But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.

Galatians 4:4-7

Identity based on this scripture looks very different than identity based on accomplishments, achievements or accolades. Let’s unpack it a bit.

At just the right time, God sent his son. Initiated by him, this cost him everything and us nothing.

He did this so that he could buy our freedom from slavery and adopt us into the family. Isn’t that amazing? We are adopted into the royal family. We aren’t brought in to do the dirty work or to be slaves in his home. We are adopted to be his children.

And because we are his children, he gave us the same Spirit the Son has, allowing us to cry out Daddy, Father! Meditate on that truth for a minute! We have the SAME SPIRIT that lived in Jesus. That is powerful!

He didn’t bring us in as partial children, but full-blooded children with rights equal to natural born children. We have a full inheritance, along with Jesus.

Take a moment to ponder this amazing truth! What does an identity formed around this sound like? This is what it sounds like for me:

I am a child of God – set free, deeply loved, adopted into the family. I am filled with the same spirit Jesus has and I am an heir with full rights to the family fortune.

And he did it because he wanted me in the family!