By Shane Lockard

 A little boy prayed, “How Father, who does art in Heaven, Harold is his name.” Sometimes people get mixed up about who God really is. Thankfully, God never misunderstands who we are. If we’ve committed our lives to him, the Bible says we are God’s children. Paul said, “You are no longer a slave but God’s child” (Galatians 4:7a). Paul’s fellow disciple John said, “What great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1). But there’s more. “Since you are his child, God has made you also an heir” (Galatians 4:7b). God allows us to be part of his family.

Something Undeserved

Galatians 4:3 says, “We were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world.” We were enemies to God and had nothing good to offer him. Yet, in mercy, he gave us what we didn’t deserve: grace, hope, forgiveness, and peace. As heirs, we have the precious promise of Heaven.

Someone Else’s Generosity

“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son” (Galatians 4:4). “For God so loved the world that he gave” (John 3:16). God is a generous God. James said God “gives generously to all without finding fault” (James 1:5).

A Good Steward

Paul wrote, “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2, New King James Version). We’re responsible to be faithful as heirs of God’s promises. 

King David once asked if anyone was left from the house of Saul whom he could bless. A disabled descendant named Mephibosheth was found, and he was brought to David’s palace and allowed to eat at the king’s table. That’s a great picture of what God has done for us. One day, we’ll be able to sit at the King’s table in glory and enjoy the blessings of being heirs of God!

Shane Lockard is the minister of the Zebulon Church of Christ in Pikeville, Kentucky. He and his wife Bethany have three children: Aly, Luke, and Elijah.