Embracing Our Identity as God's Beloved Children

Summary

Paul’s words in Galatians 3:23–4:7 invite us to see the radical transformation that comes through faith in Christ. Before Jesus, all humanity—whether Jew or Gentile—was imprisoned under the law, living with a deep sense of right and wrong written on our hearts. Even if we never read the Ten Commandments, our consciences accuse and excuse us, revealing our guilt and our attempts to justify ourselves. The law, Paul says, was like a guardian or tutor, an external set of rules meant to protect and guide us until the coming of Christ. But the law was never meant to be the end; it was always pointing us to our need for a Savior.

With the coming of Jesus, everything changes. Through faith, we are no longer under a guardian. We are adopted as sons and daughters of God, clothed with Christ, and given a new identity. The old markers of identity—Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female—are no longer what define us. Instead, our identity is rooted in Christ and in the promise given to Abraham, now fulfilled in us. The law moves from being an external rule to an internal delight, written on our hearts by the Spirit.

Legalism, or the attempt to earn God’s favor by our own efforts, is a sign of spiritual immaturity. It is like a child still under a guardian, not yet realizing the freedom and inheritance that comes with adulthood in Christ. True maturity is not measured by spiritual resumes or outward achievements, but by a humble, dependent relationship with the Father. The Spirit within us cries out, “Abba, Father,” drawing us into intimacy with God.

The invitation is not to self-improvement or guilt-driven change, but to delight in the presence of God. Transformation comes not from shame or striving, but from enjoying and desiring God Himself. The gospel frees us from both pride and shame, calling us to rest in our adoption and to live as heirs—no longer slaves, but beloved children who find their joy in the Father.

Key Takeaways

- Every person, regardless of background or exposure to Scripture, lives under the weight of the law written on the heart. Our consciences both accuse and excuse us, revealing our deep need for a Savior. This universal experience of guilt and self-justification is God’s way of pointing us to Christ, who alone can set us free from the law’s demands. [47:24]

- The law was always meant to be a guardian, not a permanent solution. Like a wise caretaker, it protected and disciplined us, but its ultimate purpose was to lead us to maturity in Christ. As we grow in faith, the external rules of the law become internalized by the Spirit, transforming our desires and leading us to delight in God’s ways. [56:27]

- In Christ, we are given a new identity—clothed with His righteousness and adopted as sons and daughters. Our worth is no longer based on our performance, background, or social status, but on what Christ has done for us. This new identity frees us from shame and pride, inviting us to live as heirs of God’s promises. [01:01:12]

- Legalism and spiritual pride are signs of immaturity, not maturity. When we measure ourselves or others by spiritual achievements, we are like children playing dress-up, missing the true freedom and humility that come from the gospel. True spiritual growth is marked by increasing humility and dependence on God, not by self-exaltation. [01:03:30]

- The heart of the gospel is adoption into a close, personal relationship with the Father. The Spirit within us stirs a longing for God Himself, not just for His gifts or approval. Real transformation comes not from guilt or self-effort, but from enjoying God’s presence and crying out, “Abba, Father,” as beloved children. [01:08:57]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[43:28] - Reading Galatians 3:23–4:7
[45:23] - Prayer and Baptism Testimony
[47:24] - The Universal Power of the Law
[50:04] - Shame, Guilt, and Self-Justification
[51:30] - Imprisoned Under the Law
[52:52] - The Law as Guardian (Pedagogos)
[54:26] - Parenting, Rules, and Internalization
[56:27] - From External Law to Internal Delight
[58:33] - Delighting in God’s Law
[59:52] - New Identity: Clothed with Christ
[01:01:12] - No Longer Defined by Old Identities
[01:03:30] - Legalism and Spiritual Immaturity
[01:07:28] - Adoption and Crying “Abba, Father”
[01:10:19] - The Invitation to Delight in God
[01:12:49] - Responding to God’s Love
[01:13:50] - Closing Prayer and Announcements

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Galatians 3:23–4:7 – From Slaves to Sons

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### Bible Reading

- Galatians 3:23–4:7

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### Observation Questions

1. In Galatians 3:23–25, what does Paul say was the purpose of the law before Jesus came? How does he describe our relationship to the law?
2. According to verses 26–27, what changes for us when we put our faith in Christ? What does it mean to be “clothed with Christ”?
3. In verse 28, Paul lists several old identity markers (Jew/Greek, slave/free, male/female). What does he say about these in Christ?
4. In Galatians 4:4–7, what does Paul say God has done for us through Jesus? What is the result of our adoption as sons and daughters?

