does that verse speak to you?