A Secure Identity is Rooted in Grace not Performance

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 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 4:4-7 

Context Matters

“But when the set time had fully come…”

The word “but” is usually not a great way to begin any discussion. Its inclusion at the start of a sentence points to a preceding statement that provides the required context to fully grasp the speaker’s message. Let’s take the fictional story below to illustrate this:

Sentence without context: 

• But the astronaut’s triumphant smile faded as he gazed upon the desolate landscape of his new home.

Preceding context:

• After years of preparation and a grueling journey across the cosmos, the astronaut had finally reached Mars. He emerged from the landing module, eager to plant the first human footprint on the Red Planet.

Sentence with context:

• After years of preparation and a grueling journey across the cosmos, the astronaut had finally reached Mars. He emerged from the landing module, eager to plant the first human footprint on the Red Planet. But the astronaut’s triumphant smile faded as he gazed upon the desolate landscape of his new home.

Without context, the story is a puzzling fragment. We’re left scrambling for clues, wondering what triumphant arrival could be met with such disappointment.

Then, the scene unfolds. We learn of years of preparation, a grueling journey, and the thrill of reaching a new world. The astronaut’s initial excitement fills us with anticipation. The desolate landscape shatters our expectations, forcing us to re-evaluate the narrative. The same can be said if we read the preceding context without its conclusion.

This simple example underscores the power of context. It’s the bridge between isolated pieces of information, transforming them into a cohesive whole. Without it, we’re left with dangling threads, unable to weave them into a meaningful tapestry.

I emphasize the “but” in this sentence to shift our approach to reading the bible. There is an immediate context and/or a larger context for understanding the message of Jesus Christ. When we grasp the larger context (or grand theme) of the Bible, then “difficult” verses soften their edges, while “easy” ones glisten with newfound meaning.

Coming of Age

So what’s the context here? Paul illustrates a child who is heir to an estate. This child cannot receive his inheritance because he has not “come of age” and is “no different from a slave.” While he waits for the time set by his father, the child will be “subject to guardians and trustees.”  The third verse says that “when we were underage, we were in slavery…” (see Galatians 4:3). Before the Son of God came into our lives, we were underaged, held by the chains of sin, “under the elemental spiritual forces”. But when the time set by the Father had fully come, Jesus entered our world, both in history and in our experience (of the new birth). So, this verse clarifies the illustration: that we (just like the young heir) were slaves and were “under the law” (and spiritual elements) and could not receive our inheritance. 

Notice that the child does not receive the inheritance when he shows maturity via his performance. No, it is when “he comes of age”. That is, he only receives the inheritance not by his works but by something outside his control. The word when introduces the concept of time. Time is something outside of our control; it emphasizes our humanity. It is the great leveler; having all the wealth in this world does not imbue a person with more control of time than the poverty-stricken single mother. Yes, a person may have relatively more time due to their circumstances. However, technically no one has more time in one day than another.

Time here points us to the glorious grace of God. Even more than time, Grace is outside the control of mankind. It is given without discrimination; the morally outstanding are not more deserving of it than those considered immorally reprehensible. So, the illustration is given to capture:

1. the condition of all human beings, and
2. how the grace of God causes us to “come of age” (or exit the slave status).

Let’s explore how the Grace of God did this.

Performance vs God’s Grace

“God sent His Son…”

We “come of age” through the Son and His merits. God’s unconditional love brought the Son to us, as a human being, to redeem us from “under the law”. To be “born under the law” is the condition of all mankind. It is (at its most basic level) a system under which a person depends on his or her performance to be loved and accepted. Under this system, a person draws their value from their works and achievements. To those under this system, relationships (with people and God) are transactional. I obey, therefore, God must bless me; I love her because she treats me well; “an eye, for an eye.” 

Jesus, the Son of God, redeems us from under the law (or pays the costly price for our slavery to this system). He does not only embark on this rescue mission and leave us to fend for ourselves. No, He also brought us into God’s family and has made Sons. The word “sonship” might make the modern reader cringe. Some might accuse the bible (and, therefore, its Author) of being anti-women. But this is far from the truth.

Again context matters. Imagine being a woman in that culture and time, listening as this truth was proclaimed. Only sons could receive an inheritance (even the analogy alludes to this fact by assuming that the heir was male). Daughters were disqualified by default, while sons (by no effort on their part) qualified. So when Paul says Jesus died “that we might receive the adoption to sonship”, he was making a revolutionary, counter-cultural statement. The gospel announces that God has made women equal to men in Christ Jesus; what men receive in Christ, women likewise receive. Women are heirs, joint heirs with Christ. The gospel shows us that God is more pro-woman than the most devout feminist could ever be. 