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon described the law as a “guardian” or “tutor” that was meant to protect and guide us until Christ came. Why do you think God set it up this way, instead of just sending Jesus right away? What does this reveal about God’s heart for us? [[52:52]]
2. The pastor said that legalism and spiritual pride are signs of immaturity, like “children playing dress-up.” Why is it so tempting to measure our faith by what we do or how we compare to others? [[01:03:30]]
3. Paul says that in Christ, we are no longer defined by our background, performance, or social status. How does this new identity challenge the way we see ourselves and others in the church? [[01:01:12]]
4. The Spirit within us cries out, “Abba, Father.” What does it mean to have this kind of relationship with God? How is this different from just following rules or trying to be a “good person”? [[01:08:57]]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon said that every person, even those who have never read the Bible, lives under the weight of the law written on their hearts. Can you think of a time when your conscience accused or excused you? How did you try to deal with that feeling? [[47:24]]
2. The law was described as an external set of rules that God wants to move into our hearts by the Spirit. Are there any “rules” you follow out of habit or guilt, rather than out of love for God? What would it look like for those to become a delight instead of a burden? [[56:27]]
3. The pastor said that legalism and spiritual pride are signs of immaturity. Are there ways you’ve tried to earn God’s favor or compare your spiritual “resume” to others? How does the gospel free you from that? [[01:03:30]]
4. Paul says our identity is now rooted in Christ, not in our background, achievements, or failures. What are some old identity markers you still struggle to let go of? How can you remind yourself this week that you are “clothed with Christ”? [[01:01:12]]
5. The heart of the gospel is adoption—a close, personal relationship with the Father. When was the last time you simply enjoyed God’s presence, not out of duty, but out of delight? What helps you move from striving to resting in your relationship with God? [[01:08:57]]
6. The sermon challenged us to ask, “Have you enjoyed God recently?” What is one practical way you can make space this week to enjoy God—whether through prayer, worship, time in nature, or something else? [[01:11:33]]
7. If you find yourself stuck in shame, guilt, or self-improvement mode, what would it look like to respond to God’s invitation to rest in your adoption as His child? Who can you talk to or pray with about this? [[01:12:49]]

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Close in prayer, asking God to help you rest in your identity as His beloved child and to delight in His presence this week.

Devotional

Day 1: We all begin under the power of the law, whether we know it or not.
Every person, regardless of background or exposure to religious teaching, is born with an innate sense of right and wrong—a moral compass that reflects the law written on our hearts. This internal law both accuses us with guilt and tempts us to excuse our own shortcomings, leaving us trapped in cycles of shame and self-justification. Whether or not we have ever read the Bible or heard of the Ten Commandments, our conscience testifies to our need for a Savior, revealing that we cannot free ourselves from the weight of guilt and pride. Only Jesus can liberate us from this prison, offering true freedom and forgiveness. [47:24]

Romans 2:14-16 (ESV)
For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you most feel the weight of guilt or the urge to justify yourself? Ask God to show you how this reveals your need for Jesus today.


Day 2: The law was our guardian, but God’s desire is to write His law on our hearts.
The law served as a guardian, an external set of rules meant to protect and guide us until we could come to maturity in Christ. Like a child under the care of a trusted tutor, we needed boundaries and discipline, but God’s ultimate plan was always to move from external obedience to internal transformation. Through faith in Jesus, what was once a list of rules becomes a delight written on our hearts, leading us to flourish and find joy in God’s ways—not out of obligation, but out of love and relationship. [56:27]

Jeremiah 31:33 (ESV)
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Reflection: Where do you still relate to God as if He’s only giving you rules to follow? How might you invite Him to write His desires on your heart today?


