Notice that the scripture above doesn't say, "That the heir, when he is a child;" rather, it says, "...the heir, as long as he is a child...." The reference isn't to an infant, in terms of age. The Apostle Paul is dealing with maturity here. The word "child" is translated from the Greek "népios," which means someone who's a child mentally and spiritually; a child in understanding, in wisdom and most importantly, in communication; one who doesn't communicate rightly.

 

Secondly, the word translated "servant" means "slave." Thus, an heir, as long as he's a "népios" (immature), he's not different from a slave, though he owns the entire inheritance. He'll be buffeted by the crises and adversities of life until he comes to maturity, and learns to exercise dominion over circumstances and negative forces of life.

 

Yes, the Lord Jesus has saved us and made us one with Himself. He's made us associates of the God-kind! He brought us out of darkness, into His marvelous light. We're heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).

 

However, until and unless these and other results of His vicarious sacrifice on your behalf become your present-hour consciousness, you'll live as a victim in life. Galatians 4:3 says, "Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world." How sad! This only happens to the "népios." God's will for you is to live triumphantly every day by His Word, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

No wonder He says, "...grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ..." (2 Peter 3:18). He wants you to come up to maturity so you can tame circumstances and exercise dominion over Satan, sickness, defeat, sin, poverty, and all the works of darkness. He wants you to control your life and circumstances, through His Word; that's His will and grace for your life. So, grow up, be in charge, and in control!