What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 4:1-7 (New International Version, NIV)

We must mature to take full possession of our inheritance in Christ. True, we are heirs of God and joint (fellow) heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). However, as long as we stay as a child and don’t mature in Christ, we are no different than a slave.

Sons were in line to inherit that which was the father’s. For example, the father’s business went to the sons. Yet, until they reached maturity, they were under tutors and were subordinate- just as slaves were. Under Roman law, a child had the same status as a slave, although they were heir to it all. Minors were under guardians, or trustees, until the time set by their father.

Since we have come to Christ, we too have an inheritance. Since we are sons (and this includes female believers), not menial slaves, we have more rights than slaves. Note that according to Romans 1:1, we are doulos, which means sons that serve. God has made each of us His heir. Now, Father God waits, watches, and works with us so we mature and see the manifestation of all that’s written in the will (His Word). As we mature, we can claim our inheritance and receive all that’s ours.

The more we mature, the more we see the manifestation of our inheritance in Christ. If we remain in the baby stage, we’ll remain under guardians and trustees and tutors. If we mature, God can entrust us with more and more of our inheritance. He gives us what we can handle. God’s not going to give us something that will destroy us, but only what will enhance our lives for Him.

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, Romans 1:1 (KJV)

Paul, an apostle, chose to be a servant, totally dependent on God. As sons, we serve. As we serve, we mature to be used and made usable by God.

As sons, we are not slaves who are subject to bondage. But, as sons, we choose to be servants who serve Father God out of love for Him. As we mature in Christ, God can freely give us all things that Christ died to purchase for us. As the body of Christ, let’s choose to do what is needed to grow up in Christ, so we can receive what is ours in the Lord. It is maturity that brings manifestation.