福音的重要信息：作神兒女（二）
加拉太書三章26節至四章7節
26所以，你們因信基督耶穌都是神的兒子。
27你們受洗歸入基督的都是披戴基督了。
28並不分猶太人、希臘人，自主的、為奴的，或男或女，因為你們在基督耶穌裡都成為一了。
29你們既屬乎基督，就是亞伯拉罕的後裔，是照著應許承受產業的了。
1我說那承受產業的，雖然是全業的主人，但為孩童的時候卻與奴僕毫無分別，
2乃在師傅和管家的手下，直等他父親預定的時候來到。
3我們為孩童的時候，受管於世俗小學之下，也是如此。
4及至時候滿足，神就差遣他的兒子，為女子所生，且生在律法以下，
5要把律法以下的人贖出來，叫我們得著兒子的名分。
6你們既為兒子，神就差他兒子的靈進入你們（原文作我們）的心，呼叫：阿爸！父！
7可見，從此以後，你不是奴僕，乃是兒子了；既是兒子，就靠著神為後嗣。
信息分享
保羅引用這個傳統來提醒我們，當我們重生進入神的家，我們立即便擁有神為我們所預備的一切。我們或許要在基督裡逐漸成長，才知道我們擁有甚麼，但那一切，卻在我們重生的那一刻便屬於我們。
保羅還用了另一個詞「收納」，來幫助我們明白作神兒女的意思；不過，它比我們今天所理解的有更深一層的意思。
神並非依據冰冷的法律條文來收納我們作祂的兒女；反之，祂是用一顆慈愛的心來接納我們。祂使我們作祂的兒女，並竭盡所能地將祂的生命和性情給予我們。祂希望我們能擁有祂的樣式，並希望我們能確知我們是祂的兒女。羅馬書八章16至17節指出：「聖靈與我們的心同證我們是神的兒女。既是兒女，便是後嗣，就是神的後嗣，和基督同作後嗣。如果我們和祂一同受苦，也必和祂一同得榮耀。」
反思：
我們如今已是神的兒女，已擁有作神兒女的一切權利，將來還會承受更好的產業（約壹三2、3）。但問題是：我們每天的生活，是否活出神兒女的應有樣式呢？或是只在星期日才表現得像神的兒女？
GREAT WORDS OF THE GOSPEL SONSHIP (2)
Galatians 3:26 to 4:7
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
1 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all,
2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father.
3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world.
4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”
7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Message
We usually make very little distinction between the use of the words 'child' and 'son'. In the days of the early church there was a marked difference. 'Sons' were those who had become of age. Often a special ceremony was held, similar to a 21st birthday party today. From there on the son was entitled to all the privileges of an adult.
Paul made use of that custom to remind us that when we were born into the family of God, we immediately had access to all that God had planned for us. We may grow in our knowledge of what is ours in Christ, but it all belongs to us the moment we are born again.
Paul also used another word to help us understand what our sonship means. It is the word 'adoption' but again it has a deeper meaning than what may be given to it today.
Our adoption as 'sons of God' is not a cold legal document or decision. It is a warm-hearted acceptance of us by God Himself. He takes us as His children and does what adopting parents cannot do, He gives us His life and His nature. He wants to stamp the family likeness on us. He wants us to know in reality that we are truly His sons. Romans 8:16-17 says, 'The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.'
TODAY'S THOUGHT: We are sons now - but it will always be better ahead. (I John 3:2, 3) The question is: Do we really act like God's sons or daughters everyday? Or only on Sundays?