From Under to Over | Spiritual Authority: Sons & Daughters

Freedom in Christ changes more than where we will spend eternity. Jesus came so that sons and daughters of God could live differently right now.

In Spiritual Authority: Sons & Daughters | From Under to Over, Pastor Chad Everett continues in Galatians 4:1–7 and challenges us to recognize the areas of our lives where we may still be living under something Jesus has already given us freedom and authority over.

From an Heir to a Mature Son or Daughter

Galatians 4 describes an heir who, while still a child, “does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all.” The inheritance belongs to him, but he has not yet matured enough to live in everything that belongs to him.

In the same way, this can happen spiritually. We can belong to Jesus and still live under attitudes, desires, fears, pride, or patterns that keep us from experiencing freedom in Christ.

God’s invitation to grow is not condemnation. Instead, it is an invitation into greater freedom. Part of that growth requires humility and a willingness to receive the guardians, stewards, correction, wisdom, accountability, and guardrails God uses to help us mature.

What Are You Living Under?

Not everything should have authority over our lives.

To identify what can keep us under, Chad points to 1 John 2 and the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. The lust of the flesh says, “I want what I want.” The lust of the eyes allows what we see to shape our desires and beliefs. The pride of life leads us toward self-reliance and the belief that we can handle life ourselves.

Instead, Jesus showed us another way when He surrendered His will to the Father: “Not My will, but Yours.”

Freedom in Christ means recognizing what has been controlling us and bringing those areas under the authority of Jesus.

The Fullness of Time Has Already Come

Galatians 4:4 says, “When the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son.”

The fullness of time was God’s appointed time for Jesus to come and accomplish redemption. Jesus came. He fulfilled what God had promised. He paid the price for our redemption with His own precious blood.

Because the fullness of time has already come, we do not have to live as though we are waiting for Jesus to accomplish something He has already done.

“We were under, but Jesus came to redeem us and place us over.”

Receive Adoption and Believe What God Says

Jesus came to redeem those who were under the law so that we might receive adoption as sons. Galatians 4 goes on to say that because we are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father.”

Because of what Jesus accomplished, our identity does not depend on how we feel.

Chad challenges us: “Believe over feeling. Faith over feeling.”

Therefore, freedom in Christ calls us to believe what God says even when our emotions, circumstances, or past experiences tell us something different. We are no longer slaves. Through Christ, we are sons and daughters, and if sons and daughters, then heirs.

Ultimately, what is our inheritance?

“You know what your inheritance is? It’s Him. It’s not something from Him. We get Him.”

It’s Time to Come Over

Where are you still living under something Jesus has given you authority over?

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal those areas. When He does, do not hear His conviction as condemnation. Instead, hear His invitation to grow, mature, receive what Jesus has already provided, and experience freedom in Christ.

The fullness of time has already come. Jesus has already paid the price. Now we can receive what He has provided and live from our position as sons and daughters.

“Where we’re under, we got to come over.”

Scripture References
Galatians 4:1–7, 1 John 2:15–17, 1 Peter 1:18–19, Romans 8:2, Luke 10:19