How did Paul prove to the Galatians that Christians are children of God?

Answer Details

How Paul proved to the Galatians that Christians are children of God (Galatians 3:23 - 4:7)

Paul argued against those who insisted that Gentile believers must keep the Law of Moses to be accepted by God. He proved that all who believe in Christ, whether Jew or Gentile, are already the children of God through faith, not through the Law.

• Sonship comes through faith in Christ, not the Law: Paul declared, "You are all sons of God, through faith in Christ Jesus." Before faith came, people were held captive under the Law, kept under restraint. The Law served as a custodian (schoolmaster/paidagogos) to lead them to Christ, that they might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, they are no longer under the custodian.
• Baptism into Christ makes them one: All who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. In Him there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for all are one in Christ Jesus. And if they belong to Christ, then they are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise.
• From slaves to sons and heirs: Paul used the illustration of an heir who, while still a child, is no different from a slave, being under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. Likewise, while they were children, they were enslaved to the elemental spirits of the world.
• God sent His Son to redeem them: But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, so that they might receive adoption as sons.
• The Spirit of the Son confirms sonship: As proof that they are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into their hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" The very presence of the Holy Spirit prompting them to address God as Father is evidence of their adoption.
• Sons and therefore heirs: Paul concluded, "So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God."

Thus Paul proved through faith, baptism into Christ, God's redemptive act of adoption, and the witness of the indwelling Holy Spirit that Christians are truly the children of God and heirs of His promise.