Heathen and Christian Conceptions of God
Krummacher. Galatians 4:6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. A Jew entered a Persian temple, and saw there the sacred fire. He said to the priest, "How! do you worship fire?" "Not the fire; it is to us an emblem of the sun and of his animating light," said the priest. Then asked the Jew, "Do you adore the sun as a deity? Do you know that he also is a creature of the Almighty?" The priest explained that the sun was to them only an emblem of the invisible light which preserves all things. The Israelite continued, "Does your nation distinguish the image from the original? They call the sun their god, and kneel before the earthly flame. You dazzle the eye of the body, but darken that of the mind; in presenting to them the terrestrial light you take from them the celestial." The Persian asked, "How do you name the Supreme Being?" "We call Him Jehovah Adonai; that is, the Lord who was, and is, and shall be." "Your word is great and glorious; but it is terrible," said the Persian. A Christian approaching, said, "We call Him Abba, Father." Then the Gentile and the Jew regarded each other with surprise, and said, "Your word is the nearest and the highest; but who gives you courage to call the Eternal thus?" "The Father Himself," replied the Christian; and with that he proceeded to expound to them the plan of redemption. Then they believed, and lifted up their eyes to heaven, saying, "Father, dear Father;" and, joining hands, called each other brethren. (Krummacher.) I. THE SPIRIT SENT. 1. There are Three Persons in the Godhead who are often mentioned together as here (Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 John 5:7). 2. The Spirit is the third Person because He proceeds from the Father and the Son (John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:15, and here). II. WHO SENT HIM? 1. God sent His Son (ver. 4). 2. By the mediation of His Son. He sent the Spirit too (John 16:6, 7; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4; Acts 2:1). III. WHY?, Because ye are sons. 1. All believers are God's sons (John 1:12). 2. There fore, because they believe, and so are His Sons, God gives them His Spirit. IV. WHITHER? Into your hearts. 1. Because the heart is the fountain of life (Proverbs 4:23). 2. The seat of true grace. V. WHAT TO DO? 1. To be a pledge of Christ's presence (John 14:16-18; Matthew 28:20). 2. To teach us all things needful (John 14:26). 3. To guide us into all truth. 4. To comfort us (John 15:26; John 16:7). 5. To seal our redemption (Ephesians 1:13, 14; Ephesians 4:30). 6. To uphold us under all afflictions (Psalm 51:12). 7. To witness our adoption (Romans 8:15, 16). VI. USES. 1. Examine yourselves whether you have this Spirit. (1) He is a convincing Spirit (John 16:9-11) (a) of sin in ourselves, (b) of righteousness in Christ, (c) of Christ's power and judgment to come. (2) A renewing Spirit (Titus 3:5; John 3:3-5). (3) A quickening Spirit (Romans 8:2; John 6:63) (4) A leading Spirit (Romans 8:1, 14). (5) A praying Spirit (Romans 8:15, 26). 2. Use all the means to get the Spirit in your hearts. VII. MOTIVES. Consider — 1. Till then you are not Christ's (Romans 8:9). 2. Can do no good thing (John 15:5; Romans 8:26). 3. Are exposed to all sin. 4. In continual danger of hell. 5. Can have no true comfort. VIII. MEANS. 1. Pray to God for it (Luke 11:13). 2. Frequent all public ordinances (Acts 2:1). (Bishop Beveridge.) Parallel Verses KJV: And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. WEB: And because you are children, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, "Abba, Father!"