“Because you are sons…”

Our sonship points to the glory of the grace of Jesus Christ. A son does not choose his parents; he did not contribute to his birth. As most parents know, a son is your child not because of what they do, but because of who they are. In the same way, it is because of grace that God sends the Holy Spirit into our hearts. We are sons because of the redemptive work of the Son, and we receive the Holy Spirit into our hearts because Jesus made us sons. The precious gift of the Holy Spirit is given to us because of the merit of Jesus Christ, not our performance. 

The gospel announces that God has made women equal to men in Christ Jesus; what men receive in Christ, women likewise receive. Women are heirs, joint heirs with Christ. The gospel shows us that God is more pro-woman than the most devout feminist could ever be. 

Standing on Grace

“So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child…”

The illustration shows that Jesus, through His redemptive work, has brought us “of age”. We are now God’s sons and no longer slaves. There is no other identity I would rather have. All other identities are insecure and transient. This is the identity that Jesus, the Son, has brought to us. It is the goal of redemption: “God sent his Son…to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship” – Galatians 4:4-5. I pray God imparts this truth into your heart, or else the identity crisis will continue. This is the simplicity of Christ. You are redeemed for sonship.

Building your identity on shifting sands is risky. If I root my identity in my profession, what happens if I lose my job or am unable to continue my career because of an unforeseen life event? Careers vanish, achievements fade, and relationships change. A secure identity lies not in titles, roles, or successes, but in being a beloved child of God. Anchor your soul in that truth, and weather any storm life throws. You will thrive in all seasons of life when you stand on the grace that Jesus offers us via sonship.

Let me clarify the point I am trying to make: the gospel announces that being a child of God is our only secure identity. As God’s children, we are unconditionally loved and so there is nothing else to prove. All of the Son’s merits and accolades are now ours in Christ. No achievement will make God’s love toward you increase and vice versa. We rest from all of our work. The crushing burden imposed by being under the Law is removed. We no longer need to perform to be seen by anyone. We now live for the audience of One. God’s loving gaze is now sufficient and we are enough. What is more precious than being loved by God?

the gospel announces that being a child of God is the only secure identity available to us. As God’s children we are unconditionally loved and so there is nothing else to prove.

Grace Compels Obedience

This has implications for how we live in obedience to God. The slave is motivated to obey and do well because it is his duty. His identity is rooted in his performance. The son, on the other hand, obeys because he is loved by God. He sees how costly redemption is and is motivated by this incredible love to obey. For the slave, if there is no punishment or reward, then obedience is unnecessary. His obedience, though externally correct, is internally self-motivated. It is an obedience that asks “What’s in it for me?” The obedience of a son, however, is pure and centered on Christ. He asks for nothing in return for his obedience. He obeys because his affection has been won by the perfect obedience of the Son that was sent. A son loves because God first loved him, and therefore, he obeys.

Think about it, how did Paul consistently try to get the churches to obey? To arrest the stinginess among the Corinthian believers Paul did not resort to fear-mongering or bogus tactics. Instead, he pointed them to the Grace of Jesus Christ (see 2 Corinthians 8:1-15; 9:1-15).

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. - 2 Corinthians 8:9

I am aware that there are multiple interpretations of this verse; you might be as well. Again, the concept of immediate and larger context is necessary. Paul is not saying Jesus died to make you materially rich. Any gospel that alludes to this is false. Many of the believers in Jerusalem and the Macedonian churches he referred to in verses 1 and 2 were in poverty. You don’t need to worship and serve Jesus to be materially wealthy.

Paul was reminding the believers of the grace of Jesus Christ. He was essentially saying: “Remember what Jesus did for you? He did not give His life when you deserved it or when it was convenient for Him. Think of how undeserving you are and yet Jesus gave it all up for you. Can you not return a fraction of that grace? Can you not give away your material things to help others just as He helped you? See that you excel in this.” Time and again, Paul would point the churches to what Jesus had done for them to address a particular issue in their communities¹.

A clear understanding of God’s grace must produce fruit. Obedience from the heart is compelled when we grasp how undeserving we are, how worthy Jesus is, and how accepted we are in Christ Jesus. “We love (and therefore obey) because He first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19 paraphrased.

1. I hope to expand on this in a future blog post. ↩︎