Day 3: Through faith, we are clothed with Christ and given a new identity.
When we trust in Jesus, we are no longer defined by our failures or our attempts to measure up; instead, we are clothed with Christ’s righteousness and given a new identity as sons and daughters of God. This new identity is not based on our background, achievements, or status, but on what Jesus has done for us. We are invited to put on this new identity daily, leaving behind shame and pride, and living as heirs to God’s promises. [01:01:12]

Galatians 3:26-29 (ESV)
For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

Reflection: What old labels or identities do you need to lay aside so you can fully embrace being clothed with Christ today?


Day 4: Legalism reveals our immaturity and keeps us from true freedom in Christ.
When we measure our spiritual maturity by our own achievements, pride, or comparison with others, we are still living as children under the law, missing the freedom and humility that come from the gospel. Legalism—whether it shows up as shame or as spiritual pride—keeps us from experiencing the fullness of our inheritance as God’s children. True maturity is marked by humility, dependence on God, and a desire to bring Him glory rather than ourselves. [01:07:28]

Galatians 4:1-3 (ESV)
I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.

Reflection: Where do you find yourself comparing your spiritual life to others or taking pride in your own efforts? How can you practice humility and dependence on God today?


Day 5: The gospel brings us into a close, personal relationship with our heavenly Father.
Because of Jesus, we are no longer slaves but beloved sons and daughters, adopted into God’s family and given the Spirit who enables us to cry out, “Abba, Father.” Spiritual maturity is not about building an impressive spiritual resume, but about enjoying God, delighting in His presence, and longing for Him above all else. Guilt and striving cannot transform us, but sitting at the feet of our Father and desiring Him will change our hearts and lives. [01:11:33]

Galatians 4:4-7 (ESV)
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 sons, 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.

Reflection: Set aside a few minutes today to simply sit in God’s presence and enjoy Him as your Father. What do you notice stirring in your heart as you do?

Quotes

We are bearing the weight of the law. Like we are bearing, like we are carrying this shame and this pride simultaneously, and we are imprisoned to it. And so when he says, until the coming faith was revealed, here's what the law, here's what your conscience is declaring to you, whether you're listening to it or not. You're in desperate need of a Savior named Jesus. Because neither can you accuse yourself in the gospel nor excuse yourself. And you're desperately seeking Jesus to free you from the law. [00:52:07] (35 seconds) Edit Clip

For those of you who were baptized in the Christ have been clothed with Christ. Meaning, hey, you have a new identity. Under the old law, here's what's your identity. It was constantly falling short of the law. It was constantly walking in disobedience, disobedience, unrighteousness. And now here's the deal. You and I still walk in disobedience. We're still not very righteous. And yet, when I wake up in the morning, here's what I can do. I can clothe myself with the righteousness of Christ. My identity, I'm an heir, I am a son of God, not because of something I've done, but rather something that's been done for me. And I am now clothed with the righteousness of Christ. Why? Because of what he has done for me on the cross. [01:00:32] (39 seconds) Edit Clip

The gospel does not bring me glory. Me putting on my identity of Christ and our Americanistic, consumeristic Christianity, some of that sounds good if we begin to twist it because it puts me at the center of the gospel. Hear me, the gospel we struggle with, because I told you, whether ashamed or prideful, and here's what the gospel does, it says you are neither because he receives all the glory. You are not guilty, but nor are you to be prideful of what you've done in the kingdom of God. But rather, your identity should only bring glory to God. [01:04:38] (30 seconds) Edit Clip

If I'm abiding and I'm walking and I'm producing fruit, it will only produce more and more humility. It will not produce more pride. And the minute it produces pride in me, can I just say something maybe a little controversial? It is not of God. It is of elements of this world. And I am putting, I've taken off my adult clothes and I've put on my children's clothes. [01:07:15] (22 seconds) Edit Clip

Have you enjoyed God recently? That's it. Have you enjoyed God this week? I'm not asking what you did. I'm not asking where you've been. I'm asking, have you sat at the feet of your heavenly Father who died for you? And have you enjoyed his presence? Is there a longing inside of you for him? Not for what he could bring you, not for the perfect people, not for whatever you fill in the blank. Have you desired him? [01:10:00] (32 seconds) Edit Clip

``What shame and guilt does is it actually puts my hope on my own righteousness. I should be better. Where the gospel says, no, you can never be better. What the gospel does is it recenters and says, you can never be better, but I'm taking your place. So come sit at my table. Come delight in my presence. [01:12:21] (22 seconds) Edit Clip